Making Dried Flowers

Selecting Specimens You Like

Cuttings that dry well include the annual Strawflower that grows 2-4’ high producing various colors from pink to gold to salmon. Due to their rich color they make good accents. True to their name they have a straw texture and are a double flower. A long, tall tapered look is seen in the Larkspur; which has small, dark pink to purple flowers and is favored by those who like a heavily flowered plant. Ornamental Chili Peppers provide red fruit on a woody stem and are commonly dried for Christmas wreaths.You may want to enhance the selection of what plants you happen to grow by purchasing varieties already dried or preserved such as Curly Willow branches, preserved Misty, dyed German Statice and preserved Sheet Moss.

Photos of Dried Flowers

4 Ways to Dry Botanicals

• Air Drying:  Place the cut flowers in a warm, dry area away from direct sunlight on newspaper to absorb any moisture and sort them by type. Remember that humidity and UV light are the chief causes of decay. Don’t freeze them or put them in a very cold part of your refrigerator—where leafy greens freeze. Don’t spray with water. The simplist method of drying is air hanging the plants from a wire or clothes rod to dry naturally. At the risk of sounding like Captain Obvious make sure you hang them blossom side down; because if you don’t the flower will eventually go into a wilted form—I know you can picture that!  A laundry drying rack works well too. Move over sweaters! This method enables you to keep valuable or fragile plants apart rather than bunched up, so they will not have to be pulled apart when done.Drying time varies considerably depending on air temperature and humidity. Your patience will pay off if you endure the wait! Once the drying is complete you should store them in a place that won't require you to move or handle them frequently as they are delicate. Never store them in plastic containers or plastic bags as they will sweat and then rot. See now, those pretty petals can be petulant if not cared for just right! They will keep in a cardboard box with ventilation holes. If the preservation process involved silica gel, apply a thin layer of the gel to the bottom of the box.

  Here is an opportunity to use that forgotten barn or shed outside—or an opportunity to get your husband to build you one!—as drying plants in darkness where there are cool updrafts is ideal. Of course this would be after your husband builds a greenhouse that you know will fit in your backyard! Protect them from rodents and use mothballs too. For bulk drying large quantities air drying is the best method. Strip off unwanted leaves. Band them together with a rubber band as it will shrink as the stems do. Don't bunch too many together or allow the flower heads to closely touch each other. Some very large heads like Sunflowers are best dried individually. If you tangle leaves and blooms together in the bunch they will stay that way when dried. Hang them suspended from secure hooks where air circulates. Drying time is anywhere from a few days to several weeks. You can tell they are ready when they feel quite crisp. Floral sealant is a smart last step as it prevents shedding. Easy enough!

• Silica Gel:  This is a very different process to get dried flowers. It results in the flowers retaining spectacular color and appearing almost fresh and alive. The silica gel—resembling rock salt—must be ground to fine granules. It can be reused countless times. You redry the gel in a warm oven each time you want to use it. This method works for flower heads. Once the flower head is totally dry you can begin. Egg cartons or small plastic flower pots are ideal as the holding area for the gel and flower head. Tins can be used for a large quantity of flowers. The egg carton or pot must be filled 1/3 full of gel. Set in the flower head and start with the outer petals and work in. Gently spoon the gel between each petal. Do this until the head is fully covered. Cover and check on them in 2 days. They can overdry so remove flower heads when dry to avoid this. Large-headed or heavy flowers sometimes take 5 days. Be very careful in removing the flower. Excess gel can be removed with a fine watercolor brush or hair dryer set on low and cool if your hand isn’t so steady. To revive the flower's color spray a bit of wax polish on it.

• Large Flower Drying:  A suitable method for drying large flowers like Sunflowers, Peonies, Globe Artichokes and big Thistles is to dry them flat. Lay them on a wire garden sieve and rest it on raised objects to create space underneath. Again, drying time can be 2 to 5 days. When finished spray with an aerosol floral sealer. Grasses, lichen, moss, bamboo and leafy branches dry when spread out on cardboard or even wooden boards in a single layer. They retain their shape on the stalk unlike if they were hung upside down.

• Oven Drying:  Another method for drying in emergencies—don’t ask me what constitutes a floral emergency—uses your oven or microwave. The trick is to set the temperature in a conventional oven at its very lowest setting (100 degrees). Drying will take a couple of hours at least. Use a fan-assisted convection as a conventional oven generates too much moisture. If a microwave oven is used set it on high. Check the plants very frequently, as often as every 10 seconds before they burn.

• Glycerin:  This water absorbing substance is perfect for preserving plants like Mimosa with its fern-like leaves and round puffy flowers; and the many slender, branching stems of Baby’s Breath topped by tiny florets. Mistletoe is preserved with this method as well. It works best with mature leaves. Boil about 2 pints of water and add a large tablespoon of salt to dissolve in the water. When the water reaches a warm temperature pour into a jar. Stand this jar in a bucket as support for the plant. Stand the stems in the hot water for 24 hours. Make a mixture of 1 part glycerin to 2 parts hot water. Replace the old water with this new mixture and stand the plant in it up to 10 days. Among the various grades of glycerin the technical grade works well. The leaves will look darker and feel slightly sticky when sufficiently saturated.

Seeds and Petals and Books Too!

Also get a book about drying flowers to accompany the seeds you can grow yourself.

	Autumn Grains (Kitchen) Autumn Grains- This swirl of grains, tapestry millet with wisps of preserved sunset star grass sets the stage for later summer or fall. About 20'' across. List Price: $50.31 Lowest New Price: $52.11 (as of 7/3/2009@6:13 AM)
	Bachelor Button Tall Blend Heirloom Seeds 300 Seeds (Lawn & Patio) Did bachelors in gentler times wear these in their lapels? Although this is an annual it does reseed. As with most reseeding plants, it resents being transplanted, so sow it where...more List Price: $1.59 Lowest New Price: Too low to display (as of 7/3/2009@6:13 AM)
	Microwaved Pressed Flowers, Vol. 8: New Techniques for Brilliant Pressed Flowers (Book) Thanks to the revolutionary techniques and the step-by-step instructions in this unique manual, the art of flower pressing is easier, quicker, and promises more beautiful results ...more Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (See the reviews) List Price: $19.95 Lowest Used Price: $7.03 (as of 7/3/2009@6:13 AM) Lowest New Price: $16.40 (as of 7/3/2009@6:13 AM)
	Bougainvillea Petals (Lawn & Patio) Beautiful and Elegant Bougainvillea Petals List Price: $39.95
	Forever Flowers: A Flower Lover's Guide to Selecting, Pressing, and Designing (Book) Flowers have the ability to raise our spirits and bring joy into our lives. Now anyone can make flowers last a lifetime by following the methods found in this book. Besides prov...more List Price: $21.95 Lowest Used Price: $1.55 (as of 7/3/2009@6:13 AM) Lowest New Price: $7.25 (as of 7/3/2009@6:13 AM)

The Fruits of Your Labor

During recent years dried floral arrangements have become popular as their availability has increased. You may have heard of freeze-drying flowers. This process is a combination of science and design. Leave that to professionals and their equipment.You can arrange your little beauties in a container of your choosing. Often they’re seen in wall baskets or country style metal wall buckets. And don’t we all tend to have assorted baskets we can stuff with clusters of flowers and herbs? They appear to have just come in from a botanical garden.

Stores For Floral Supplies

	Calyx and Corolla Shop for the freshest flowers, plants, and dried items at Calyx and Corolla. Calyx and Corolla flowers are shipped to you while they're still in bud; this ensures that your flowers will last as long as possible. Within a few days, the petals will begin to open and fresh blossoms will emerge. The flowers exhibit a great deal of vitality, just as they would if they were growing in the garden. And because Calyx and Corolla growers span the globe, Calyx and Corolla can offer summer-bright Gerbera da...
	Growerflowers.com Roses are red, violets are blue…. Looking for a bouquet for a special occasion? Or just some flowers to say “I love you” visit GrowerFlowers.com! Growerflower.com offers a huge selection of flowers, bulbs and spa gifts all at a great price. You’ll find a flower or gift can put the right touch on what you are trying to say and at Growflowers.com you can find the perfect gift basket or bouquet for any occasion you are celebrating. Grower Flowers.com you get awesome discounts, quality and you ca...
	LandscapeUSA Make your lawn beautiful with everything from bulbs to bird feeders. Great selection and prices! LandscapeUSA is there with all the supplies you need for gardening around the house. They even help you with year-round greenhouse gardening. Grow your own herbs, vegetables and flowers to add life to your yard. Add decor and structures, even small ponds. They carry everything from seeds to bonsai to composting. Get all the gardening supplies and learn the ins and outs of growing and maintaining beau...

How To Press and Dry Flowers