To preserve the natural shape and beauty of flowers, they undergo a drying process by removing moisture from the flowers. This is done by extracting the moisture from the flowers. Drying flowers maintains the original appearance of the plants but makes them fragile. Therefore, handling them should be done very carefully.
Choosing Flowers for Drying
Before drying flowers, it's essential to select the right plants, as not all flowers are suitable for this process. Fresh, healthy plants with no defects or damage should be chosen before drying. The better the flowers look before drying, the better they will appear in the end.
Among the most popular flowers frequently chosen for drying are:
- Roses;
- Lavender;
- Gerbera daisies;
- Baby's breath (Gypsophila);
- Chamomile;
- Hydrangea;
- Lilac;
- Physalis.
These flowers contain a relatively low amount of moisture, making them suitable for the drying process. Additionally, they have an appealing visual appearance, allowing you to create attractive dried flower arrangements.
Roses
One of the best options for drying flowers is roses. They retain their shape and original color for many months after drying. These plants can be dried in a vase or on a sheet of paper. To achieve the best results, roses for drying should be selected when they are just beginning to bloom, and not all petals have fully opened.
Lavender
Lavender has gained popularity due to its wonderful aroma. This plant has a delicate purple hue and is often used for drying because it preserves its shape and original fragrance.
Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums are also often chosen for drying. They come in various shades, dry easily, and retain their original form. For drying, their stems are trimmed, and they are laid out on a flat surface. Thanks to their durability, they can remain in their dried state for many months.
Other Flowers
Flowers like baby's breath (Gypsophila) and chamomile have small inflorescences and dry well. They can add lightness and airiness to a flower bouquet. On the other hand, hydrangeas have large inflorescences that range from white to purple. Hydrangeas are chosen for drying because of their density and strength.
Preparing Flowers for Drying
Flowers dry best when they are collected in the morning after dew has evaporated from their surface. Almost any plant can be dried, but it's important to cut them at the right stage of their development and choose the right drying technique. To prevent petals from falling off during drying, flowers should be gathered when their buds are not fully open. Otherwise, leaves may start to drop after drying.
Before drying, it's essential to prepare the flowers correctly. It's recommended to spray them with hairspray from a distance of 40 cm. This will strengthen the flowers and allow you to fix all the details in the desired position. You can also insert wire into the stems of the plants to hold them after drying, instead of the fragile elements of the plant.
Methods of Drying Flowers
There are various methods of drying flowers:
- Air drying;
- Press drying;
- Bulk drying;
- Microwave drying.
The simplest way is air drying, as it does not require any additional equipment. All you need to do is gather the flowers into a bunch, tie them with a string, and hang them upside down. This is the best drying method for flowers with large inflorescences. Air drying can take anywhere from 15 to 40 days.
Lavender, baby's breath, chamomile, and bush roses with small inflorescences can also be air-dried, but there is no need to hang them. Simply wrap them in rice paper and place them in a cardboard box. These flowers should be kept in the box for about 2 weeks.
Air drying can also be done by placing the flowers in a vase. To do this, pour a little water into the bottom of the container and place the flowers in it with their stems cut diagonally. The water will slowly evaporate, and the flowers will dry while maintaining their shape. When all the water has evaporated, trim the stems again. To complete the drying process, place the flowers on paper.
How to dry flowers in a book under a press? This method is best suited for flowers with small inflorescences. To do this, place the flowers on a book page and spread them out well. Gently close the book and place it under a press, which can be a stack of other books.
Volumetric drying involves separating the bud from the stem. However, to preserve the plant's integrity after drying, both of these elements are connected with wire. In this method, you can use moisture absorbers such as:
- flour,
- silica gel,
- river sand,
- salt,
- various loose grains.
To carry out this process, place the chosen moisture absorber in a deep container. Place the flowers upside down on it and sprinkle the entire bud, including the spaces between the petals. Flowers with small inflorescences can be obtained in a dried state within 4-7 days, while flowers with large buds are dried for two weeks.
You can quickly obtain dried flowers using a microwave. This is the best option for plants with many smooth and thin petals. To dry in the microwave, cut the stem so that about 3-4 cm remains. To avoid damaging the plants, start drying them in the microwave at medium power for two to three minutes. Repeat as needed until you achieve the desired quality.
Storing Dried Flowers
Dried flowers are best stored at room temperature. They can be placed indoors for interior decoration. They should not be placed in high-humidity areas because moisture can lead to mold on the surface of the dried flowers. It's advisable to keep them in one place and handle them minimally since dried flowers are very delicate, and even slight touches can cause them to shed.
