Although nature provides many flowers in various colors, some of the beautiful colored flowers seen at weddings, florists, and high-quality pictures in magazines are sometimes colored. Whether you're working with fresh flowers, dried flowers, or silk flowers, you can create perfectly colored flowers, to your liking, at home using several different coloring methods.
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Method 1 of 5: Coloring Fresh Flowers with Food Coloring
Step 1. Choose your flowers
The process of coloring fresh flowers involves adding dye to the water and waiting for the flowers to absorb the water. The dye will be absorbed by your flowers so it is best to choose brightly colored flowers. Popular flower choices include roses, daisies, orchids, chrysanthemums and Daucus carota but you can also try all kinds of other pale flowers.
Step 2. Choose the color you want
Specify the color you want. If you use liquid food coloring, you can mix the colors together to get the color you want. Usually, food coloring is available in yellow, red, green, and blue, but you can mix these colors to create other colors. Alternatively, you can use powdered floral absorption dye.
Step 3. Prepare your colored water
Fill a vase with enough warm water to soak the flower stalks. Add flower food and coloring to the water. There is no right or wrong way to add dye; the more dye you add, the lighter the flower will be, the less dye, the weaker the color will be.
Step 4. Prepare your flowers
Before placing your flowers in the colored water, you will need to cut the stems. Use pruning shears or sharp scissors to cut 2.5 - 5 cm of flower stalks at a 45 degree angle. At this point, remove any extra leaves you don't want. This will optimize water absorption, thereby speeding up the overall time it takes for your flowers to change color.
After getting your flowers, you can leave them in a waterless state for a few hours. The flowers will become thirsty and once you cut the stems, place them in your dye solution and they will absorb the color pretty quickly
Step 5. Place your flowers in the water and wait
Place your bouquet of flowers in the prepared vase. The color won't show on the petals immediately, but it won't last too long either. Depending on the flower, it may take 1 - 6 hours for the flowers to change color nicely. The longer you leave your flowers in the color water, the darker the final color will be.
Step 6. Remove your flowers from the dye solution
Cut back the flower stalks and place the flowers in a vase filled with warm water and flower food. To keep the flowers looking fresh, you should change the water in the vase at least every two days, as well as adding flower food each time. The dye in the flowers will not wear off until the flowers eventually wilt and die.
Method 2 of 5: Coloring Fresh Flowers with Dyes
Step 1. Purchase floral dyes
To dye fresh flowers using dyes, you will need to use special dyes from a florist. These dyes can be purchased online and at some grocery florists. Your florist can order this dye for you. Usually, these dyes come in ten colors, but you can easily mix them to get the color you want.
Step 2. Choose your flowers
Since you'll be coating the outside of the petals with the dye instead of being absorbed by the flower, you can use almost any color and flower species. However, dyestuffs are not completely opaque, so keep in mind that white/pale flowers will be light and bold, while dark flowers will be dark and rich. Choose flowers that are in full bloom so each petal can be colored easily.
You can make very dark flowers by using flowers that are already dark in color from the start; a red flower dipped in purple dye will turn dark purple, for example
Step 3. Prepare your dye
Pour your dye into a small bowl or bucket - any container with a wide rim will do. For a lighter color, add isotropic alcohol to your dye mix. Place a sheet of newspaper or plastic under the container, to prevent the dye from dripping on your work area.
Step 4. Dip your flowers in the dye
Hold the flower by the end of the stem, upside down, so that the flower bud is facing downwards. Dip the flower in the dye, and hold it in the dye for a few seconds, making sure each petal is exposed to the dye. Then, remove the flower from the dye and wash it with clean water. Avoid shaking freshly colored flowers. Otherwise, you will end up with irresistible stains on yourself and your work area.
Step 5. Place the flowers in a vase filled with warm water and flower food
Place the vase in a safe and protected area until the flowers are dry enough to touch. It is very important to allow the flowers to dry completely before touching them. Otherwise, the dye will transfer from the flowers to your hands, clothes, and furniture, and become a stain.
Step 6. Repeat the process
Follow the steps outlined above for each flower in your bouquet, until they are all colored. If the flowers are not as dark/bright as you would like them to be, you can dip them back in the dye a second time and allow them to dry for a firmer color.
Method 3 of 5: Coloring Fresh and Dried Flowers with Dye Spray
Step 1. Purchase a floral dye spray
Floral dye sprays are very similar to spray paint, except that they are made in such a way that they stick to the petals and don't kill fresh flowers. Floral dye sprays (or floral spray paints) are available in a variety of colors, and are safe to use on both fresh and dried flowers. Keep in mind that spraying a bouquet of flowers with floral spray paint can be quite messy.
Step 2. Choose your flowers
The dye spray is opaque when applied, and will completely cover the color of the petals underneath. Therefore, you can use any color, shape, or species of flower you want.
Step 3. Prepare your workplace
Using a dye spray is a messy activity, so it's important to set up a dedicated work area to do it. Go to a well-ventilated area - such as a garage or patio - and lay out a sheet of plastic or newspaper. Wear rubber gloves and an old shirt that you don't mind getting dirty and stained.
Step 4. Prepare the dye spray
In the closed position, shake the can of dye spray for 20-30 seconds. Open the cap and twist the tip so the black dot is facing the direction you want to spray.
Step 5. Spray your flowers
Hold each flower individually, with the flower bud facing away from you. With your other hand, hold the dye spray 38.1 - 45.7 cm from the flower bud. Press the tip of the sprayer to spray the dye, rotating the flower as you spray so that the flower is evenly colored. Spray the flowers until they are completely covered in paint evenly.
Step 6. Set the flowers aside to dry
Place the freshly painted flowers in a vase or other container that will keep the flowers upright. The dye will take about 1-3 hours to dry, depending on the temperature and humidity. Do not touch the flowers until they are completely dry. Otherwise, the dye will stick to your hands and clothes.
Place the flowers in a warm, dry place to dry faster
Step 7. Repeat this process for all the other flowers
Continue working on your entire bouquet, spraying each flower individually, then placing them in a vase to dry. You can add several coats of color to the flowers if you are not happy with the density and brightness of the color.
Method 4 of 5: Using Fabric Dye for Dried Flowers
Step 1. Choose your fabric dye
Fabric dye will successfully color any type of flower, but because the process involves boiling water and strong chemicals, it will spoil fresh flowers. However, if you have dried flowers that you want to lighten up again, you can use fabric dye to do so. Choose any powder or liquid fabric dye; all usually use the same process of mixing the dye with boiling water. Keep in mind that you can choose how light or dark your flowers are based on how long you leave them in the dye.
Step 2. Choose your dried flowers
Colored flowers tend to be brown in color, which makes them a little more difficult to color. Therefore, you should look for brightly colored flowers, as dark flowers are too dark to be dyed effectively. White, cream, and bright blue flowers are best for this. Popular dried flowers that can be used include hydrangeas, Gypsophila, and roses. Keep in mind that your flowers need to dry completely for at least 2 weeks before coloring.
Avoid damaged or discolored flowers, as the damage / discoloration will still be visible even after coloring
Step 3. Prepare your dye
Each brand of dye will vary slightly in terms of instructions, but will involve mixing the dye with an equal amount of boiling water. While the dye is boiling, keep a sheet of plastic or newspaper in the work area to prevent the dye from dripping on your clothes or desk.
Step 4. Dip the flowers one by one in the dye
Hold one dried flower by the stem so that it is pointing downwards. Gently dip the flowers into the dye, and air dry for 5-10 seconds. Pick it up and notice the color; if you like the color, set the flower aside. If not, dip the flowers in the dye again until you reach the color you want, often lifting them from the dye solution to check the color.
Step 5. Hang the flowers to dry
Using a clothesline or drying rack, hang your flowers one by one with the flowers facing down to allow them to dry completely. Place the flowers in a warm, dry room for the fastest drying time; leave it for at least 24 hours before using the flowers for decoration.
Method 5 of 5: Coloring Silk Flowers
Step 1. Prepare your ingredients
Silk flowers cannot be dyed using fabric dyes, because silk fabrics cannot be boiled. While you can try using food coloring, it will likely wash off the fabric because it's not permanent. The greatest success in dyeing silk flowers is with acrylic paints. Therefore, you will need a tube of acrylic paint in the color of your choice, a medium container of gel, and water.
Step 2. Prepare your flowers
Depending on the type of silk flower you're using, you may need to prepare it a bit first. If there are stamens in the center of your flower, you will need to use painters tape to cover it to prevent staining. Any other areas that you don't want to paint should also be covered with painters tape.
Step 3. Make your acrylic dye
To make a dye to color your silk flowers, mix 2 parts acrylic paint with 1 part gel medium. Use a mixing stick or spoon to mix it properly, then add a little water to thin the mixture. The amount of water you need to add to the mixture will depend on how bright you want the dye to be; the more water you add, the paler the final color will be. When you're done mixing, pour the dye into a bowl or wide-brimmed container, and place the newspaper underneath to prevent the dye from dripping onto the floor.
Step 4. Color your flowers
Dip a flower in the dye, and hold it until the flower is completely dyed. Carefully remove the flower from the dye, using the stem or tweezers (if it is not stemmed), and place it on top of the newspaper. Use tissue paper to wipe the flowers and remove excess dye. Then, let the flowers dry on the newspaper for 2-3 hours.
Step 5. Repeat the process
Color all your flowers by following the steps described earlier. After the flowers have dried for about 3 hours, remove any painters tape you used.
