How to dry roses?

Question

I want them to look more full- is there something to put on them when air drying them?

Answer 1

They sell a flower drying salt stuff (silica gel, you place flowers face down into it and it dehydrates them) at craft stores, I've never used it but I hear it works. I just tie a bunch of roses together and hang them upside down in my closet, the air circulates, and dries them out evenly and their perfume permeates my closet so it smells fantastic.

Answer 2

Silica gel or a borax-sand mix are the best things I have used for
drying my flowers especially ones that wilt quickly (like violets, roses, carnations & dahlias) You need to get a container that is large enough to allow the flowers to dry without overlapping or crowding them. Pour about a 1/2" inch of Silica gel or a borax-sand mix into the bottom of your container. Then place the first layer of flowers on top of that. Any flat-faced flowers like daisies & such can be placed face-down. Other flowers should be placed face-up or standing up. But gently place the Silica gel or borax-sand mix around & over the flowers, being careful to retain the flower's real form. Continue layering the flowers & adding your silica gel or borax-sand micture until the container is full or all flowers are covered. Then cover it & place it in an out-of-the-way location. You can put a like test flower near the top & then you can check it out to see how it's progressing & this way you won't disturb the other flowers. Drying is complete when the flowers petals are crispy, but not brittle. Drying time will vary depending on the type & how many flowers you have in it.
Also:
Your microwave oven can be used to dry flowers too it's a lot
quicker and you actually see the results of a fresher,
more colorful dried flower. You have to support the flowers really really good in a microwavable container & leave the container uncovered to allow good air circulation. But if you add a cup of water to the flowers while your drying them this will help prevent excessive drying/or drying too quickly. Your flowers should be microwaved on you high power setting. And the drying time depends & as it can vary, your flower type, or how many flowers your drying at one time & your microwave. Small flowers (violets, daffodils & such) may need only one to two minutes, but larger flowers (roses, mums & dahlias & such) may take three to four minutes longer. Microwave in one-minute increments until you get the result you want.
I don't know of a product you can use to make them more full but I believe the way you place the mixture around them is suppose to preserve them & mine all look full & colorful.There are several methods of drying flowers that can be used to preserve them. And Air drying is simple and works best for those that have sturdy stems & flowers that are naturally semi-dry.
Just remove the foliage from the stems & tie the bundle together. I recommend using a rubber band to secure the flowers together, that way one don't slip out & land on the floor & bust apart.
Hang them upside down in a cool, dark place with good air circulation for about three weeks.
Good Luck! I have dried flowers all year round & they always look great no matter which method I use. But patience & lots of flowers are the best ingredient to have alot of to start off with.

Answer 3

hey quick way tie them upside down, in a warm place, and make it quicker put a fan on low and have it blow on them it not only makes the room smell good but it drys the flowers too.

Answer 4

I dry my flowers by tying them in small bouquets and hanging them upside down. It usually keeps them in the same form that you hung them in.