How to dry flowers

Drying flowers is an ancient art that allows you to preserve flowers for a long time, maintaining their beauty and color. By drying flowers, you can create a decoration for your home or a personalized gift.

There are many reasons why people dry flowers. Some want to preserve their favorite flowers as a reminder of a special event, while others want to use them in artistic or craft projects. Whatever the reason, drying flowers requires patience and care.

How does flower drying work?

Flower drying involves removing water from the petals of the flowers so that they do not rot. There are several methods for drying flowers, including air-drying, microwave drying, and silica gel drying.

• Air-drying: this method involves hanging the flowers upside down in a cool, dry place until they are completely dried out.
• Microwave drying: this method involves using the microwave to quickly dry the flowers. This method is especially useful for more delicate flowers.
• Silica gel drying: this method involves using an absorbent material called silica gel to remove water from the flowers. This method is particularly suitable for larger and fleshy flowers.

In any case, it is important to choose the right flowers to dry. Flowers with thick and fleshy petals like roses, daisies, and dahlias are ideal for drying. Flowers with thin petals like violets or calendulas may be more difficult to dry.

Methods of drying flowers

There are several methods for drying flowers, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Below are some of the most common methods:

Air-drying

Air-drying is one of the simplest and cheapest ways to dry flowers. To do this, simply gather the flowers into a bunch and hang them upside down in a dry, well-ventilated place. This method takes time, as the flowers may take several weeks to completely dry out.

Microwave drying

Microwave drying is a quick and effective method for drying flowers. Simply place the flowers on a plate covered with absorbent paper and microwave them for about 2-3 minutes at maximum power. However, this method can cause color loss and petal fragility, so it is best used only for robust flowers like roses.

Silica gel drying

Silica gel drying is a very effective method for quickly drying flowers without damaging the petals. Silica gel is a material that absorbs moisture, so simply place the flowers in an airtight container with the silica gel and leave them there for a few days. The result will be a dried flower that still looks fresh.

Press drying

Press drying is a traditional method that requires patience and time. Simply place the flowers between two sheets of absorbent paper and put them under a stack of heavy books or in a special press. This method takes several weeks to achieve satisfactory results, but the advantage is that the dried flowers will be flat and perfect for use in craft projects such as frames or greeting cards.

• Air-drying is the simplest and most economical way to dry flowers, but it takes a lot of time.
• Microwave drying is quick, but it can cause loss of color and fragility in flower petals.
• Silica gel drying is very effective and produces dried flowers that still look fresh.
• Press drying requires a lot of patience, but produces flat flowers that are perfect for craft projects.

In general, the best method depends on the type of flower you want to dry and the available time. Regardless of the chosen method, it's important to make sure that the flowers are completely dry before using them in craft projects or home decorations.

Preparing Flowers for Drying

Before starting the drying process, it's important to properly prepare the flowers to be dried. Here are some steps you should follow:

Choosing the Right Flowers

Not all flowers are suitable for drying. Some examples of flowers that lend themselves well to this process are lavender, roses, daisies, and chamomile. However, it's important to choose only the most beautiful and healthy flowers to achieve a high-quality end result.

Harvesting Flowers at the Right Time

The best time to harvest flowers depends on the type of plant. In general, it's best to pick them when they are fully open but not yet wilted. Avoid picking flowers when there is too much moisture in the air or under direct sunlight.

Cleaning Flowers

After harvesting the flowers, remove any leaves or damaged parts. Gently shake each flower to remove any insects or dirt present on the surface.

Cutting Stems

Depending on the length of your flower stems, you may need to cut them to fit the size of the container you will use for drying. Additionally, it's best to remove any leaves or thorns on the stems to avoid damaging nearby flowers during the drying process.

Tying Flowers

Once the stems are cleaned and trimmed, you can tie the flowers together with a string or elastic band. This will help maintain the shape of the flowers during drying and make it easier to hang them up.

• Choosing the Right Flowers
• Harvesting Flowers at the Right Time
• Cleaning Flowers
• Cutting Stems

Following these simple steps will help you properly prepare your flowers for drying. Remember that the quality of the flowers you choose and the care with which you prepare them will directly affect the quality of the final result.

How to dry flowers using the air-drying method

The air-drying method is one of the simplest and most economical ways to dry flowers. This method involves hanging the flowers upside down in a cool, dry place so that air can freely circulate around the flowers and evaporate any water inside.

Step 1: Gather the flowers

First, gather the flowers to be dried. Make sure they are completely dry and free of any moisture or dew. The best times to collect flowers are in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is not too strong.

Step 2: Prepare the flowers

Gently clean the flowers from unwanted leaves and stems. Also remove any damaged or stained petals. Shorten flower stems if necessary so that they are all of equal length.

Step 3: Tie together the flowers

Take a handful of flowers (about 10-12) and tie them together with a string or soft elastic band. Make sure that the tie is firm but not too tight so that the flowers do not get crushed or damaged.

Step 4: Hang up the flowers

Hang up the flowers upside down in a cool, dry place. Choose a place where the air can circulate freely around the flowers, such as a well-ventilated room or a covered veranda. Avoid hanging flowers in a damp or too hot place like the bathroom or kitchen.

Step 5: Wait

Leave the flowers hanging for about two weeks, checking them regularly to make sure they are completely dried. When ready, the flowers will be dry to the touch and slightly fragile.

• Air-dried flowers can be used to create beautiful dried bouquets, home decorations or even handmade jewelry.
• If you want to preserve dried flowers for a longer period of time, you can spray them with a hair fixative spray or transparent spray paint. This will help protect the flowers from moisture and dust.

By following these simple steps, you can easily dry your own flowers using the air-drying method. This method is economical and requires only a few basic tools but can provide amazing and lasting results.

How to dry flowers using the microwave method

The microwave method is a quick and effective way to dry flowers without having to wait for weeks or months. Here's how to proceed:

1. Select the flowers you want to dry and remove any leaves and thorns.
2. Place the flowers on a glass plate and cover them with another inverted glass plate so that the flowers do not directly touch the bottom of the microwave oven.

• Place the plate in the microwave and turn on for about 2-3 minutes at maximum power. The exact time will depend on the power of your microwave and the type of flower you are drying, so check every minute to make sure they don't burn.
• Remove the plate from the microwave and let it cool completely before touching the flowers. The flowers will be fragile, so handle them with care.

Remember that this method works best with small and thin flowers, such as daisies or lavender. If you have larger or thicker flowers, you may need to increase the time in the microwave or use other drying methods.

Drying flowers is a fantastic way to preserve them for a long time and use them in many ways. With the microwave method, you can have dried flowers in minutes instead of weeks. Try this method next time you want to preserve your favorite flowers.

Conclusion

Now you've learned how to dry flowers using the microwave method. Remember to choose small and thin flowers for best results. There are also other flower drying methods you can try if you want to preserve your favorite flowers. Experiment and find out which method works best for you.