Do you want to keep your house full of flowers during the winter?You can dry your flowers at home.There are many ways to dry flowers, and it's fun to find out which works best for each species.
Step 1: Pick out flowers.
The best time to air-dry flowers is when they are just beginning to open.As they dry, a fully open flower may lose its petals.The method works best for small blossoms, such as lavender or larkspur.Pest damage is more obvious after drying.Pick the best flowers and keep an eye out for problems.
Step 2: The flowers should be prepared in bunches.
All leaves have flower stems.You can make bunches with up to 10 flowers of a single type.There are large flowers that should be dried individually.The stems of some species break apart when dried.You can thread florist's wire through the base of the flower if you cut the stem off.
Step 3: The rubber band should be tied at the end of each bunch.
Wrap a large rubber band around two or three stems, wrap it several times around the whole bunch, and finish by wrapping it around another couple of stems.The rubber band will stay around the stems as they shrink.The rubber band should not press so hard that it can cause damp pockets and rot.If you're worried about this, tie the bunch with twine or raffia.You might need to re-tie the twine halfway through drying.
Step 4: The bunches should be hung upside-down.
They should be kept in a warm, dark place to prevent rot and fading.Air circulation helps the flowers dry and prevents mold, so keep the bunches spacing out in an area with a good cross-breeze, at least 6 inches below the ceiling.You can hang the flowers from hooks.A paper clip that is bent into an S-shape is an easy way to do it.Go underneath the rubber band and over the hook.
Step 5: Wait for 2 to 4 weeks.
When the petals are crisp, the flower is ready.Sometimes a bunch will take longer than four weeks because the room isn't ideal or the flower petals are thick.The stems are usually straight.If you want a more natural look, submerge the stems in warm water.Hold them in position with weights until they dry.
Step 6: It's possible to preserve them with thwirp.
The flowers' shape will be set by a mist of mist.They will be less susceptible to falling petals.
Step 7: Pick your flowers.
Microwaving works best for flowers with many petals.A variety with thick petals might not work out, but roses, zinnias, and marigolds are good options.Pick the flowers when they are half open.The stems need to be cut short for this method.
Step 8: You can wire the flowers.
After microwaving, the stems won't be flexible.If you want to bend the flowers for an arrangement, wrap a wire around the stem and stick it through the base of the flower.If the flower doesn't have a thick base, stick the wire through the center and into the stem.To hide the wire from view, push it down as far as you can.
Step 9: Desiccant can be put into a microwave-safe container.
A desiccant is a substance that absorbs water.You can use clay cat litter, or a mix of borax and cornmeal, if you want to use the best option for delicate and colorful petals.The container should be filled to a depth of 1–2 inches.
Step 10: Under the desiccant, bury the flowers.
The flowers should be positioned right-side up with at least 34 inch of space between them.Slowly pour more desiccant over the flowers.If the petals get bent out of shape, use a toothpick to rearrange them.If they end up burnt, start with just one or two flowers.You will be able to figure out how much drying each flower will take.
Step 11: There is a cup of water in the microwave.
Some of the microwave's energy is absorbed by a shallow cup of water.It makes accidental burning less likely.
Step 12: A microwave.
The container should be placed in the microwave for 2 minutes.If the flowers were dry, poke through the desiccant with a toothpick.Check after each one, if not, heat them for 1-minute intervals.It can take a lot of trial and error since there's so much variation between flowers and microwaves.daisies are best at low microwave settings.Others with a lot of petals can take as long as 8 minutes.
Step 13: Allow it to cool down for a day.
The container needs to be removed from the microwave.Leave the container alone for 24 hours, leaving the lid ajar.The desiccant can take a long time to cool.Instead of flowers, leave them for 36 hours.It can take as little as 10 hours for roses and carnations to be ready.Keep it away from children and animals.
Step 14: Don't brush the desiccant.
If you want to expose the flowers, tip the container gently.Pull the flowers out of the ground.Remove them with a brush.It is possible to preserve them with a floral sealer.
Step 15: You can choose your flowers.
Pressing flowers with small, flat flowers is the best way to do it.Extra-thin petals can end up being damaged if you stay away from them.
Step 16: The flowers should be placed on the paper.
Place your flowers on a paper that is not glossy.Put a single sheet of dry paper over the top of your flowers.The more absorbent materials you use, the better your flowers will be.The flowers should be placed between the newspaper and the corrugated cardboard.Put tape on the whole pile.
Step 17: The flowers should be pressed.
They should be placed under something with a large, evenly dispersed weight.Dictionary or encyclopedias are a good option for this, but you could also use heavy boxes or pieces of wood.The stack should be kept in a warm place.
Step 18: Wait for a while.
The paper should be replaced with fresh, dry sheets after the first week.Put the flowers back under the weights.
Step 19: The weights need to be removed.
Pull out your flowers after you take off the weights and papers.They should be light and transparent.
Step 20: Take care of your flowers.
If you want your flowers to fit, you have to cut a piece of chicken-wire or fine-mesh wire.If you slide the stems through the holes in the wire, the bud will hold the body of the flower up.The best flowers to be oven-dried are small.Cornflowers and chrysanthemums are included.
Step 21: For several hours, heat at a low temperature.
Put the wire with the flowers on the rack in the oven.The flowers should be left in the oven for several hours because of the low heat.The amount of flowers used will affect the total drying time.The best oven to use is a well-ventilated one.Don't try this with a normal oven.The minimum temperature for normal ovens is usually higher than 100oF.
Step 22: The flowers should be removed.
You can remove the flowers from the oven and place them on a drying rack to cool them down.Wait until they return to room temperature.Adhere floral sealant to dried flowers.
Step 23: Pick your flowers.
If the flower doesn't drop its petals too easily, this is the best way to dry it.Pick the flowers when they're half open and dry immediately.
Step 24: You can choose your desiccant.
An extra-absorbent material called a desiccant will pull out water from your flowers.You must choose a desiccant that is completely dry to be effective.The fastest option is smil gel, available at garden supply stores.It can be used many times despite being more expensive.A cheap and lightweight option is borax and white cornmeal.It shouldn't make a difference if you mix equal quantities of borax and cornmeal.The sand allows the air to dry the flower.Sometimes the cheapest option is the slowest.
Step 25: Adding non-iodized salt is optional.
Some people think salt can help the petals keep their color.Try it with a quart of other materials.
Step 26: Pick a container.
Pick a container that can fit the entire stem if you have a lot of material.Most people save on materials and just cut off the flower stem, leaving a blossom that can fit in a shallow container.For silica gel, use a container that can be sealed.Coffee cans are a good option for a single flower.If you want sand, use an open container.If you want a strong box, check the base for holes.
Step 27: The flowers are in the desiccant.
Put your material in the container at a depth of 1–2 inches.Make sure the flowers are stable by placing them upright in the material.Slowly pour more desiccant on top of them until they are buried.You don't need to bury the flowers completely if you use sand.Air exposure can help dry the petals, as the sand is mostly for support.The best way to dry flowers from the daisy family is upside-down.When laid horizontal, snapdragons and delphiniums can dry out.If the stems are still attached, make sure the container is deep enough to hold them.
Step 28: Wait until it's dry.
The container should be stored in a warm place.It's best to keep an open container in a room with good air flow.After a few days, use a toothpick to probe the petals to see if they are dry.Most flowers can be dried in a few days, but thick flowers take up to a week.It's absorbed as much as it can when it turns pink.The flowers can take a long time to dry.Sand takes about 21 days.
Step 29: Carefully remove it.
If you want to see the flower, tip the container sideways and tap the sides.Remove the flower from underneath.The packing material should be brushed away with a small brush.A thin stream of sand should be poured above the flower if the material is clinging to it.The particles should be removed.The flowers can be removed too soon.Before you pick it up, test the edge for a crisp, papery feel.Enhancing the appearance of the hair will delay breakage.