Sunflowers are cheerful, bright flowers that add a pop of color to any room. However, it is not necessary to always have them fresh in the house: you can dry the sunflowers to use them as decorations, souvenirs or even to preserve their seeds or petals. The process is a bit different depending on why you want to dry them.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Dry Sunflowers as Decorations
Step 1. Collect partially blossomed sunflowers
If you are planning to dry sunflowers for decorative purposes, it is best if you use small to medium sized ones that have just begun to bloom. The seeds will not have fully developed, so they should not fall off after drying.
Step 2. Cut the flowers leaving a decent sized stem
The stem should be about 6 inches long, so cut accordingly. Choose a nice symmetrical bloom and remove the dead leaves around the sunflower head.
Step 3. Hang the sunflowers to dry them in a dark and dry place
Tie some thread or kitchen twine to the end of the stem. You can group them in bunches of three, but the heads shouldn't touch. Choose a dark, dry place to hang them, such as an unused closet, cabinet, or attic.
You can also put the flowers in a vase to dry. The petals will arch more gracefully. Always put them in a dark and dry place
Step 4. Check the flowers after two weeks
Sunflowers should be dry in about two weeks, but can take up to twenty days. When they are dry, cut the string and take them out of the place where you put them.
Step 5. Spray them with lacquer
Preserve the color and shape of the flower by spraying it with a hair spray. Now you can put them in a vase or cut off the stems to store them in a shadow box.
Method 2 of 4: Dry Sunflowers with Drying Agents
Step 1. Cut the short stem
When using a drying agent, it is best to keep a stem 3 to 5 centimeters, as it may become brittle after drying. If you want a longer stem, make one with floral wire while the flower is still fresh. Push the floral wire up through the stem, fold it back down and pull it back through the stem. Finally, wrap the thread around itself.
Step 2. Mix borax and white cornmeal
Combine three parts of borax with seven parts of white cornmeal, mixing well to mix thoroughly.
Step 3. Add two parts of borax to one part of sand
This mixture will also help dry your flowers. Add a tablespoon of salt to preserve the color. This mixture is heavier, however, and may make the flowers more delicate.
Step 4. Try the silica gel
Another option is to simply use silica gel, which is the substance found in those packages with the words "Inedible" found in shoes, bags and sometimes food; you can also buy it online or in home improvement stores. It dries things out faster than other blends, so there's no need to add salt to preserve the flower color.
Step 5. Create your own dryer
Use a container with a tight lid, especially if you are using the silica gel method. Place about 2-3 centimeters of drying agent on the bottom, then place the sunflowers face up in the container. Gently sprinkle the drying agent over the flowers until you have covered them, then place the lid on.
Step 6. Place the container in a warm, dry area
Just like when hanging flowers, you need to place the container in a warm, dry place to help dry out. Flowers placed in silica gel should be ready in less than a week. Those in the other drying agents will take a week or two.
Method 3 of 4: Dry the Sunflowers to Collect the Seeds
Step 1. Let the sunflowers ripen in the ground
As long as the weather is still warm and dry, you should let the sunflowers reach full maturity while they are still growing. If possible, don't cut the flower heads before the back turns yellow-brown.
Ideally, you should wait for the sunflower to lose its petals and for the head to hang down. It may be necessary to tie the flower head to a pole when it begins to die, however, as it will become heavier and the plant will begin to weaken under its own weight
Step 2. Protect the seeds with gauze
Wrap gauze around the flower heads and secure everything with kitchen twine. This will protect the seeds from birds and squirrels, while also being able to collect any that may fall. Instead of gauze, you can use a paper bag tied with a rubber band. In either case, the fabric or paper should be tied to the base of the head and the seeds should be protected.
Wait until after the flower has started to die before covering its head
Step 3. Cut the stem of the sunflower at an angle
If you need to cut the flower heads well in advance, due to pests or the weather, also cut about 30 centimeters of the stems. Then, hang the sunflowers upside down in a dry, dark place for several weeks or until the back of the flower head turns completely brown.
Step 4. Remove the seeds after several weeks
Once the flowers are completely dry, you should be able to remove the seeds simply with your fingers or a stiff brush. You can also use a fork.
If you have multiple sunflowers, you can also remove the seeds by rubbing the heads of two flowers against each other
Step 5. Prepare the sunflower seeds for eating
Dissolve a cup of salt in a liter of water. Check the seeds to remove any bits of flowers or plants, then pour them into the water and leave them for 8 hours or more. At the end of this phase, filter the seeds and distribute them on a baking sheet. Set the oven to 220 ° C and let them dry for about 5 hours.
If you want to store sunflower seeds, put them in an airtight container and store them in the freezer. Consume them within a year
Method 4 of 4: Dry the Sunflower Petals
Step 1. Collect the petals
Choose sunflowers with intact and shiny petals; pull the petals one by one with your fingers, trying not to damage them.
Step 2. Dry the dried petals by squeezing them
Place the petals in a single layer between two sheets of blotting paper, parchment, or paper napkins (blotting paper is the best option). Place the sheets between two pieces of cardboard. Put a heavy book on top of everything and let the petals dry for several weeks.
You can also simply place paper napkins or blotting paper between the pages of a heavy book
Step 3. Check the petals
After 2-3 weeks carefully remove the cardboard and blotting paper, then gently collect the petals. If they are still damp, spread out a new sheet of blotting paper and continue to press them for another week or so before checking them again.
Step 4. Dry the petals in the microwave
Place two sheets of paper towels on a microwave-safe plate. Arrange the petals in a single layer on top of these sheets of paper, then place two more clean paper towels on top of the petals. Microwave on high for 20-40 seconds or until the petals have dried completely.
The paper towels will absorb the moisture released by the sunflower petals as you dry them in the microwave
Step 5. Check the sunflower petals after the first 20 seconds
If they are still full of moisture, continue microwaving at 10-second intervals until you feel dry. However, don't let the petals go dry.
Step 6. Dry the microwave dish and change the sheets of paper to dry more petals
You could also wait a few minutes for the paper towels to dry instead of using new ones.
