Air Drying Flowers

To air dry flowers cut them when the dew is gone, tying several stems together with string or pipe cleaner after the leaves are removed, and hanging in a cool, dry, dark, well-ventilated place. An attic, closet or pantry is a good place to hang flowers for drying. Drying time will vary; check how they feel after a week or so. When they feel crisp, take them down and store in boxes or paper bags.

Annuals like zinnias and marigolds are easily dried. Also, look for transplants of everlasting flowers like Strawflower, Globe Amaranth, Cockscomb, and Baby's Breath.

Drying Flowers Using Silica Gel

Other flowers may require a drying agent such as silica gel. This is commercially available and sold under several different trade names at garden centers.

Fill the bottom of a flat dish 1 inch of silica gel. Put in the flowers. Flat flowers like daisies or pansies are usually best placed face down. Most of the flowers with many petals like zinnias, marigolds, calendulas, mums, and aster do better facing up. Flowers like snapdragons and scarlet sage are placed horizontally. Carefully add more drying agent until the flowers are completely covered. Check in a couple days. Dry petals will feel like paper. Store in boxes with a little silica gel to absorb moisture in the air.

Microwave Drying

The drying agent process can be speeded up with the microwave oven. Prepare a few flowers at a time in a small dish. Put this in the microwave along with a cup of water. "Cook" on medium for 10 seconds to 3 minutes, depending on the thickness of the flower. You must experiment with timing because conditions are so variable. After microwaving, leave in the drying agent for a few hours up to a day or so.

Pressing Flowers

Flowers with flat faces like pansies, petunias, violas, and daisies are good to press. Place 3 flowers between sheets of blotting paper and put in a flower press or weight down with bricks or books. Check them after a week for dryness.

Finishing Your Flowers

After you've dried your flowers, put a strand of No. 2 florist's wire through each flower's head, securing the wire by bending it into a hood at the flower-head end. The final step is to wrap all wire with green floral tape.

---

[Back To Flower & Card Stores] [Mall Index]

OR



Visit Another Mall Category

Stores By Category Stores By Name Angels Animals, Pets Auto Supplies, Accessories Army Surplus, Military Links Art, Artists, Galleries Bath & Body Bears Book Stores Business And Financial Candles, Aromatherapy Cards, Flowers, Flower Care Ceramic Decor Children's Stores Clothing Stores Computer Software Stores Computer Hardware Stores Cosmetic And Fragrance Stores Craft And Handmade Products More Craft Stores Dried Florals Electronic Stores Entertainment Environmental, Land Services Food And Gourmet Cuisine Furniture Gift Stores Graphics, CAD, Drafting Health Products Health Services Health Supplements Home & Garden Decor Home Improvement, Garden Stores Holiday And Store Specials Jewelry Kitchen Music And Video Stores Music Boxes Nightclubs Patchwork/Quilts Patterns Pool And Spa Stores, Pool Care, Water Safety Restaurants Specialty Stores Sport, Trivia Games Wedding/Bridal Wine And Spirits