5 Ways to Make Dried Flowers

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 10:50

Do you still want to decorate your house with flowers even when the plants are not blooming? You can dry your favorite flowers at home. There are many ways to dry flowers, and part of the fun of the activity is experimenting to find the best drying method for each type of flower.

Step

Method 1 of 5: Air Drying Flowers

Step 1. Pick flowers

Most of the best air drying (aerated) is when the flowers are just starting to bloom. The flower will continue to bloom slightly as it dries, and a fully opened flower will lose its petals. This drying method works best for small, vigorous flower types, such as lavender or larkspur/delphinium/dolphin flowers.

After drying, the condition of wilting and damage by pests becomes more pronounced. Choose only flowers that are in the best conditions, and pick extras just in case something goes wrong

Step 2. Prepare the flowers in several bundles

Remove all leaves from each stalk. Separate the flowers by type, then make several knots of up to 10 flower stalks each. Optionally, larger flowers such as hydrangeas/hortensias, roses, and peonies should be dried individually.

The strawflower/helichrysum (perennial gold) and some other species have weak stems that will break if dried. Alternatively, cut the stem and thread the wire, which is usually sold in flower shops, through the base of the flower

Step 3. Tie the end of each flower bundle with a rubber band

Wrap a large rubber band around two or three stalks, then loop it several times around the entire bundle, then finish by wrapping it around the other two or three stalks. When dry, the flower stalks will shrink, but the rubber band will still hold tightly to the entire bundle.

The rubber band should not press so hard that it will fold the stem; These folds can create damp pockets and make them rot. If you're concerned about this, alternatively tie the stalk bundle with twine or raffia string. You may need to re-tie the yarn halfway through the drying process

Step 4. Hang the flower ties upside down

Store in a dry, dark and warm place to prevent spoilage and minimize color fading. Air circulation helps the flowers dry and prevents mold from growing, so keep the bundles in an area with good cross ventilation, at least 15 cm below the ceiling.

You can hang flowers on hooks, nails, or clothes hangers. An easy way to do this is to bend a paperclip (clip) in an S shape. Insert one end under the rubber band, and the other end through the hook

Step 5. Wait 2–4 weeks

The process is complete when the flower petals feel dry to the touch. Sometimes a bunch of flowers may take longer than four weeks, usually because room conditions are not ideal or the petals are an unusual thickness.

Flower stalks are usually dry in a straight state. If you want a more natural curve, soak the flower stalks in warm water until they become soft. Bend the stem as desired, and hold the stem in that position with a weight until the flower is dry again

Step 6. Preserve the flower with hairspray (optional)

A thin aerosol spray of hairspray or floral sealer will stabilize the shape of the flower. The spray will make the flowers not easily broken or drop their petals.

Method 2 of 5: Using a Microwave and Moisture Absorbing Material

Step 1. Select the flowers to be dried

Microwave drying works best for flowers that have multiple petals that are not hairy or sticky. Roses, paper flowers (zinnia) and mitir/kenikir (marigolds) are all good choices, but some varieties with thick petals may not work. Pick flowers when they are still half blooming and strong, before the petals start to fall.

For this method, cut the flower stalks rather short, about 2.5–5 cm

Step 2. Tie the flower with wire (optional)

The flower stalks will become soft again after the microwave drying process. If you want to tie a flower to arrange it, thread 0.51–0.81 mm (20–24 gauge European/American wire) wire through the base of the flower, then wrap the wire in a spiral around the flower stalk.

If the flower doesn't have a thick base, thread the wire through the center of the flower and into the stem. Push the wire down as far as you can to keep it out of sight

Step 3. Sprinkle moisture-absorbing material into a microwave-safe container

A desiccant is any material that has the ability to absorb moisture. Silica gel is the best choice for flowers with delicate colorful petals, but alternatively you can also use clay/clay cat litter, or a 50/50 mix of borax and cornstarch. Place the absorbent material into the container to a depth of about 2.5–5cm.

Step 4. Bury the flower under a moisture-absorbing material

Be careful to position the flowers so that they are facing the right direction, with a minimum distance of 2cm between the flowers. Gently sprinkle more absorbent material over the flower to bury it.

Use a toothpick to rearrange the petals if they tend to deviate from their shape.
Just start with one or two flowers, just in case they end up burning. This will make it easier for you to learn how much material is needed to dry each flower.

Step 5. Place a cup of water in the microwave. A cup of water in a shallow container placed separately absorbs a small amount of microwave energy. This will most likely reduce the risk of accidental burning or overdrying.

Step 6. Turn on the microwave. Place the container in the microwave and heat for 2 minutes. Poke the moisture absorbent material with a toothpick to see if the flowers have dried. If not, reheat flowers in 1 minute intervals, check afterwards.

This step can take a lot of trial and error, as there are so many variations between flowers and the microwave. Some thin flowers like daisies work best on a low-temperature microwave setting, slightly above defrost-the compressor shuts off (warms up) in the refrigerator to remove the frost. Other types of flowers that have lots of thick petals need up to 8 minutes on high temperature settings

Step 7. Refrigerate for one day

Remove the container from the microwave. Cover the container, leave the container with the lid slightly ajar, and let it rest for 24 hours. Moisture-absorbing materials (especially silica gel) take a long time to cool to a safe temperature.

Alternatively, let the dahlias, pansies and peonies stand for 36 hours. The larger and thicker the flower, such as a rose or carnation, the process will take at least 10 hours to complete.
Keep the flower out of reach of children or animals (pets).

Step 8. Brush off the moisture-absorbing material

When the container has cooled, press gently to reveal the flowers. Push the flower carefully, and support it from below. Clean the flowers with a soft brush.

Optionally, preserve the flowers with hairspray or floral coating

Method 3 of 5: Pressing Flowers

Step 1. Choose the flower you want

Pressing gives the best results when applied to small, flat flower types, such as pansies and lilacs. Avoid fat-stemmed or very thick-petaled flowers, which can end up spoiling.

Step 2. Place the flowers on dry paper

Place the flowers on a matte paper - a dull type of printing paper - that is not glossy, such as newsprint, cardboard, or tissue paper. Arrange the flowers in a single layer, then cover the top with another dry paper.

The more absorbent the paper you use the better the results. Try placing the flowers between the newsprint, then the newsprint between the blotting paper-oil, ink, etc.-and finally the blotting paper between the cardboard/corrugated cardboard. Secure the entire pile with adhesive tape

Step 3. Press the flowers

Place the flower under a large object that weighs evenly. A dictionary or an encyclopedia are two good choices, but you can also use a heavy box or a piece of wood.

Store the pile in a dry and warm place

Step 4. Wait about 1-3 weeks

After the first week, remove the flowers and replace the paper with a new sheet that is still dry. Then, put the flower back under the weights and continue pressing.

Step 5. Remove the ballast

After the flowers have been in the pile for a few weeks, remove the weights as well as the paper and take the flowers. As a matter of fact, the flower is dry and paper-thin, and also transparent/translucent.

Method 4 of 5: Drying Flowers in a Convection Oven

Step 1. Prepare the flowers

Cut enough finely chopped chicken wire or gauze to hold all the flowers together. Then, push the stem through the wire hole, so the bud will support the flower body while the stalk hangs down.

The types of flowers that are best for the oven drying process are those that have many petals and are compact. This includes cornflowers (a flower plant native to Europe that has many species with colorful flowers) and chrysanthemums/chrysanthemums

Step 2. Preheat the oven on low for a few hours

With a convection oven at 100ºF (Note: ovens are usually Fahrenheit in scale. If your oven is Celsius then 100ºF is roughly 38ºC), place the wire filled flowers on the oven rack. The low heat will slowly dry the flowers; so leave the flowers in the oven for a few hours. The total drying time will vary depending on the type and number of flowers you are drying.

A convection oven with good air circulation will do the best. Don't do this in a regular oven. Regular ovens contain too much moisture and usually have a minimum temperature much higher than 38ºC

Step 3. Remove the flowers from the oven

As soon as the flowers are completely dry, you can take them out of the oven and set them on a drying rack for cooling. Wait for all the flowers to return to room temperature (±20-25ºC) before removing them.

Use hairspray or floral coating to make dried flowers stronger and last longer

Method 5 of 5: Burying Flowers in Moisture Absorbing Material

Step 1. Choose the flowers you like

Soaking flowers in a moisture-absorbing material is the best way to dry delicate flowers like lilies, as long as they don't shed their petals too easily. Ideally, pick the flowers when they are about halfway through, and dry them as soon as possible.

Step 2. Choose a desiccant. Moisture absorbers are special suction materials, which will slowly absorb water from the flowers. To be effective, any moisture-absorbing material you choose must be completely dry. Here are some of the most popular selections of moisture-absorbing materials:

Silica gel: the quickest option, available at gardening supply stores. Although more expensive, silica gel can be used over and over again (see Tips below!).
Borax and white cornstarch: a light and inexpensive option. Mix equal amounts, or at least 1 part borax to 6 parts cornstarch-this mixture shouldn't make much difference.
Fine sand: this material is useful for supporting flower shapes; let the air dry. Fine sand is the slowest material, but sometimes also the cheapest.

Step 3. Add iodized salt (optional)

Some people claim that salt helps maintain the color of flower petals, although not everyone agrees. Try it with 3 tablespoons of salt for every 0.9 liters of other ingredients (15 ml per liter).

Step 4. Select the appropriate container

If you have a large amount of material, get a container that can hold all the stalks in an upright position. Most people save on materials and cut the flower stalks, allowing the flowers to fit into shallow containers. Different materials require slightly different settings:

For silica gel, use an airtight, sealable container. A coffee jar is a great choice for a flower.
For borax and sand, use an open container. Cardboard boxes are relatively ideal, but first check the bottom for holes.

Step 5. Soak the flowers in a moisture-absorbing material

Sprinkle the absorbent material you prepared into the container to a depth of 2.5–5 cm. Place the flowers in the absorbent material in an upright position facing up, making sure the flowers are in a stable position. Sift or gently sprinkle more moisture-absorbing material over the surface of the flower, until the flower is buried.

If you use sand, you don't need to completely bury the flower. Most of the sand is useful for supporting the flower, while exposure to air will help dry the entire petal.
Alternatively, flowers from the daisy family are best dried upside down. For some types of flowers, such as snapdragons-flowers that look like skulls-and larkspur/delphinium/dolphins, drying is best placed horizontally.
If the flower stalks are still stuck together, fill the container (with sand) as deep as necessary to hold it in place.

Step 6. Wait for it to dry

Store the container in a relatively warm and dry place. If you use an open container, store it in a room with good air circulation. Check after a few days, using a toothpick to check and test the dryness of the flowers.

Silica gel is the material for the fastest drying of flowers; most types of flowers only take 2-4 days to dry completely, while thick flowers take up to a week. When the silica gel turns pink, it means that the gel has absorbed as much moisture/moisture as it can hold.
The borax mixture can dry the flowers within 5–14 days.
Drying with sand takes the longest, usually around 14–21 days.

Step 7. Lift carefully

Push the container sideways and tap the sides until the flowers are exposed. Carefully lift the dried flowers, supporting them from the bottom. Clean the covering material with a small brush.

If moisture-absorbing material sticks to the flower, sprinkle sand about 30cm above the flower. This method should be able to release the adhering particles.
Lifting flowers too quickly can make them fall. Before you pick them up, check the edges first to see if the flowers feel as thin and dry as paper.
Floral coatings or hairspray will slow down the damage.

Tips

You can also dry the flower heads (the bulbs/fruits in a corolla at the end of the spherical/oval-shaped stalks containing thousands of seeds) for decorative purposes, such as the poppy/opium flower or the love-in-a-mist flower (nigella damascena, a plant from Europe). one family with black cumin). Place nails on the horizontal surface of a relatively rough chicken wire or flower net across the two pieces of plank. Insert each seed head into the hole (chicken wire/net), with the stalk dangling in the air.
The color of the dried flowers will be twice as dark. White flowers will turn brown, while dark red or purple flowers will turn black. Yellow flowers tend not to change.
Silica gel color changes to pink (pink) as soon as it absorbs water/moisture. To dry and make it reusable, spread the silica granules on a flat cake pan and place in the oven at 121ºC for 2-3 hours.