Get Crafty This Spring!
Make your cherished blooms last forever with these creative preservation techniques.
By Mia Thompson
Updated: April 5, 2023
Originally Published: March 26, 2021
(Elva Etienne/Getty Images)
Spring brings a burst of color with vibrant flowers gracing our neighborhoods! While beautiful, the fleeting nature of these blossoms can be disheartening. Fortunately, there’s a way to hold onto your favorite flowers long after they would usually wilt. What’s this magic? There are effective methods to keep your fresh flowers vibrant and techniques to dry and preserve them for a lasting keepsake. With a bit of practice, you’ll learn how to preserve a wedding bouquet or create meaningful gifts for loved ones.
How to Keep Your Fresh Flowers Thriving Longer
To extend the life of your flowers, the initial care is crucial. Mix three tablespoons of sugar with two tablespoons of distilled white vinegar in warm water. The sugar nourishes the plants, while the vinegar combats harmful bacteria. Regularly replace this mixture, especially when it becomes cloudy. There are also popular tips suggesting adding a small amount of bleach or a penny to help your blooms last longer.
How to Preserve Flowers Before They Wilt
Before your flowers start to fade, enjoy their beauty and consider these methods to keep them alive longer:
- Lightly spray hairspray from a distance and hang them upside down to dry.
- Trim the stems.
- Dip the flowers in glycerin, which replaces water and helps maintain their appearance, although colors may fade over time.
Methods for Drying Flowers
Once your flowers reach their peak, it’s time to dry them. Different methods work better for various types of flowers and environments. If you have significant blooms, like a bridal bouquet, it’s wise to practice these techniques ahead of time.
Microwave Drying
Yes, you can dry flowers in the microwave! Place your blooms on a square of paper, cover them, and put them inside a paper towel. Weigh them down with a microwave-safe object. Test the timing in 10-second increments to avoid burning.
Salt Drying
Using salt can preserve the colors of bright flowers. Find a container where the flowers won’t overlap, mix equal parts of borax and white cornmeal, and add three tablespoons of salt. Cover the flowers with this mixture, and in about two weeks, they’ll be dry and colorful.
Oven Drying
This method can be intimidating but is effective. Cut the stems and place the flowers on an oven rack at 150 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep a close eye on them; they should dry within an hour and a half, depending on your oven.
Other Preservation Techniques
Drying isn’t the only way to keep flowers. Here are some other methods that capture their original colors beautifully:
Book Preservation
This traditional method is easy. Use a heavy book, ensuring the flowers are moisture-free before placing them between the pages. For best results, use parchment paper and wait around ten days.
Resin Preservation
Using epoxy resin is a fun way to turn flowers into usable items like jewelry dishes or paperweights. Ensure flowers are completely dry before using resin to prevent decomposition. Craft stores offer molds to help you create beautiful forms.
Dried flowers can last a few years, especially if kept out of direct sunlight and humidity.
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Summary:
With various techniques to dry and preserve flowers, you can create beautiful keepsakes that last for years. Whether using the microwave, salt, or resin, preserving flowers can be a rewarding craft that captures precious memories.