Preserving Flowers: Simple and Effective Methods

Preserving flowers has always allowed me to save the beauty and memories related to them. Whether it’s an arrangement for a special occasion or a flower plucked from my garden, I want flowers to stay fresh as long as possible.

I’ve learnt a variety of flower preservation techniques during the years, every one having a unique set of advantages and challenges. Let me explain some of these methods to you.In this article, I’m going to cover over the different those methods in depth to help you decide which one works best for you.

1.Air Drying

Air drying is one of the easiest and most traditional methods I use to preserve flowers. It requires no specific materials, making it an excellent choice for beginners or anyone searching for a low-cost technique. Here’s how I do it:

Steps for Air Drying:

I start by selecting flowers that are not too thick or wet. This method works best with roses, lavender, and baby’s breath.
I remove any leaves from the stems to prevent shape creation while drying.
I tie the flowers’ stems together with a string or rubber band and gather them in little bunches.
I store these stems lying down in a dark, dry, airy area. The darkness helps the flowers keep their colour, while the air circulation prevents infection.
After around one to two weeks, the flowers are completely dried and ready for use in crafts or decorations.

Benefits and Tips:

Air-dried flowers give an old-fashioned appearance that I love for decorating my house.
They can be delicate, so I treat them with care to avoid injury.
To improve their life, I regularly spray them with a light coat of spray.

2. Pressing Flowers

Pressing flowers is a different method that I like because it converts flowers into round, attractive pieces that can be applied in a variety of projects, including albums, building and card making.

How to Press Flowers:

I start by selecting the flowers that aren’t too thick. Flowers such as pansies, daisies, and violets work nicely for pressing.
I put the flowers between two sheets of paper or paper towels to absorb any moisture.
I place this paper bread in the middle of a heavy book, such as an old dictionary or library. To increase the pressure, sometimes I add a couple more books on top.
The flowers take two to three weeks to totally dry and flatten.
When I check on them and see that they are completely dry, I gently remove them and store them in a safe location until I am ready to use them.

Why I Love Pressed Flowers:

Pressed flowers are excellent gifts when frames or used to create homemade cards.
The method’s easiness makes it ideal for preserving wildflowers found during walks or unique flowers from events.

3. Using Silica Gel

Silica gel is a fantastic option when I want to keep the three-dimensional shape of flowers and preserve them in a way that looks more natural.Although this method takes a bit more effort, the results are worth it.

Process of Using Silica Gel:

I like flowers with unique shapes and colours, such as roses, peonies, and dahlias.
I cover the bottom of a jar with about an inch of silica gel.
I set the flowers on top of this layer, facing the upward direction, and gently cover them with more silica gel until they are totally covered.
I close the container and leave it to sit around a week.
Once the flowers have dried, I carefully remove them and brush away any extra silica particles.

Advantages of Silica Gel:

This method keeps the original shape and colour of the flowers much better than air drying.
Dried flowers can be used to create shadow boxes, bouquets, and decorative arrangements.

Caution:

Silica gel is reusable, however it must be dried between use. It absorbs moisture from the air, therefore I keep it in a container that is airtight.

4. Glycerin Method

The glycerin method is special because it maintains the softness and flexibility of flowers. This is ideal for greenery and flowers that I want to remain adjustable over the years.

How to Use the Glycerin Method:

I mix one part glycerin and two parts warm water in a container.
I cut the flower stems at an angle and remove any leaves that would be in the solution.
I put the stems in the glycerin mixture for two to three weeks.
The flowers absorb the glycerin, which replaces the natural water content and prevents them from drying out and becoming brittle.

Best Flowers for This Method:

This method works well with flowers with solid stems and leaves, such as hydrangeas and trees.
It’s also ideal for preserving leaves and branches for arrangements.

Why I Choose This Method:

This glycerin methods helps me create arrangements that look fresh and feel more natural. The flowers keep their flexibility, giving me additional imaginative options.

5. Microwave Drying

When I require rapid results, I use the microwave drying process. While it takes some practice, it’s ideal for those days when I don’t want to wait weeks for fresh flowers.

Microwave Drying Steps:

I wrap the flower in two paper towels and microwave it with a cup of water to help balance the heat.
I set the microwave to low or medium power and heat the flowers in 30-second cycles.
After each interval, I check the flowers to make sure they do not get too hot or burning.
When they’re totally dry, I leave it sit for a few hours to cool and rest.

Precautions:

I need to keep an eye on the flowers in the microwave to avoid them from heating.
This method works best for single flowers or thin flowers.

When to Use This Method:

When I need preserved flowers quickly, this method saves me time and produces good results with very little work.

In my thoughts

Preserving flowers is more than just an enjoyable pastime for me; it’s a meaningful method to capture memories and experiences. Each preserving method has its own unique offering. Air drying produces natural, vintage-inspired the flowers that suffer for years. Pressing helps me to make flat, artistic pieces that I can utilise in a variety of hobbies. Silica gel helps me preserve the flowers’ natural appearance and vitality, whereas glycerin keeps them flexible and fresh-looking. When I’m in a hurry, microwave drying is the best solution.

Preserving Flowers: Simple and Effective Methods