Drying flowers are not as common as one might think, because people often want to keep them fresh instead of drying them out almost immediately. Of course, there are some who dry flowers because they need them to be dry. Flowers are very useful and can be used for more than just decoration. Aside from their healing properties, they can also be used to create art. Of course, other people just wish to dry their flowers in a way of preserving them. Especially those hand bouquets that have sentimental value.
There are various ways to dry flowers and most of them are pretty easy to do. You do not really need fancy materials or anything of the like, but some tend to dry flowers faster. There is even a natural way to dry flowers, and that is a method that most expert florist use. Dried flowers are very useful and still retain their scent and some of their colors which are why even dried flowers are sometimes beautiful to look at and are very useful in design and decoration.
Here are 7 easy and sure ways to preserve a bouquet:
- Microwave – This is a sure and fast way to dry your flowers. If you purposely want them to be dried because you need to use them as dried flowers, then you should definitely go for this method. Of course, you do not just place the flowers in the microwave and heat them. The process is very easy, and anyone can do it.
First, you need to gather all your flowers and place them in a microwavable bowl. Make sure that this bowl is microwavable to avoid accidents. Then you cover the flowers with Cat Litter. You can buy this in any grand supermarket or pet store. About four cups of this should do the trick. Set the microwave on high for two or three minutes. When it is done, let it cool before you pick out the flowers and brush off the excess cat litter.
- Silica Gel – This is a method to dry flowers but preserve how they look like. Of course, they will not be as vibrant as before, but the color would more or less still be the same compared to flowers that wilt. You can buy Silica Gel in craft stores or the mall. This is perfect for flowers who are sturdy inbuilt and nature.
All you need to do is bury your flowers in a container of Silica Gel. Although this process can take some time; about a week or two, the outcome would be worth it as it would almost look like you had just picked them out from your garden.
- Pressing – This is a common way to dry flowers. Some people do it for journaling, or for aesthetics. Some just want to flatten them out so they could frame them and place them around the house for everyone to admire. This is an easy method as you only need to place the flowers in a big or heavy book. An Encyclopedia would work well with this or any other book that is heavy enough to completely flatten out the flowers.
Line the page or pages with wax paper, or parchment paper; whichever is available, and arrange the flowers on the page. You can place them in various pages, as long as the gap is big enough that the pages would remain heavy to flatten all of them out. This method also takes time, but the results would be amazing. Leave the book untouched for at least 7 or 10 days before you open them to check on your flowers.
- Air Drying – A traditional way to go about drying your hand bouquet is by hanging them upside down. This is an easy method, but it also takes time. This method has been used for centuries as it has become common to dry flowers for other benefits and uses. All you need to do is gather the flower arrangement into bunches or separate bouquets and hang them upside down. Make sure that these flowers stay away from direct sunlight and are placed in a well-ventilated room.
- Natural way – The Natural way is for those who want to appreciate their flowers a little longer until they have no more fighting spirit. All you need to do is place them in a vase, change the water from time to time and let the flowers reach their life span limit. They would wilt or dry out eventually and you can use these flowers for other things.
- Dehydration – Drying flowers in this method is somewhat effortless. Like the Natural way, all you need to do is place them in a vase with water. With this method, of course, you just forget about the flowers for a while. Do not change or refill the water. Once all the water is gone, the flowers should remain upright but dry. Flowers that are perfect for this kind of method are Hydrangeas or baby’s breath as these blooms are more tender.
- Sunlight – By placing your flowers in direct sunlight, they can dry faster than they can take in water. This is like the microwave method but in a more natural and cheaper way. Although this method may not be as fast as placing the flowers in the microwave, it still works and you would still get your dried flowers.
