Roses are a classic flower often used in bouquets, but sometimes you need a rose color that you can't find anywhere else. However, with a little water, food coloring, and some free time, you can turn your roses into almost any color you want. The method people use most often is to dip the stems in colored water and let the rose absorb the dye. If you don't have much time, you can also dip the flower heads directly into the dye.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Coloring Roses with One Color
Step 1. Buy some white roses
The dye will work best if you use white roses. In colored roses, the dye will only add to the existing color. For example, if you color a yellow rose with blue, the result is a green rose.
Step 2. Cut the rose stalk obliquely in the water using scissors or a sharp knife
Hold the rose stalk in the water and cut it to a size of 25-30 cm. This slanted cut keeps the rose stems from sticking flat to the bottom of the container. Cutting in water prevents air bubbles from forming. These two things make roses absorb dye well.
- Also remove any thorns and leaves.
- To speed up the absorption of the dye, cut the stalks shorter. It also makes the rose color lighter.
Step 3. Put the roses in a vase filled with plain water
Place the roses in the water when you prepare the dye solution. If you want to make a bouquet, you can use more roses. Handle one rose at a time, and place it in a vase if you have cut the stems.
Step 4. Prepare the dye solution
Put 120 ml of warm water in a cup. Add 20-30 drops of food coloring or liquid watercolor. For a softer color, add 5-10 drops of dye to 240 ml of water.
Step 5. Put the rose in the dye solution, and wait for the color to change
Be patient, this will take at least 4 hours! The longer it is left to soak, the deeper the color will be. After 4 hours or so have passed, the rose color will turn pastel. For deeper color, soak the rose stalks for 1-2 days. Remember, streaks and spots will appear on the roses.
- You'll notice tiny streaks on the rose petals, which will appear darker after the rose has finished coloring. If you don't like it, let the roses soak in the dye solution a little longer.
- For an interesting effect, soak the roses in one color for about 3 hours, then soak them in a different color for about 2 hours, and soak them in a third color for about 1 hour.
Step 6. Put the roses in a vase filled with water
When you get a rose of the color you want, remove it from the dye solution and place it in a vase filled with water. To make the roses last longer, add a flower preservative to the water.
Method 2 of 3: Coloring Roses with Multiple Colors
Step 1. Buy some white roses
The dye will add to the existing color, not replace it. If you want to color the roses the way you want, choose a white rose.
Step 2. Cut the stalks at an angle
Cut the stems with a sharp knife until they reach a length of 25-30 cm. Make sure you cut the bottom of the stem at an angle. Also remove rose buds, leaves, and thorns.
Step 3. Split the stem of the rose
Place the roses on a cutting board or cutting mat. Cut the stem of the rose from the bottom lengthwise using a sharp cutter. Stop cutting when you are halfway through the stalk. If you are using a short rose, cut the stem only about 8 cm long.
- If the rosette is very thick, you can split it into 3 or 4 pieces.
- If the stem is cut off accidentally, cut the entire stalk to a length of 13-15 cm, and color the roses using one color.
Step 4. Put the roses in a vase filled with water
At this point, you can cut and split another rose, or move on to the next step.
Step 5. Prepare 2-4 glasses, then fill with warm water
You will need about 120 ml of warm water. The number of glasses needed depends on the number of halves of the rose stem you want to color. You need 1 cup for each rose stalk. Use glasses with straight walls.
Roses will absorb warm water faster than cold water
Step 6. Put the desired coloring in the cup, and stir until well combined
Add 20-30 drops of food coloring to each cup. If you don't have food coloring, just use liquid watercolor. Add a different color to each cup.
Step 7. Place the sliced rose stalks in the cup
First arrange the cups in a position close together so that the edges touch each other. Carefully widen the stem. Put one halve of the stalk into one cup. Make sure the stalk is completely submerged in the dye solution as far as possible.
Step 8. Wait for the rose color to change
The longer the rose is immersed in the dye, the deeper the color will be. If you want pastel colors, wait for at least 4 hours. For deeper color, let the stalks soak for a few days.
- This method does not make each petal have a different color. The roses will be colored section by section, as in the pie chart.
- There are streaks on the rose petals, which will turn darker. To make the lines less visible, allow the roses to soak in the solution for twice the recommended time.
Step 9. Transfer the roses to a vase filled with plain water
If you wish, you can trim the ends of the split stalks to get a whole stalk. In order for roses to last a long time, first add flower preservatives to the water. However, keep in mind that some dyes can be absorbed by water, which can change the color of the roses.
Method 3 of 3: Coloring Roses by Dyeing
Step 1. Choose a white rose
The dye will only add to the existing color. If you choose a colored rose, the resulting color may be different from what you want, or it may not change at all. For best results, choose roses that are in full bloom. This method can be applied to both fresh and dried roses.
Step 2. Prune the stems, leaves, and spines
Cut the base of the rose stalk at an angle using a sharp knife. After that, remove the thorns, leaves, and buds. Place the roses in a vase filled with water when you prepare the dye in the next step.
Hold the rose stalk in the water as you cut it. This will prevent air bubbles from forming, which can clog the stem and prevent the rose from absorbing the dye
Step 3. Prepare the dye solution in the bucket
How to prepare it depends on the dye used. Some of the options you can use include food coloring, ink, and fabric dye. If you can buy flower dye, such as Dip It, this will give you better results. Choose your preferred dye, and do one of the following:
- Mix ink or food coloring with 4 liters of water. Add 1 tbsp. (15 grams) alum and mix evenly.
- Mix fabric dye with 4 liters of water. Use enough dye to get the color you want.
- Prepare the flower dye according to the instructions listed on the package.
Step 4. Dip the rose in the dye solution for 2-3 seconds
Hold the rose by the stem so that it is upside down, then dip the petals in the dye. Rotate the rose so that all the petals are coated with the dye. The roses only need to be dipped in the dye for about 2-3 seconds.
This method is not the same as the usual staining method. You only need to dip the petals in the dye, not the stems
Step 5. Lift the rose
Hold the rose upside down over the bucket so the excess dye will drip into it. If necessary, gently shake the rose. Be careful not to splash the dye in all directions.
Step 6. Rinse the roses with water
Shake the rose again to remove excess water. Rinse with water for a while if the color is too dark. Remember, the color of the rose will turn lighter when it is dry.
Step 7. Place the roses in a vase to dry them
If the rose color is not dark enough, dry it first, then repeat the coloring. While waiting for the roses to dry, you can color other roses if you wish. Even so, you still have to be patient. If you use roses that are still wet, the dye can stain clothing, skin, and anything else in the bouquet.
When coloring fresh roses, be sure to fill the vase with water to prevent them from wilting. However, you don't need to use water on dried roses
Step 8. Use roses in a bouquet
If using fresh roses, don't forget to add a packet of flower preservative to the water. This allows the roses to last longer. Because only the flower part is colored, the dye will not fade into the water. This means you can use a clear vase without having to worry about the color of the water changing.
Tips
- If you place a dyed rose in clear water, the color of the rose will fade over time.
- If you don't have liquid food coloring, use liquid watercolor instead. Do not use acrylic paints or gel-based food coloring.
- Always use fresh roses. Withered roses cannot absorb dye.
- Remove all leaves, thorns, and small rosettes. All three will rot when soaked in water and make it cloudy.
- Place the colored roses into an opaque vase. Over time, the dye will be absorbed by the water and cause the water to change color. This discoloration will not be visible if you use an opaque vase.
- Change the water and flower preservatives every 2 days to keep your colored roses fresh.
