Poets spend their lives dreaming of the beauty and refinement of the perfect rose. Perhaps, roses also have certain uses-especially that dried rose petals can be turned into very nice things. These rose petals can provide an intoxicating aroma in the form of potpourri and satin sachets, add color to room decor and become romantic confetti at weddings. Apart from all that, the process of drying roses is actually quite simple. To get started, let's look at the first step.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Petal Selection
Step 1. Choose fresh roses that have fully bloomed
You can pick the flowers you want to dry at any time during the season, but keep in mind that roses have the best scent when they are at their largest and in their brightest colours. Avoid picking roses with brown petals-these will completely brown when they dry.
Step 2. Wait for the right time to pick your roses
The time is when the dew has dried, but before the sun shines its strongest rays at midday. Rose petals that are still damp have the potential to rot, so they will turn brown when dry. The hours before the sun reaches noon are when the roses produce their strongest scent.
Step 3. Separate the rose petals from the stems using scissors by cutting them around the base of the petals
Cut it well so that the whole flower petals are obtained. You can also gently pluck the rose petals one by one from the base.
Part 2 of 4: Drying the Petals
The First Way: Drying with Air
Step 1. Place the petals on a sheet to dry
Grilles such as old windows or flat metal sieves from your kitchen can work well. Make sure to separate the petals so they don't spill over each other, because if the petals stick together after they dry, you'll have a hard time separating them.
Step 2. Place the petals in a place that gets a lot of air
The best place is on a flat surface, out of direct sunlight, and with good air circulation. Avoid direct sunlight because it can fade the color of the petals. Also avoid wet places because humidity can make flower petals rot.
Step 3. Flip the petals a few times
Air drying usually takes a few days. During this time, it's a good idea to turn the rose petals at least once a day to ensure that both sides of the petals are getting enough air.
Step 4. Remove the petals from the drying sheet
Do this only when the petals have become crisp (almost a corn flakes texture.) If you store them not completely dry, the petals will start to get moldy.
Method Two: Using an Oven
Step 1. Use a special oven plate lined with a double layer of paper towels
After that, place the petals you want to dry on the tissue. Make sure the petals don't overlap each other. If this happens, you may tear the petals as you try to separate them from each other.
Step 2. Protect the petals
After placing it on a plate lined with a paper towel, cover it with another paper towel. Cup another plate on top so that it acts like the previous plate cover.
Step 3. Place the stack of plates in the oven
Preheat the oven for about 40 seconds until the lids don't feel damp anymore. Each oven has a different heating rate, so you'll need to experiment to find the right length of time to dry rose petals.
Step 4. Experiment with dryness of the petals
When finished heating in the oven, remove the top plate and paper towels. The heated petals should feel dry, but not crunchy. If the lids still feel damp, place them back in the oven and continue to reheat.
Step 5. Remove the rose petals from the oven
If you want to make it crispier, spread the petals on a paper towel on a flat surface. Choose a place that is free from wind, moisture, light, and dust.
Method Three: Using a Dehydrator
Step 1. Put the rose petals in a dehydrator
Make sure the petals don't overlap each other. Depending on the type of dehydrator you use, the drying process can take several hours (if you use Excalibur) or even all day (if you use a 600-watt Nesco machine.).
Step 2. Set your dehydrator on the lowest setting
This is important, considering that there is a possibility that the rose petals may burn.
Step 3. Allow the rose petals to dry
As previously mentioned, this process can take a few hours to a whole day. After the process is complete, the petals will have a texture that resembles very thin corn flakes or potato chips.
Part 3 of 4: Using a Book
Step 1. Open a book
Step 2. Tuck the petals into the book (make sure they don't stick together
)
Step 3. Close the book (try not to fold the petals
)
Step 4. Wait a week or two, and your petals should have dried
Part 4 of 4: Use and Storage of Dried Roses
Step 1. Store dried roses in coffee cans, other cans, or glass jars
Dried rose petals can be stored this way for quite a long time. Make sure the storage container is tightly closed to prevent the entry of insects that can eat the petals. Do not store it in direct sunlight.
Step 2. Decide how you will use your rose petals
The options are endless and endless, like using it in your wedding, to create a sensual experience, adding it to a poutpourri, or trying one of the following options:
Step 3. Add rose petals to your favorite drink, such as a cocktail
You can also make a rose-flavoured mix for a party, or treat yourself to some refreshing rose water.
Step 4. Get artistic with using rose petals in your craft
Make a necklace made of rose petals as beads, or make a unique fragrance for yourself, namely rose-scented perfume.
Step 5. Add some petals to your food
Try the rose petal hamburger. Get a rustic look by making your own rose petal jam, or make rose petal icing for extra cake decorations.
Tips
- Remember to check the dried rose petals in the storage container regularly. If you find a swarm of insects, throw away the dried flowers and wash the storage container thoroughly before reusing it.
- Keep in mind that most flowers have a tendency to darken as they dry. Keep this in mind if you decide to use dried flowers in decorations with a certain color scheme.
- Collect as many rose petals as you need. This can be a precautionary measure so you can still get a sufficient number of petals in case some of them become damaged in the drying process.
