How to dry a bouquet of flowers: different techniques to try

When they give you a bouquet of flowers, the normal thing is that you want it to last forever. Unfortunately this is not possible. However, how about we tell you how to dry a bouquet of flowers?

It is true that the result will not be like a natural one, but it will look very good and, above all, you will have it forever if you take good care of it. For this reason, on this occasion we are going to talk about the different techniques for drying a bouquet of flowers and also about the result that you can expect from each one. Go for it?

Techniques for drying a bouquet of flowers

When drying a bouquet of flowers there are very different techniques from each other. Some are very easy to do, while others are a bit more complicated.

Below we will talk about the most common and that you can easily do at home.

hang upside down

This technique is one of the oldest and most common for drying flowers. It is based on hanging the bouquet upside down in a dry and well-ventilated place so that air circulates around the flowers and dries them.

The bouquet should be hung in a dark, dry place to avoid exposure to direct sunlight, as this can discolor the flowers.

Some experts recommend tying the flowers with an elastic band to prevent them from falling off or becoming misshapen. The time it takes to dry depends on the type of flowers, but is usually one to three weeks.

microwave

It is ideal for small and delicate flowers. To carry it out, the bouquet is placed in a container with a thin layer of sand and heated in the microwave for a few minutes. The sand absorbs moisture and helps maintain the shape of the flowers.

Of course, it is important to be careful when using this technique, since the flowers can burn if they are heated for too long. Also, due to the size of the microwave, you cannot fit very large bouquets.

The other option would be with the oven, where you could put some larger bouquets of flowers, but you have to be careful with the temperature.

Pressing

If the bouquet you have is made up of flat flowers, leaves and petals, then this technique can be perfect.

The goal is to place the flowers between two sheets of absorbent paper or newspaper and place a weight on top to flatten and dry them. The weight can be anything that exerts pressure on the flowers so that they release the water and only remain dehydrated, or pressed. For example, you can choose books or bricks. Pressed flowers should be left for one to two weeks to dry completely.

How to dry a bouquet of flowers with lacquer

Apart from the techniques that we have mentioned before, one of the most common in many houses is to dry a bouquet of flowers with lacquer. It is quite easy to carry out, as well as effective. Do you want to know how it is done? Here are the keys for it:

• Prepare the flower bouquet: Choose a bouquet of fresh, freshly cut flowers that you want to dry. If the bouquet is very large, you can cut the flowers and select only a few to dry.
• Add a coat of hairspray: Take a bottle of hairspray and shake it well before using it. Hold the bouquet upside down on a piece of newspaper or a flat surface that you don’t mind staining. Spray a thin, even coat of lacquer over the flowers, making sure to completely cover the flowers and stems. Do not forget the edges of the bouquet. Everything must be moistened by the lacquer. Keep in mind that you will be applying hairspray and it is important that you do it with the windows open and your mouth and nose protected so that you do not drown in the process.
• Let the hairspray dry: After spraying the hairspray, let the bouquet dry completely in a dry, well-ventilated place. The drying time will depend on the amount of lacquer you have used and the humidity of the environment. Generally, it will take about 24 hours.
• Repeat the process: After the first coat of lacquer has completely dried, spray another thin, even coat of lacquer over the flowers. And let dry again.
• Finish the process: Repeat this process several times until the flowers are completely covered in lacquer and have a glassy appearance. Be sure to let the lacquer dry completely after each coat.

Once they get that look and are completely dry, they are ready to be used as decoration. This method is ideal for flowers that have a unique shape and texture, such as hydrangeas, and that you want to preserve. However, keep in mind that the flowers may lose some of their natural color and texture after this process, as the lacquer can add an artificial shine.

There are many more techniques for drying bouquets, but these are usually the most common.

How are dried flower bouquets

Have you ever seen a dry bouquet of flowers? Depending on the technique that has been used, the result can be more or less beautiful (in terms of color, texture, shape…). But do you want to know how it will look depending on the technique you use? We will tell you below:

• Pressed: Pressed dried flowers appear flat and thin, but still retain their shape and color. The flowers may appear a little lighter or more discolored than when fresh, but they will still be pretty. As we told you, it is ideal for small and delicate flowers, as well as for wild ones.
• Air dried: Air dried flowers can maintain their original shape, but with a dry and brittle texture. In fact, the most normal thing is that some petals come off and that the flowers shrink slightly. However, this method preserves flower color and shape better than other methods and is ideal for large, hardy flowers such as hydrangeas, roses, and sunflowers.
• Silica drying: Flowers dried with silica gel often retain their original shape and color. But in the case of flowers, they will have a rigid appearance that makes it obvious that they are not natural. It is ideal for flowers such as orchids, roses and lilies.
• Sand-dried: In this case you will have a bouquet with a more grainy texture and they may seem a little rougher to the touch than flowers dried with other methods. In addition, in the process they can easily lose their color, although not their shape. If you have sunflowers or gladioli, they are two of the best with this technique.

Drying bouquets of flowers is a way to preserve that pleasant memory, even if it does not look like it was just bought. So if you want to experiment, I recommend that you try several techniques until you find the one that gives you the best result for you. Do you know of a way to dry bouquets that are almost perfect?