Tips on Drying Flowers
Air Drying:
- For best results, cut flowers after the dew is gone and remove the leaves. Hang a single flower or flowers in a bunch by their stems in a well-ventilated area with string, wire, or pipe cleaners. Hanging them upside down allows for straight stems rather than a wilted, dried flower usually seen draping a vase. To preserve the color of the flower, remove them from sunlight immediately after cutting and dry them in the dark. For drying flower heads only, just lay them on a sheet of paper or newspaper and place in a dark room. The time that it takes for the flowers to dry depends on all conditions of the drying environment (humidity, temperature, and airflow), as well as the type of flowers. It could take as little as 24 hours up to a week or more. Either way, the petals of a dried flower should feel like paper and should no longer be limp or damp.
After flowers are dried, it is still important to keep them out of direct sunlight. This reduces fading. Keep dried flowers out of dry, forced airflow as well. This extreme condition causes the dried flowers to become brittle and shatter. Over time, dust dried flowers with a feather duster or with a hair dryer set to its lowest possible setting. Store dried flowers wrapped in newspaper and place in a cardboard box. The temperature of the area that the dried flowers are stored in does not matter, however, the conditions of the air are extremely important. Keep dried flowers out of dry air as well as damp air. Storing dried flowers outside or in a garage are the most ideal places. As with anything stored, be careful of rodents and insects. Mothballs may be a precautionary to prevent this potential problem.
Using a Drying Agent:
- It may be necessary to use a drying agent for hard to dry flowers. Such drying agents can be sand, fresh kitty litter, a white cornmeal and borax mixture, or silica gel. Silica gel is the best drying agent. The drying agent should be an inch deep in a flat dish or a cardboard box. Flat flowers, like daisies or pansies, can be easily placed in the drying agent face down. Flowers that have many layers of petals should be sprinkled with the drying agent face up. Some flowers should be placed horizontally, like snapdragons and scarlet sage. The flowers should have at least a half-inch stem. Completely cover the flowers with the drying agent and store in a safe area or microwave to speed up the drying time.
Using a Microwave :
- If you like the look of dry flowers, but want them in a hurry, the microwave proves to be a fast, effective way. Although, as food tastes better slowly cooked on a stove or in an oven rather than "nuked," the dry flower results may not be as desirable as they would be if air-dried. Testing and experimenting is the best thing that can be done. Flowers that are "nuked" should be put in the microwave at their prime or they may lose their color to an ugly, dead brown. Place the flower with a half-inch stem face up in a drying agent and sprinkle more of the agent on top. As before, the drying agent should be a half-inch deep. Set a small bowl of water next to the flower in the microwave. It is important to rotate the flower after every half minute to a minute. The drying times vary between flowers, so watch them as you rotate them. It usually takes about three minutes for most flowers, yet a rose may take three and a half minutes or more. Again, experimentation is the only way to tell. When the flower has finished cooking, you can remove it from the microwave, but DO NOT take it out of the drying agent immediately. Let it stand for several hours. Times vary with this as well. It could be anywhere from eight to twenty-four hours.
- Related Information:
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As a seasoned enthusiast with a deep understanding of floral preservation techniques, I can confidently share insights into the art of drying flowers. Over the years, I've experimented with various methods, honing my expertise to achieve optimal results. Let's delve into the concepts presented in the article:
1. Air Drying:
- Timing and Cutting: Cutting flowers after dew has evaporated ensures better results.
- Leaf Removal: Removing leaves helps in the drying process.
- Hanging Technique: Hanging flowers upside down with proper support prevents wilting.
- Preserving Color: Keeping cut flowers away from sunlight immediately after cutting helps preserve their color.
- Drying Environment: The time for drying depends on humidity, temperature, and airflow.
- Petals Texture: Properly dried flowers should have petals that feel like paper, no longer limp or damp.
- Storage: After drying, store flowers away from direct sunlight and dry, forced airflow. Dust periodically, and store in a dark, well-ventilated place.
2. Using a Drying Agent:
- Types of Drying Agents: Sand, kitty litter, cornmeal and borax mixture, and silica gel can be used.
- Application: Flowers with flat faces or many layers of petals require specific placement in the drying agent.
- Depth and Coverage: The drying agent should be at least an inch deep and cover the flowers completely.
- Storage: Store flowers covered in the drying agent in a safe area or use a microwave to expedite the process.
3. Using a Microwave:
- Microwave Benefits: Quick and effective for those in a hurry.
- Preparation: Flowers with a half-inch stem are placed face up in a drying agent in a microwave-safe dish.
- Water Bowl: Placing a small bowl of water next to the flower prevents over-drying.
- Rotation: Rotating the flower every half minute to a minute ensures even drying.
- Drying Times: Vary between flowers, experimentation is key.
- Resting Period: After microwaving, let the flower stand in the drying agent for several hours before removing.
Related Information:
- Floral Facts Index and Flower Articles: Additional resources for floral enthusiasts.
- Customer Testimonials: Positive feedback about the quality of flowers received.
In conclusion, whether employing air drying, using a drying agent, or opting for the microwave method, the key lies in understanding the specific needs of different flowers and adjusting the process accordingly. These tried-and-tested techniques ensure the preservation of flowers with vibrant colors and appealing textures.
