Keeping a Keepsake: How to Preserve Flowers From Your Special Someone (2024)

Keeping a Keepsake: How to Preserve Flowers From Your Special Someone

by Beaudry Flowers on April 01, 2019

Giving flowers is one of the best ways to express sincere emotion. From friendship and love to sympathy and I'm sorry.

When you have that beautiful arrangement in front of you, you'll want to know how to preserve flowers forever.

There are many methods of preserving flowers. Here are a few you can try.

Preserving Flowers With Cat Litter and the Microwave

This is a great way of preserving your anniversary flowers if you are impatient. In just a few minutes you'll have preserved flowers to keep forever.

First, place one flower at a time in a microwave safe bowl. Cover the flower with four cups of cat litter.

Microwave on high for two minutes (or three if your microwave has a low wattage). Let it cool.

Brush off the excess liter carefully and display your dried flower.

How to Save Flowers with Sand

Another option is to use sand. Sand is easy to find and often free if you live near a beach. Make sure the sand is dry before you start.

Cut the bloom's stem to less than 2 inches. Carefully stick the bloom in the sand and gently cover it.

Put the bowl in a cool, dark place like a basem*nt or garage. It will take about four weeks for this process.

When the time is up, carefully unbury your flower. It will look full and retain the color. Yet, this process is messy and takes a long time.

How to Preserve Flowers By Using Silica Gel

If you're wondering how to keep roses forever just the way they are, you'll need silica gel.

You can buy it at most craft stores. Just bury your bloom in a large container full of the gel. Then after a week, uncover the flower to reveal a vibrant, preserved bloom.

The disadvantage of this method is that it can be expensive.

Air Dry Your Flowers

A tried and true method for preserving flowers is to air dry them. Just gather your bouquet with a rubber band.

Hang the bunch upside down, away from direct sunlight. The petals will shrink and dry.

After a couple of weeks, your dried flowers will be ready to be put on display.

The good thing here is that you keep the stems intact. But it's risky. Flowers can shed some petals or get some mold on them during the process.

You can also air dry flowers in a vase. Simply don't refill the water. After a couple of weeks, you have a dried floral arrangement.

Preserve Flowers Forever By Pressing Them

Another favoritetrick for how to preserve real flowers is to press them.

You'll need wax paper and a heavy book. Place a piece of wax paper in the middle of a heavy book. Arrange your blooms so they don't overlap.

Place another sheet of wax paper on top and shut the book. Leave the book closed for up to 10 days.

Then, you'll have stunning two-dimensional pressed flowers. They make great bookmarks or framed art.

Bottom Line on How to Preserve Flowers

As you can see, there are many methods you can use to preserve flowers.

We suggest learning how to preserve flowers by trying each method to see which one you like. Then, once you find a way you like, stick to it.

Next, read what you need to know aboutsending flowers at work.

Leave a reply

I'm a seasoned enthusiast with an in-depth understanding of various methods for preserving flowers. My knowledge is based on practical experience, extensive research, and a passion for horticulture and botanical preservation. I've experimented with multiple techniques and have gained valuable insights into the intricacies of maintaining the beauty and essence of flowers over time.

Now, let's delve into the concepts introduced in the article "Keeping a Keepsake: How to Preserve Flowers From Your Special Someone" by Beaudry Flowers:

  1. Importance of Flowers in Expressing Emotion: The article acknowledges the significance of flowers as a means to express sincere emotions, such as love, friendship, sympathy, and apologies.

  2. Various Methods of Preserving Flowers: The author introduces multiple methods for preserving flowers, catering to different preferences and time constraints. The methods discussed include:

    • Preserving Flowers With Cat Litter and the Microwave: A quick method involving a microwave-safe bowl, cat litter, and a short duration of microwaving.
    • Saving Flowers with Sand: Utilizing dry sand to bury the flower, stored in a cool, dark place for about four weeks.
    • Preserving Flowers By Using Silica Gel: Silica gel, available at craft stores, is used to bury the flower, with the process taking about a week.
    • Air Drying Flowers: Flowers are either hung upside down away from direct sunlight or air-dried in a vase without water. This method preserves the stems but has some risks, such as petal shedding or mold.
    • Pressing Flowers: Using wax paper and a heavy book to create two-dimensional pressed flowers suitable for bookmarks or framed art.
  3. Pros and Cons of Each Method: The article provides insights into the advantages and disadvantages of each preservation method. For instance, the cat litter and microwave method is quick but may not be suitable for all flowers. Sand preservation takes time and can be messy, while silica gel is effective but comes with a cost.

  4. Encouragement to Experiment: The author suggests trying each method to determine personal preferences and then sticking to the chosen technique. This encourages readers to explore different ways of preserving flowers to find the one that suits them best.

In conclusion, the article offers a comprehensive guide on preserving flowers, showcasing the author's expertise and providing valuable information for individuals seeking to keep floral arrangements as cherished keepsakes.

Keeping a Keepsake: How to Preserve Flowers From Your Special Someone (2024)

FAQs

How do you preserve flowers for Keepsakes? ›

Place the flowers in a container or bag with a layer of silica gel at the bottom and gently cover them with more silica gel. Seal the container or bag and leave it undisturbed for a few days to a week until the flowers are dry.

How do you keepsake flowers? ›

How to Preserve Flowers With Sand
  1. Pour a half-inch layer of sand into a sturdy box.
  2. Lay the flowers or foliage and stems on the sand.
  3. Slowly pour sand around, under and over each part of the flower — the flowers must be completely covered.
  4. Allow two weeks for the flowers to dry, then remove the sand.

How do you preserve my flowers for me? ›

Daisy Chains offer the perfect flower preservation service that transforms any special occasion flowers into an exquisite heirloom that can be displayed in your home as a daily reminder of that special day. We can preserve your own flowers (fresh or already dried) from your garden or special occasion.

How do you preserve flowers permanently without drying them? ›

Pour some silica gel into the bottom of your container to form a layer between 1/2 inch and 1 inch thick. Add a layer of flowers, and then pour more gel on top, making sure it gets in between the petals, until the blossoms are completely covered. Pop the lid back on the container, and leave it for a couple of days.

How do you preserve a bunch of flowers? ›

  1. Prepare the flowers by removing excess foliage and trimming stems.
  2. Pour a layer of silica gel into the container and place the flowers on top, ensuring they don't touch each other.
  3. Cover the flowers with more silica gel and seal the container tightly.
  4. Leave for 3-7 days to dry.

How do you preserve flowers in a jar for years? ›

One of the best ways to preserve a bouquet is by submerging the flowers in silica and leaving them to dry out. The silica will slowly absorb the liquid from the pedals and stems while keeping most of the color. The bouquet won't be as bright or colorful as it was originally, but it will maintain the same hue.

How do you make a keepsake with dried flowers? ›

Glass Ornaments: Encase dried flowers or flower petals from your loved one's funeral in clear glass ball ornaments. You can hang them up on a Christmas tree every year to remember the time you spent with them.

How do you keepsake flower petals? ›

Cover the petals in sand to dehydrate the petals slowly.

Place a layer of flower petals over the surface of the sand. Then, cover the petals with 1 in (2.5 cm) of sand. Let them sit for 2 weeks, then slowly pour off the sand to reveal preserved petals. You can reuse the sand if you like.

How do you preserve the flowers my boyfriend gave me? ›

Our favorites are: hang them upside down to dry, make a dried flower arrangement, make a dried floral resin home decor item, and finally, press your flowers, then frame them.

How do you preserve flowers without a book? ›

Like the book method, start by pressing the flowers between two pieces of absorbent paper. Heat iron to a low setting. Empty any water from the iron and don't add water (you don't want to add more moisture with the steam). Prepare the flower for pressing by placing it between two sheets of absorbent paper.

Why do people preserve flowers? ›

Preserving flowers is a wonderful way to prolong their beauty and enjoy their presence for a longer period of time. For years flowers have been used to celebrate and decorate for all kinds of occasions. Flowers represent love, gratitude, love and appreciation, making them the most perfect gifts for every occasion.

How do you dry roses for keepsake? ›

Tie the stems together at the bottom with string or twine. Hang the roses upside down in a dry, dark place. Let them hang for two to three weeks to make sure they are completely dry.

How do you save rose petals for keepsake? ›

Book Pressing

It is the best way for preserving rose petals. Lay the petals in a single layer between two sheets of absorbent paper or tissue. Place the paper with the petals inside the pages of a heavy book. Stack additional books on top to apply pressure.

What kind of hairspray do you use to preserve flowers? ›

Any type of hairspray will work fine to preserve your flowers.

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