Dried flowers are a beautiful way to keep summer blooms around for year-round enjoyment. Here’s how to properly preserve those pretty petals.
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What You’ll Need
You’ll need a few supplies before you get started preserving your dried flowers. Gather up some silica gel, a container, and your dried flowers. You’ll also need something to weigh the silica gel down with, like a piece of foam or a small rock.
Dried flowers
To dry flowers, you’ll need:
– Flowers
– Silica gel or borax (optional)
-Paper towels
-Packing peanuts
-Airtight container
Silica gel
Silica gel is a granular, vitreous, porous form of silicon dioxide made synthetically from sodium silicate. It is widely used as a desiccant (drying agent) because of its high affinity for water molecules.
Airtight container
An airtight container will keep your dried flowers looking fresh and vibrant. You can purchase airtight containers specifically for dried flowers, or you can use a mason jar or another type of jar with a tight-fitting lid. Avoid using plastic bags, as they will cause your flowers to lose their color and become brittle.
Preparing the Flowers
To start, you will need to gather your materials. For this project you will need: dried flowers, silica gel, a sealable container, scissors and a paintbrush (optional). You will also need something to weight the flowers down with in the container, such as a small bag of rice. Once you have all of your materials, you are ready to begin preserving your dried flowers.
Remove all leaves from the stems
To remove the leaves, hold the stem in one hand and gently strip the leaves off with the other hand, working your way down the stem. If you are careful, you should be able to remove all of the leaves without damaging the flowers.
Cut the stems to the desired length
When it comes time to prepare your flowers for drying, the first step is to cut the stems to the desired length. You’ll want to make sure they are short enough to fit in your chosen drying method, but long enough that you can still hold onto them while you work.
Next, remove any leaves that will be below the water line. Flowers will absorb moisture through their leaves as well as their stems, so if you leave any leaves on, they will just end up rotting and causing your flowers to mold.
Once your stems are trimmed and prepped, it’s time to choose your drying method.
Place the flowers in the airtight container
Remove all the leaves from the stems of the flowers, as these will rot and cause the flowers to deteriorate. Cut the stems to about 2 inches in length, using sharp scissors or pruning shears. Place the flowers in the airtight container, making sure they are not touching one another or the sides of the container. Dried flowers are fragile and can be easily crushed.
Filling the Container
To start, you will need a clean, dry container. The container can be made of glass, metal, or ceramic. Fill the container with dried flowers, making sure to pack them tightly. Next, add a layer of desiccant.
Fill the container with silica gel
To keep your dried flowers looking their best, start by filling the container with silica gel. You can find this at most craft stores. Silica gel is a desiccant, which means it absorbs moisture. This will help to keep your flowers dry and prevent them from turning brown.
Once you’ve filled the container with silica gel, add your flowers. Arrange them however you like, then seal the container. Make sure the lid is airtight to prevent moisture from getting in.
You can display your preserved flowers as is, or you can add a ribbon or other decoration to the lid of the container. If you want to keep them for a long time, store them in a cool, dark place.
Place the lid on the container
Once you have all of your materials, it’s time to start filling your container. Make sure to put the lid on the container before you start filling it. This will help to keep the flowers from falling out while you are working.
Start by adding a layer of crumpled tissue paper to the bottom of the container. This will help to cushion the flowers and keep them from being damaged.
Next, add a layer of dried flowers. You can use any type of flower, but make sure that they are completely dry. If they are not dry, they will rot and ruin your arrangement.
Continue adding layers of tissue paper and flowers until the container is full. Once it is full, seal the lid on the container and store it in a cool, dark place.
Storage
Keep your dried flowers away from sunlight and heat as this will make them fade. The best place to store them is in a cool, dark, dry place such as a cupboard or drawer. You can also put them in an airtight container to keep them fresh for longer.
Store the container in a cool, dark place
Dried flowers will last longest if you store them in a cool, dark place. This could be a cupboard, drawer or box. Make sure the container they are in is airtight so that they don’t become dehydrated and crumbly. You can wrap the container in black paper or cloth to keep out light.
Enjoy Your Dried Flowers!
Dried flowers are a great way to enjoy your favorite blooms long after they’ve faded in the garden. With a little know-how, you can preserve them so they keep their color and shape for years to come.
The first step is to choose healthy, freshly-picked flowers that have been free of pests and diseases. Once you have your blossoms, it’s time to prepare them for drying. Depending on the flower, this may involve hanging them upside down, pressing them between sheets of wax paper, or air-drying them.
Once the flowers are dry, you can store them in an airtight container away from direct sunlight. You can also add a few drops of essential oils to the storage container to help preserve their scent. With proper care, your dried flowers should retain their beauty for many years.
