Sunflowers have bright and brilliant colors that can make a room colorful. However, you don't need to keep the flowers fresh to get their vibrant color. You can dry sunflowers as decorations or souvenirs, and place them around the house for a cheerful decoration. Alternatively, you can dry the sunflower seeds for consumption or the petals for decoration.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Drying Sunflowers for Decoration
Step 1. Harvest sunflowers when the petals are half bloomed
If you want to dry your sunflowers for decoration, it's a good idea to use small to medium sized flowers that are just starting to bloom. The seeds are not fully ripe so they will not fall out when dried.
Step 2. Cut the flower leaving the stem
The flower stalks should be about 15 cm left, but you can trim them as you wish. Choose flowers that look beautiful and symmetrical, and remove any dead leaves that are around the flower heads.
Step 3. Dry the sunflowers by hanging them in a dry and dark place
Tie the bottom of the flower stalk with twine. You can tie three flowers at once, but the heads should not touch each other. Hang it in a dry, dark place, such as in an unused cupboard, or on the ceiling.
You can also place it in a vase to dry on its own. This method makes the petals curl more gracefully. However, you should keep it in a dry and dark place
Step 4. Check flowers 2 weeks later
Sunflowers will usually dry after 2 weeks, but it can also take up to 3 weeks. When they are dry, cut the strings and remove the sunflowers from the cupboard.
Step 5. Spray hairspray to coat the sunflower
You can maintain the color and shape of the sunflower by spraying it with hairspray. Use sprayed flowers to place in a vase, or cut the stems short and place them in a display case.
Method 2 of 4: Drying Sunflowers with Dryer
Step 1. Cut the flower stalks short
If you want to dry your flowers using a dryer, it's a good idea to cut the stems to 3-5 centimeters, as the stems will become brittle after drying. If you want the stems to stay longer, replace them with artificial wire stems while the flowers are still fresh. Thread the wire through the center of the original stem from the bottom up. Bend the wire down, and pull it down through the stem. Wrap the remaining wire around the stem.
Step 2. Mix the borax with the cornstarch
A mixture of cornstarch and borax can dry out sunflowers. Mix these two ingredients in the same ratio. To maintain the color of the flowers, add 1 tablespoon of salt to the mixture.
Step 3. Mix 2 parts borax with 1 part sand
This mixture can also be used to dry sunflowers. Also add a spoonful of salt to maintain the color of the flowers. However, this mixture is a bit heavy and can make the flowers a little mushy.
Step 4. Use silica gel
Another option that can be used is silica gel. These are small packages that are usually included in shoe boxes, purses, and sometimes food items, that say "Don't eat". You can also buy them online or at craft stores. Silica gel can dry things faster than other mixtures. So, you don't need to add salt to maintain the sunflower's color.
Step 5. Prepare the drying container
Choose a container that can be tightly closed, especially if you're using silica gel. Place the drying agent (about 3 cm) at the bottom of the container. Place the sunflower in the container with it facing up. Gently sprinkle drying agent over the entire flower, then seal the container tightly.
Step 6. Place the container in a dry and warm location
Just like when you hang flowers, place the container in a dry, warm location so the flowers can dry. If you use silica gel, sunflowers can dry in less than a week. If you use another drying agent, the flowers will dry within a week or two.
Method 3 of 4: Drying Sunflowers for Seeds
Step 1. Allow the sunflowers to reach maturity in the garden
As long as the weather remains dry and warm, allow the sunflowers to fully ripen while they are still growing in the soil. If possible, don't cut off the flower heads if the backs haven't turned brown.
Ideally, wait until the petals fall off and the head begins to wither. You may have to tie the flower heads to the stakes when they begin to wither and die. The head will gain weight, and the plant will become weaker because it has to support its own weight
Step 2. Protect the seeds with cheesecloth to prevent birds from eating them
Wrap the flower head in cheese wrap or a paper bag, then tie it with twine. This will protect the seeds from squirrels and birds, as well as catch any dropped seeds.
Wait for the flowers to begin to die and wilt before you wrap the flower heads
Step 3. Cut the flower stalks at an angle
If you want to cut off the flower heads early due to climatic conditions or pest infestation, cut the stems about 30 cm apart from the flower, then hang the flower upside down indoors until it dries and the back of the head turns brown.
Step 4. Take the seeds a few weeks later
If the flower is completely dry, you can definitely remove the seeds by simply rubbing your finger or a stiff brush against the flower. You can also use a fork.
If you harvest a lot of sunflowers, remove the seeds by rubbing 2 sunflower heads together
Step 5. Prepare the seeds to eat
Add one cup of salt to 4 liters of water. Take the seeds and remove the attached flower and plant parts, then put them in the water. Soak the seeds for at least 8 hours. After that, drain the seeds and spread them evenly on the baking sheet. Set the oven temperature to 220 degrees Celsius, and let the seeds dry for about 5 hours.
Put the seeds in an airtight container, and place them in the freezer. In this way, sunflower seeds can be stored for up to 1 year
Method 4 of 4: Drying Sunflower Petals
Step 1. Collect the petals
Choose flowers that have bright, undamaged petals, then use your fingers to pluck out the petals one by one. Don't damage the petals when you pick them.
Step 2. Dry the petals with pressure
Place the petals in a single layer between two sheets of blotting paper, parchment paper, or tissue (blotting paper is best). Place the paper with the petals in the middle of the two pieces of cardboard. Place a thick book on top, then allow the petals to dry for a few weeks.
You can also place tissue or blotting paper between the pages of a thick, heavy book
Step 3. Check the petals
Two or three weeks later, carefully remove the cardboard and blotting paper and gently pick up the petals. If the lids are still damp, place new blotting paper and continue pressing the lids for about a week or so before you check them again.
Step 4. Microwave the petals
Lay out two paper towels on a microwave-safe tray. Arrange the petals on a tissue in a single layer, then cover the petals with 2 pieces of clean tissue. Heat the petals in the microwave on high for 20-40 seconds or until the petals are completely dry.
The wipes will remove the moisture released by the petals when you dry them in the microwave
Step 5. Check the petals after the first 20 seconds
If the petals are still damp, continue microwave drying at 10-second intervals until the petals feel dry. However, do not let the petals become crunchy.
Step 6. Dry the tray and change the paper towels if you want to handle another lid
However, you can also leave the paper towels in the microwave for a few minutes to dry and reuse them without having to replace them with new ones.
