Dried flower making is actually this simple, you'll get the method at a glance

Air-drying method

It is the simplest and most commonly used method for making dried flowers.

1. First, choose a warm, dry indoor space with good ventilation. The flowers have decorative value during the drying process, so you might consider using a bedroom or dining room as the air-drying spot.

2. Preparing the flowers: For perennial wildflowers, hydrangeas, delphiniums, tansy and similar flowers, tie them into small bunches with fine linen thread and hang them upside down on hooks or a thin string, making sure to keep them away from the wall. Papyrus, lavender and pampas grass should be placed in a wide-mouthed container to air-dry, so they can spread out in a fan shape. Some flowers just need to be laid flat on a rack.

3. The air-drying time varies with the type of flower, air humidity and temperature. Remember to check and smell them every two or three days. If your flowers feel as crisp as paper, they are done.

Microwave drying

Drying with a microwave is a newly emerged method, characterized by its short time. This drying method is suitable for flowers that can be air-dried, such as herbs, daisies, roses, calendula and others, as well as some grasses such as pampas grass, thistles and papyrus.

1. Place the flowers on paper towels without overlapping. If there are many flowers, do it in several batches.

2. Put the flowers in the microwave and heat on medium or high for one minute. If they are still not dry, replace the used paper towels and heat again.

3. Take them out of the microwave and remove the paper towels. Wait for them to cool (at least 10 minutes) before using them for decoration.

4. The microwave drying time depends on the type of oven and the number of flowers. For berry-type plants, first air-dry them in a cool, dry, ventilated place for at least one week to avoid bursting in the microwave.

Borax mixture

This method is not suitable for particularly fragile and delicate flowers, because the petals may fall off during the process.

1. Choose a sealable container, borax (available at craft stores or household goods stores), and cornmeal (or sand). Mixing in one tablespoon of iodized salt can make the dried flower colors brighter, but it is not effective in all cases.

2. Mix the borax and cornmeal into the container, making sure there is enough mixture to cover all the flowers.

3. Put the flowers into the container on top of the mixture, then use a spoon to slowly cover the flowers with the mixture. You can add some grass to the sand so the petals can remain in a natural state and avoid distortion. The flowers must be completely buried in the mixture, then put the lid on the box.

4. The drying time depends on the moisture in the petals and the air humidity. Check regularly to see whether they have dried to your ideal state. When the time is right, you can take them out and brush off the sand.

Pressing method

This method is simple and easy to learn.

1. Choose some small, relatively flat flowers. The stems should not be too thick or too round, and the flowers should not be too three-dimensional. Commonly used ones include pansies and lilacs.

2. Place the flowers on dry light-blocking paper. You can use newspaper, cardstock or paper napkins. Arrange them in a shape you like, then place another sheet of paper on top to press them down.

3. Place large and heavy objects on the paper with the flowers sandwiched inside.

4. Wait 1-3 weeks, and the pressed flowers are done. After the first week, remember to replace the original paper holding the flowers with new clean paper, then put them back under the heavy object.

5. You can frame them or make them into bookmarks.

Oven drying method

This time, because the heat is stronger, larger flowers and flower stems with thicker stalks are more suitable, such as chrysanthemums and zinnias.

1. Cut a piece of wire mesh or fine grid of appropriate size, pass the flower stems through the holes, with the flowers resting on the wire mesh and the stems hanging below.

2. Put them in the oven and set it to 100 degrees, gradually drying the flower stems. This process takes several hours, and the specific time depends on the characteristics of the flowers.

3. Take out the flowers, let them cool after they are completely dry, and start using them once they reach room temperature.