How to dry flowers?

Are you a flower lover and want to learn how to dry them to preserve them longer? You've come to the right place! In this article, we'll explain step by step how to dry your freshly cut flowers to make beautiful decorations.

Why dry flowers?

Drying your flowers has many advantages:

• This allows the flowers to be preserved for longer, up to several months in some cases.
• Dried flowers can be used to create beautiful decorations, bouquets or floral arrangements.
• This is a great way to keep a memory of your favorite flowers.
• Dried flowers are easier to store and transport than fresh flowers.

In short, the technique of drying flowers is an excellent way to prolong the life of your most beautiful flowers and to share them with your loved ones!

What are the best flowers to dry?

Not all flowers are equally suited to drying. Some varieties preserve better than others. Here are some of the flowers best suited to drying:

• The roses
• Lavenders
• Carnations
• The immortelles
• The statices
• The gomphrenas
• Hydrangeas
• Chrysanthemums

As a general rule, flowers with stiff stems and firm petals are the easiest to dry. Avoid flowers that are too fragile or have a high water content, such as tulips or peonies.

How to dry flowers?

Here are the different steps to follow to dry your flowers optimally:

1. Choose the right time to cut flowers

To get beautiful results, it is important to cut your flowers at the right time of day. It is best to pick them in the morning, after the dew has evaporated but before the sun is too strong. This will help preserve their freshness and color as best as possible.

2. Prepare the flowers

Once cut, start by carefully removing any damaged or wilted leaves and stems. Then cut the stems to the desired length, depending on how you want to use them.

3. Choose the drying method

There are several techniques for drying flowers:

• Air drying: This is the simplest method. Simply hang your bouquets upside down in a dry, dark and well-ventilated place. This technique is ideal for hardy flowers such as lavender or immortelles.
• Oven drying: preheat your oven to 40-50°C, place your flowers on a rack and let them dry for 2 to 4 hours depending on their size and thickness. This method is ideal for delicate flowers.
• Drying in sand or silica: completely cover your flowers with fine sand or silica beads and let them dry for 1 to 2 weeks depending on their type. This technique allows you to perfectly preserve the shape and color of the flowers.

4. Check the drying

Whichever method you choose, check the condition of your flowers regularly. They should be completely dry and brittle to the touch. If not, leave them a little longer.

5. Store dried flowers

Once dry, you can store your flowers in a dry, dark place away from humidity. You can keep them in airtight boxes, bags or jars. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight which could dull their colors.

And there you have it, you now have all the keys in hand to dry your favorite flowers and make beautiful decorations! Don't hesitate to test different methods to find the one that suits you best. With a little practice, you will become an expert in floral drying.

Additional Tips

Here are some additional tips for successfully drying your flowers:

• Preferably choose freshly cut flowers, without defects or bruises.
• Avoid exposing your dried flowers to direct sunlight which could dull their colors.
• Remember to store your dried flowers in a dry, dark place, away from humidity.
• You can also add some silica crystals to your boxes or bags to absorb residual moisture.
• For optimal preservation, you can spray a little hairspray on your dried flowers.

With these few tips, you should be able to dry your flowers perfectly and keep them for many months. Don't hesitate to test different methods and let yourself be guided by your creativity to create superb dried flower arrangements!