How to Preserve Color and Beauty in Dried Flowers

How to Preserve Color and Beauty in Dried Flowers

Dried flowers have a particular quality that lends chic to any décor. Preparing dried flowers requires very keen know-how and little or no extravagant equipment. In essence, drying flowers is very simple. The only things that the ordinary person must take into account are tiny details which are needed to guarantee the beauty and longevity of dried flowers.

In general, there are two ways to prepare dried flowers: (1) hanging and drying, and (2) drying in silica gel. Whether you prefer to use the first or second, the goal is to remove moisture from the blossoms without drastically modifying their shape and color.

Here are some basic steps in preparing dried flowers using the hanging and drying method:

• Pick flowers in good condition. Avoid flowers with shattered blossoms. Preferably pick fresh buds and blossoms for the drying process.
• Find a warm and well-ventilated area to hang and dry the flowers.

Hot attics and other well-ventilated dark locations will swiftly dry out blossoms.

Group your flowers into bunches with at least 3-10 stems. Fasten each group with a rubber band and hang them upside down to dry. Rosebuds, zinnias, blue salvia, tansy, celosia (cockscomb), artemesias and yarrow are flowers that go well with the hang and dry method of drying flowers. If the flowers are more open and delicate, opt to dry the flowers via the silica gel drying method. Silica gel is a material, usually in packets, which is used to avert moisture damage. It can be purchased in craft and hobby shops and/or sections of local supermarkets. Open roses, peonies, Queen Anne’s lace and zinnias are flowers which are compatible with the silica gel drying process.

Here are some basic steps when using silica gel to prepare dried flowers:

• When using silica gel, be sure to cut flower stems short, about 1 ½ to 2 inches long.
• Gradually pour about 1-2 inches of silica gel at the bed of a tin or plastic container which can be sealed securely.
• Set the blossoms in the silica gel with a one-inch space between them.
• Lightly sift silica gel in and around the blossoms. Be cautious not to alter the shape of the flowers. Secure the container with a tight-fitting lid.
• After 3-7 days, check whether or not the blossoms have become brittle or are still damp. Do this by poking your finger into the silica gel and touching the side of a blossom.
• Keep your blossoms this way until they are completely dry when touched.
• Take out the dried flowers with utmost care and keep them in a well-ventilated area.

For more information on the drying process, it is best that you gather information from respectable companies in the floral industry. Choose companies like Schusters of Texas, Inc. which have years of experience in the flower business, and which offer simple how-to guides for the amateur and professional florists.