Drying Flowers

Materials for drying can come from many places. In addition to home gardens, plant materials may be found in fields, woodlands, roadsides, and lakeshores. The plants you use are limited only by your imagination. Don't be afraid to experiment and try new materials. Some you will like, some you may not. Take notes for future reference on the ones you like.

The four methods commonly used for drying plants are air-drying, plant pressing, using a drying agent such as sand or silica gel, and preserving with glycerine. The easiest methods to start out with are air-drying and plant pressing. Those are the methods we will discuss here.

Most people start out preserving plants by putting a flower or leaf in a large book. This will work most of the time but you risk ruining the book if mold develops. A better method is to place the plants between several layers of newspaper and weigh it down with a heavy object such as a large book. You will need to check the plants periodically to make sure they are not starting to mold. With plants that have a lot of moisture you may need to replace the newspaper if it becomes damp.

Air drying is also fairly easy. One of the simplest methods of air drying plants is to hang them upside down and let the water evaporate. To prevent the growth of molds and other decay organisms, it is helpful to increase air movement around the plants. This can be done by using a small fan or by opening a window. Warm, dry moving air is necessary for successful air-drying.

To prevent colors from fading, dry them in the dark. Plants should be hung where they are out of the sunlight, or they can be covered with a cloth or black plastic that has a few holes cut into the top and sides. Remember to provide good air circulation. Hanging covered plants over a heat vent or a fan can do this. Air circulation is even more important when the plants are covered.

If you would like information on using drying agents or glycerin, libraries have several good references available. Hobby and craft stores are also good sources of information, as well as for any supplies you may want to use in addition to the plants you dry yourself.