drying my valentine roses ??? any ideas how to do this ? can you do it ?

Answer 1

Hi j.j.

This method is best for rose buds that are just about to open. Hang them in a warm, dry and dark place with good ventilation for a two weeks. Tie a string around the stems and hang them upside down. This will prevent moisture from becoming trapped between the flowers which can mold them.
Once they are completely dried be careful to handle them with care for they will now be brittle.
Display them tightly in a terracotta pot .

Desiccant drying

This method is perfect for open roses.

You will need an airtight container that measures 1 inch taller than the roses you are drying and silica gel crystals (enough to completely cover your roses -standing on end) If you would prefer to save on silica gel crystals you can cut the stems shorter.
Put 1/2 inch of Silica Gel in an airtight container -place the roses so that the blooms face up.
Cover them very carefully with more silica gel crystals until every part of the flower is covered. Now seal the container tightly. Keep them at room temperature for 10 days before removing the lid of the container. After 10 days carefully remove them from the desiccant. cheers

Answer 2

I know there are ways to dry them in a microwave, but I think the good old-fashioned method works just great...

Tie the bouquet together at the stems with rope or string. Hang them out of the way, in a dark, warm area, upside down until they dry (at least 3 weeks) If you don't wait till the petals start falling off or you can see the entire middle because the rose is completely open, to dry them, they'll last even longer.They'll keep their shape and their petals this way and will dry very well.

Once they are completely dry, use a spray craft or flower sealing spray. I suggest a satin finish and not a semi-gloss or gloss finish...makes the flowers look fake if they're too shiny! The spray sealer will hold the petals in longer and will also protect the flowers from dust.

To dust the bouquet now and again, use the lowest setting of your blow dryer on the cool setting and just let the air do the work for you, without harming the flowers.

Some roses, no matter how you dry them, won't keep their original color... white roses usually turn yellowish and yellow turns brownish.... But hey, a rose is a rose is a rose.... :)

And just a fun little tidbit of info: To make your flowers live MUCH longer (I've kept Tulips! for up to 5 weeks..!!!) place them in 7Up instead of water. Use the 7Up at room temperature. Carnations can last up until 3 months this way! A florist told me this in England... and it REALLY works! You try keeping Tulips 5 weeks...!

Answer 3

Hang them upside down from a string for a week or so. That way the little leaves will dry without wilting away from the rose.

Answer 4

Tie the bunch with string and hang them upside down in a warm place where air circulates so there will be no mildew. It works every time but best if the flowers are taken out of water before the heads droop.

Answer 5

All you need to do is leave them in the vase but tip any water out so stems don't go rotten. Discard any other greenery which came with them. They'll just dry out themselves over a few days. I've done this with loads of roses.

Answer 6

When I wanted to dry out my wedding bouqet I hung it upside down in the airing cupboard for about a month - probably didn't need that long, but I wanted to make sure it was completely dry!!!!
After that I was told to put hairspray on it - not sure if there was a special reason for that or if it was to make it smell a bit nicer!!!
That was 18 months ago and it's still o.k.
Hope that helps.!!!

Answer 7

Yes, Tie them with a ribbon and dry them upside down in a dark dry place. They will come out beautiful and be totally preserved. Good Luck

Answer 8

Most of your answers are in the right direction. Can I just add that you need to hang them for at least 3-4 weeks, otherwise the heads will droop. I've tried less time and it's not enough.

Answer 9

get a big book put roses in the middle of the book maybe if you want fold a piece of paper with the roses in the fold then close book and get heavy books and put on top of book with roses in it

Answer 10

Hang them upside down somewhere warm. Don't touch them too much when they are dry, or they'll fall to pieces.