How to Dry Flowers
Drying flowers is a great way to keep those beautiful flowers looking like new. They also make for great memorabilia, household decorations, and decorations you can attach on gift cards or book covers. Sounds interesting? Here’s how to get started.
Box Method
The box method is fussier than the air-dry method, but if you wish to preserve and dry roses, zinnias or daisies, this method is the recommended option.
Materials
Fresh-cut flowers
A box or several boxes, around five inches thick each
Fine, dry sand or silica gel
Pruning shears
Procedure
Line the box with a layer of fine, dry sand or silica gel.
The fresher the flowers, the better. Choose ones with half-opened buds.
Remove the leaves at the lower parts of the flower. Do not remove the leaves that are nearer the flowers.
Place the flowers face-down in the box. Make sure that they are spaced evenly without touching each other.
Add more sand or silica gel over the flower until the whole flower heads are covered.
Place the box in a warm, dry place where it won’t be disturbed.
Leave for two weeks, remove the sand first until the dried flowers can be removed.
Air-Dry Method
The air-dry method is the easier method of the two, but make sure that you have a space where you can hang up your flowers to dry.
Materials
Fresh flowers
String
Pruning shears
Procedure
Choose fresh flowers with half-open blossoms.
Use your pruning shears to strip the leaves found on the lower parts of the stem. Do not remove the leves nearer the flower heads.
Take eight to ten flower stems and tie them with a string or flower tape. If you’re using a string, don’t tie it too tightly or in such a way that will cut into the stems.
Find an area that is warm, dry and well-ventilated. An airy cabinet should do the trick.
Tie up the flowers upside-down on a bar, spaced apart so as not to touch each other.
In warm weather, the flowers should be dried fully in ten days. Take them down and set them apart carefully. You may then use your dried flowers as you wish.