It's Easy to Learn Flower Drying by Villette Mastase

Just as there is more than one flower that makes a good
choice for drying, there is more than one way to dry a
flower. The three most popular ways to dry a flower are;
1) Silica Gel 2) Use a dehydrator and 3) Use Glycerin. Some
people may also attempt to dry a flower by simply hanging
it and air-drying. This method is much less reliable as
there are so many variables like temperature and moisture.

Depending on your purpose, there are three main methods of
flower drying to choose from. One way you can use is to
apply silica gel or a proper alternate. Another is to use a
dehydrator. Thirdly, is the absorption of glycerin. These
methods are superior to simply air-drying the flower
because they eliminate huge variables, such as moisture and
temperature.

Silica, which is actually a form of sand, can be
substituted by clean sand, borax or cornmeal. This method
calls for a dry container with a tight fitting lid. Take
the container and line the bottom with a thin layer of the
gel. Then, place the flower in the container while adding
more gel around the bloom in order to avoid crushing it.
Once it is secure, sprinkle some gel over top. Next, cover
with the lid and allow it to sit for about a week or until
completely dry. Once finished, use a small paintbrush to
remove remaining silica.

If you want to dry a flower for potpourri, it is much
easier to simply use a dehydrator. If you don't have a
dehydrator, you can place the flower in a loosely woven
basket and leave it hanging in a dry place. Remember the
more heat, the quicker the flower will dry.

If the project at hand calls for the bud to remain pliable
once dried, glycerin should be used. In order to do so, the
stems of the plant should be placed in glycerin and thusly
absorbed. Glycerin can change the color of your flower.


Villette Mastase designed the Flower KI
website for the flower enthusiast. For more articles
and flower information, go to http://www.flowerki.com