Fresh floral arrangements can bring joy to your life. If only they could last forever instead of a few weeks! By drying flowers, you can extend their beauty for a year or more. This helpful guide will show you how to dry flowers correctly.
How To Dry Flowers With Silica Gel
There are several methods you can use to dry flowers. The silica gel option is excellent when you want dried flowers to retain vibrant colors and the feathery look of fresh petals. Here’s what to do:
- Gather your supplies: You need a microwave-safe airtight container, plastic squeeze bottle, small brush, pair of scissors and silica gel crystals.
- Prepare the container: Add a 1-inch layer of silica gel crystals to the bottom of the container, or slightly more for large blossoms.
- Add the blossoms: Remove the stems from your flowers and place the blossoms face up on top of the silica gel.
- Cover the petals with silica gel: Using a squeeze bottle filled with silica gel beads, carefully cover every part of the blossoms.
- Microwave: Put the container into the microwave uncovered. Use a low heat setting and microwave the flowers for a few minutes. If the flowers don’t look dry yet, microwave them for another minute or two.
- Let the container sit: After the blossoms are dry, cover the container with the microwave door open. After a few minutes, take the container out of the microwave and leave the lid open slightly so any vapor can escape.
- Remove the blossoms: After 24 hours, you can carefully slide the flowers out of the silica gel. Use the brush to remove any dust. The gel crystals can be reused for other flowers.
Silica gel is much faster than air drying. You can use the method with flowers of any size, including roses, tulips, daisies, lilies and chrysanthemums.
How To Dry Flowers in a Bouquet
Many people love the vintage look of air-dried flowers. With air drying, you end up with pastel hues instead of bold colors, but that gives flower bouquets even more romantic charm. Follow these steps:
- Remove excess leaves and stems: With professionally crafted floral arrangements, this step isn’t necessary, but for regular bouquets from your kids, it makes the flowers look better.
- Cut the stems: Make sure to leave at least 6 inches. Longer is perfectly fine.
- Tie the stems together with string: A tight rubber band also works.
- Hang the flowers upside down: You can dangle multiple flowers or bouquets from a hanger using twine.
- Let the flowers dry: This process takes two or three weeks.
- Preserve the petals: You can spray the entire flower with a preserving agent or simple hairspray to protect it.
Keep the bouquet in a dark but ventilated spot while it’s drying. Direct sunlight makes flowers fade.
Why Dried Flowers Are Popular
Flowers are incredible reminders that someone appreciates you, celebrates you or loves you deeply. When you know how to dry flowers, you can treasure wonderful memories for ages.
For advice on putting together the perfect floral arrangement, contact our legendary designers at Beverly Hills Florist. Discover spectacular bouquets for any occasion.
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/drying-flowers-with-silica-gel#how-to-dry-flowers-with-silica-gel
https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/flowers-and-plants/flowers/how-to-preserve-flowers
https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/home-and-family/how-to/drying-and-preserving-flowers-with-silica-gel