Do you want your house to be 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 see which works best for each species.
Step 1: Pick your flowers.
The best time to air-dry flowers is when they are just beginning to open.As they dry, they will open slightly and a fully open flower may lose its petals.It works best for small, sturdy blossoms, such as lavender or larkspur.Pest damage becomes more obvious after drying.Pick the best flowers and keep an eye out for problems.
Step 2: The flowers need to be prepared in bunches.
Remove the flower stem from the leaves.You can make bunches of up to 10 flowers of a single type.Large flowers such as roses and peonies should be dried individually.Weak stems 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 ties the end of the bunch together.
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 shouldn't press hard because it can cause damp pockets and rot.Tie the bunch with twine or raffia if you're worried about this.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.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 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 at least 2 weeks.
When the petals are clean, 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 dry.If you want a more natural, curved 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.It will make them less vulnerable 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.For this method, cut the stems in half.
Step 8: The flowers can be wire.
After microwaving, the stems will not 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 of it 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 any substance that absorbs water.You can use clay cat litter, or a mix of borax and cornmeal, if you want to make delicate and colorful petals.The container should be filled to a depth of 1–2 inches.
Step 10: There are flowers under the desiccant.
Carefully position the flowers right-side up, with at least 34 inch (2 cm) 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 burned, 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.Accidental burning or overdrying is less likely because of this.
Step 12: A microwave.
The container should be put in the microwave for 2 minutes.To see 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.Some people can take as long as 8 minutes on high or medium temperatures.
Step 13: Let it cool down for a day.
The container needs to be removed from the microwave.After covering the container, leave it alone for 24 hours.The desiccant can take a long time to cool.Instead of flowers, leave for 36 hours.It can take as little as 10 hours for roses and carnations to be ready.Children and animals should not be near this.
Step 14: Remove the desiccant.
When the container is cool, gently expose the flowers.Pull out the flowers.Remove them with a brush.It is possible to preserve them with sprays or sprays on flowers.
Step 15: You can choose your flowers.
The best flowers to press are small, flat flowers.Extra-thin petals can end up 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.Place a single sheet of dry paper over your flowers.The more absorbent materials you use, the better your flowers will look.The flowers should be placed between the newspaper, the blotter paper, 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 dry place.
Step 18: Wait for a while.
The paper should be replaced with dry sheets after the first week.Put the flowers under the weights to keep pressing them.
Step 19: The weights need to be removed.
Pull out your flowers after the flowers have been left for a few weeks.They should be transparent and crisp.
Step 20: Take care of your flowers.
All your flowers will fit if you cut a piece of chicken-wire or fine-mesh wire in a big enough size.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.Corn flowers and chrysanthemums are included.
Step 21: For several hours, heat at a low temperature.
Put the wire with the flowers on the rack in your oven.The flowers should be left in the oven for several hours.The amount of flowers used will affect the total drying time.The best oven to use is a well-ventilated one.Do not try this with a normal oven.The minimum temperature for normal ovens is usually much higher than 100oF.
Step 22: The flowers should be removed.
You can remove the flowers from the oven and put them on a drying rack to cool them down.Wait for them to return to room temperature before handling.For long- lasting dried flowers, apply floral sealant.
Step 23: Pick your flowers.
If the flower doesn't drop its petals too easily, then this is the best way to dry it.Pick the flowers when they're half open and dry immediately.
Step 24: Pick your desiccant.
An extra-absorbent material called a desiccant can pull out water from your flowers.You must choose a desiccant that is completely dry to be effective.The fastest option is the smilanese gel, available at garden supply stores.It can be used many times.A cheap and lightweight option is borax and white cornmeal.It shouldn't make much difference if you mix equal quantities of borax and cornmeal.The sand supports the shape of the flower, allowing the air to dry it.Sometimes the cheapest option is the slowest.
Step 25: It is possible to add non-iodized salt.
Some people think salt helps 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 just cut off the flower stem and leave 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 first.
Step 27: The flowers are in the desiccant.
The container should be placed at a depth of 1–2 inches.Make sure the flowers are stable by placing them upright.Slowly pour more desiccant on top of them until they are buried.You don't have to bury the flowers completely if you use sand.Air exposure can help dry the petals, and 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, fill the container as deep as is necessary.
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 and see if they are dry.Most flowers can be dried in a few days, while thick flowers take up to a week.It's absorbed as much as it can when it becomes pink.The flowers can take a long time to dry.Sand lasts about 21 days.
Step 29: Carefully remove.
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.This should remove the stuck particles.The flowers can be removed too soon.Before you pick it up, try the edge for a crisp, papery feel.Enhancing the appearance of the hair will delay the break.