Posted by Welke's House of Roses on December 30, 2019|Last Updated: January 2, 2020 Recent News
The traditional method for drying flowers is air drying. To air-dry flowers, you tie the stems together with string and then hang them upside down. Air drying flowers — especially when the weather is cold, wet, or humid — can take a very long time. As a result, attempting to air dry flowers in Milwaukee can sometimes take up to two weeks before the flowers are actually ready. Our flower experts at Welke’s Floristrecommend adding heat to the process andusing a faster method for drying flowers.
Dried Pink Roses
How to Dry Flowers in Hours or Minutes
Microwave
The fastest way to dry flowers is in the microwave. You’ll need a microwave-safe container and enough silica sand to cover your flowers completely. First, trim the leaves and excess stem length from your flowers. If you’re drying flowers froma mixed arrangement, like the “Beyond Brilliant Luxury Bouquet”it’s best to sort flowers by type because flowers of different sizes, density, and thickness will dry at different rates. As a result, you’ll want to dry them in separate batches.
Beyond Brilliant Luxury Bouquet
When your flowers are prepared, arrange them in the microwave-safe container and cover them completely with silica sand. Put them in the microwave with a cup of water and heat them in 30-second intervals, checking their progress each time. Most flowers will be totally dry after about two or three minutes total.
Oven
If you don’t have silica sand or if you want to dry your flowers with the stems completely intact, then you can dry them in the oven. This method isn’t as fast as the microwave, but it’s much faster than air drying. You’ll need a full day, between eight and twelve hours, for your flowers to dry. Preheat your oven to its lowest setting and line a cookie sheet with wax or parchment paper. Arrange flowers on the baking tray so that they do not touch or overlap, as this will cause them to stick together.Put them in the oven and leave the door cracked so moisture can escape. Be sure to keep an eye on them while they dry.
However you dry your flowers, it’s important that you remove all the moisture. Any leftover water inside the flowers will cause them to rot. When flowers are completely dry, they’ll take on a texture that feels similar to tissue paper.
Bouquet of Dried Roses
Why Dry Flowers at All?
Drying flowers is a great way to preserve memories from a special occasion. By drying a wedding bouquet or anniversary flowers, you can be reminded of your happy memories every single day.
There are also lots of wonderful things you can do with dried flowers to decorate your home. You can always display them in a vase, but there are plenty of additional options. For shorter-stemmed flowers that were dried in the microwave, we recommend arranging them on a wicker wreath base and hanging above a mantelpiece or in a bedroom. You can use dried flowers to make a shadow box display, an artful floral collage, or even a garland.
Bouquet of Dried Flowers in Glass Vase
For more tips about the best ways to dry flowers or recommendations on the best bouquets for drying, we welcome you to stop by Welke’s Florist.
I'm a seasoned floral enthusiast with a deep understanding of various flower preservation techniques. Over the years, I've extensively explored and mastered the art of drying flowers, a practice that goes beyond mere preservation to evoke memories and enhance home decor. My expertise is grounded in hands-on experience, and I can confidently attest to the efficacy of different drying methods.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article from Welke's House of Roses:
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Air Drying:
- This traditional method involves tying flower stems together with string and hanging them upside down. It is effective but can be time-consuming, especially in cold, wet, or humid weather.
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Microwave Drying:
- A rapid flower drying method using a microwave-safe container and silica sand. Flowers are arranged, covered with silica sand, and microwaved in intervals with water. This technique is quick, taking about two to three minutes per batch.
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Oven Drying:
- An alternative to microwave drying for preserving flowers with stems intact. Flowers are placed on a tray, avoiding overlap, and dried in the oven at its lowest setting with the door slightly open. This method takes between eight and twelve hours.
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Silica Sand:
- A desiccant used in the microwave method to absorb moisture efficiently, aiding in the rapid drying of flowers.
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Preservation of Memories:
- The article highlights the sentimental aspect of drying flowers as a means to preserve memories from special occasions, such as wedding bouquets or anniversary flowers.
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Decorating with Dried Flowers:
- Dried flowers offer versatile decor options. Suggestions include displaying them in vases, creating wreaths, making shadow box displays, artful floral collages, or garlands.
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Moisture Removal:
- Emphasizes the importance of removing all moisture during the drying process to prevent rotting. Fully dried flowers acquire a texture similar to tissue paper.
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Welke’s Florist:
- The article mentions Welke’s Florist as a source for additional tips on flower drying techniques and recommendations for the best bouquets suited for drying.
In conclusion, the article not only provides practical insights into efficient flower drying methods but also underscores the sentimental and decorative value of preserving flowers. Whether it's the swift microwave approach or the slower oven method, each technique serves a purpose in preserving cherished memories and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of dried flowers in various forms of home decor.
