In this post you are in today, We are going to let you know the different methods that exist to dry flowers. Knowing this process will help us not only to be able to keep them with us for a long time as a memory of a special moment, but they will also become a decorative element in our home.
With the drying of flowers, we are playing with the laws of mother nature, since we avoid that process of withering of the flowers. Thanks to dry them, we can keep in our memory an important event of our life, be it a birthday, birth, wedding, etc.
Almost all flowers are suitable for drying, but there are some varieties that give better results than others, if you want to know what they are, don't worry, we'll tell you right away. The drying of flowers, can be, as we have just mentioned, an activity that takes us to an unforgettable moment, but it is also a very educational activity to do as a family, with which to educate the little ones about variety and care of the nature.
Step prior to drying: harvesting
We are going to give you a series of tips, so that you take them into account when starting the process of drying flowers. The collection of the flowers that you want to dry must be cut when the bud is just open.
Add, that the The best time to start this collection to later dry these flowers is during the midday time slots on sunny days.. A flower that has been picked on a rainy or cloudy day, in the early hours or after it rains, has the drawback that it can rot due to the moisture in the petals.
Another aspect that should be kept in mind is that, if the flower to be picked is spike-shaped, they should be picked when their lower buds are open and the upper ones are closed. Remember to take the flowers with a long stem, this way you will avoid having to wire them.
What are the best flowers to dry?
At this point where you find yourself, we bring you a selection of which are some of the best flowers to dry. As we well know, there is a wide variety of flowers that are very valid for this process.
Mimosa
One of the most fashionable flowers, if we talk about compositions with dry flowers. With their powerful yellow color, they take flower arrangements to a higher level, giving them a cheerful and fresh appearance. Remember that they are very sensitive flowers because if they have been dry for a long time they easily lose their small flowers.
Bromine Bloom
Also known by the name of Cystisus scoparius, it is a flower that is commonly used for dried bouquets. The The colors that this flower presents are between ocher and yellowish green, it also has very small flowers, so it fills any dry job very well. The function of this plant is to give volumes to the compositions.
Lavender
In this case, we bring you a classic from the world of flowers, lavender. With a very striking color and an unforgettable smell. Even dry, she continues to maintain that characteristic smell that we talked about. You can use it as a decoration element or as a natural flavoring.
Marcela
The reddish color, this flower is simply a wonder which will make the compositions impeccable. When a large number of these flowers are brought together, a very striking pompous texture is created. It can be used together with other plants or simply alone.
dried wheat
One of the best known cereals for all of us that is also very common to see in dry works. The spikes, are widely used for the peculiar texture that has, besides that they can be dyed in different colors according to the tastes of the person.
Statice
With a wide variety of colors, ranging from pink to yellow to purple, Stantice is a very popular flower. This plant dries very well and also lasts a long time. in any corner without being damaged. If you want to create compositions with greater volume, you can combine it with any other flower.
Roses
Roses are suitable for the drying process, but keep in mind that they are very delicate. If you have them in a vase with water, wait for this liquid to evaporate, this way you will make them dry naturally without losing their precious color. They are flowers that provide a romantic and bohemian air.
Methods for drying flowers
If you want to know how to dry natural flowers, whether they are as a decorative element or for natural flavourings, in this section you will find We are going to name different drying methods.
Surely more than one of us has thought that the process of drying flowers is very laborious and complicated, in that it takes a lot of time. But things are not quite like that, There are different drying methods that are very simple and quick to do.. Depending on the chosen method, it will not only help us to reduce the working time, but it will also give us a different drying result.
Dry flowers with pressing
This first method that we bring you, It is a classic and one of the most used. We warn you that it is not the fastest, since it takes time. For those looking to use their dried flowers for stationery applications, such as collage or even bookmarks.
Es ideal that the flowers you use for this technique, are small flowers and not of much volume. Some of the ones that we advise you to use are lilacs, pansies or lavender. All flowers with very fine petals and very thick stems are discarded.
To carry out the drying process with the pressing technique, you must place the flowers on newspaper, the newspaper below and above. This type of paper will absorb the water that the flowers have and help them dry.
When you have the newspaper wrapper on, will follow another one of blotting paper and another one of cardboard. Once you have everything, seal the sides with the help of adhesive tape. Next, choose a book larger than the wrapper, and insert it between its pages. Place weight on said wrapper, exerting as much weight and pressure as possible.
As we have told you, it is not a quick process, When a week or so passes, you should change the blotting paper and the newspaper for new ones.. And again they will be placed under the weight they had. After one or two more weeks, depending on the flower and the quantity, we will remove the weight and the wrapping, and we will have our dried flowers ready.
air dried flowers
If you want to preserve the natural volume of the flowers, this technique is ideal for it. It is perfect for flowers with large volume and stem.. This method can be done individually, that is, flower by flower, or with a bouquet of up to 10 flowers.
The first thing you have to do is group the flowers into bouquets. If the flowers are small, we advise you to group them and remove the leaves from the stem, so it will be easier to handle. With the help of a rope, hold the stems without exerting too much pressure to prevent them from breaking or bending.
Once you have tied the corsage, the next thing you should do is hang it upside down in a warm, dark, dry and ventilated place. By complying with these conditions, you will prevent the flowers from rotting and losing their natural color. If you are going to dry more than one bouquet, remember to leave enough space between them so that they dry correctly.
After 15 or 30 days, the hanging flower bouquet will be dry. To be able to check it, touch both the stems and the flowers carefully so as not to damage it. When they have a crunchy texture, they are ready, all that remains is to add a floral sealer and the finished bouquet.
sun dried flowers
This technique is suitable for aromatic plants and very fast in the natural drying process. You only have to place the stems of the flowers on a surface, preferably wooden, they must be separated from each other so that they all receive direct light and are ventilated. Avoid getting them wet or leaving them near damp areas. With the help of the direct incidence of the sun, in a week the flowers will be completely dry.
As you can see, it is a very simple process, in which no other element is needed other than the flowers and a wooden surface where they can be placed. To prevent them from blowing away, you can put a weight on the end of the stem, it can be stones or a piece of adhesive tape.
Oven or microwave dried flowers
In the oven, you can dry both full flowers and just their petals. On the oven tray you have to spread them without overlapping each other. The temperature must be less than 80 degrees, insert the tray with the flowers and leave the oven door slightly open, do not close it. This will help the heat to go away and the flowers to burn.
On the other hand, if you prefer to use the microwave, you must place the flowers on a container, it can be a plate, well separated and cover them with the help of transparent film or a microwave-safe lid. Leave them for about a minute at the highest power, if you see that it is not enough time, add another 20 seconds. The larger or larger quantity, the longer the waiting time.
Once you have dried the flowers, you can do endless crafts with them, from a painting, a book or simply a decorative element for any room in your home. If you decide to use some of these methods that we have recommended, do not hesitate to write to us and tell us about your experience. Remember that if you know any other technique, do not hesitate to share it with us.