There are around 23 varieties of hydrangea that boast a broad spectrum of shades of white, pink, lilac and blue. It doesn't matter if you bought them or grown them in the garden, you can prolong their beauty by letting them dry out. This article tells you how to dry hydrangeas using three different methods: silica gel, water, and a press.
Steps
Step 1. Choose the hydrangeas to dry
To maintain shape and color, it is best to start the process when the flowers are at the peak of flowering. Cut or buy fresh, freshly cut flowers, even better if they are open on the morning of the day you are going to dry them.
Method 1 of 3: Method One: Silica Gel
Step 1. Prepare the flowers
Remove any discolored parts and extra leaves so that the flowers have a nice shape. Cut the stems 2.34 cm from the base of the flower.
Step 2. Prepare the container for drying
Choose a plastic one with a lid that is the right size. Even better if it is deep, as the flowers will be covered by the silica gel.
- Pour a thin layer of gel into the container. It should cover the entire bottom evenly.
- Better to overdo it than to put a little, since the flowers should not touch the bottom of the container.
Step 3. Place the flowers in the container
Take each inflorescence from the stem and carefully arrange it upside down. Add as many flowers as you can comfortably fit into the container without them touching or brushing the sides.
- Place the flowers in the gel carefully so that the delicate petals do not bruise. Make sure they stay suspended in the gel.
- The stems should stay straight without touching the lid. If a stem goes over the edge of the container, choose a deeper one.
Step 4. Add more silica gel
Add enough to completely surround the flowers and keep them straight.
- Spread the gel around each hydrangea until it stays put. There should be at least a couple of inches of it.
- Hold each flower steady as you sprinkle the gel into the container.
- Keep pouring in the gel until it covers the petals and leaves. Finally fill the container by almost 2 cm over the corolla and covering the stems.
- If the container is narrow and very deep, you can suspend the flowers at the bottom, cover them with gel, and add more to the top. Just make sure the container is deep enough for the flowers not to touch each other.
Step 5. Let the flowers dry
Put the lid on the container. Place it in a corner or closet to aid the process.
- Write the date you dipped the flowers in the gel so you know when to take them out.
- Forget about it for 4 days. Drying hydrangeas with gel for too long would make them brittle.
Step 6. Remove the flowers from the container
After 4 days, they should be dry.
- Open and carefully pour the contents into a newspaper. Remove the dried hydrangea flowers and gently beat them to drop the dried gel crystals.
- Store the silica gel in the plastic for future use.
Step 7. Display or store the hydrangeas
Carefully place them in a plastic bag until you are ready to set up a vase.
Method 2 of 3: Method Two: Water
Step 1. Prepare the flowers
Remove any discolored parts and extra leaves so that the flowers have a nice shape. Cut the stems to the desired length.
Step 2. Fill a vase or container with some water
Put the stems in the water up to halfway.
Step 3. Let the flowers dry out
As the water begins to evaporate, the flowers will slowly dry out.
- Do not place the vase in direct sunlight which could burn or discolor the corollas.
- Do not top up the water or the stems may rot before drying out.
- This drying process will take one to two weeks.
Step 4. Remove dried flowers
Trim the stems if they have become rotten or discolored. Place the hydrangeas in a plastic bag or vase.
Method 3 of 3: Method Three: Pressing
Step 1. Prepare the flowers for pressing
Pressing the flowers helps to preserve the color and shape of the petals, but the structure of the hydrangea will change, flattening out.
- Cut the inflorescence in half to keep the round profile.
- Cut the flowers individually and arrange them so that when dry they still look like a hydrangea.
Step 2. Prepare the press
A press consists of two pieces of plywood tightened by screws and wing nuts. Remove the top piece of plywood and place a piece of cardboard, then two sheets of parchment or press paper on the bottom.
- Cardboard and parchment paper should be slightly narrower than the press bed.
- The bottom sheet is called "absorbent". It absorbs the moisture of the dried flower and needs to be changed every couple of days. The one on the top plywood holds the flowers in place during the process.
Step 3. Arrange the flowers on the paper
Place them so the petals don't bend and break unless you intentionally want to give them a scrambled effect.
- A little layering is acceptable, but putting in too many petals will not dry properly.
- If you want, add leaves, ferns or other flowers.
Step 4. Complete the composition
Cover the flowers with a sheet of parchment paper, a second absorbent sheet, cardboard and the top piece of the press. Tighten the plywood with wing nuts.
Step 5. Let the flowers dry
Put the press in a dry place in the house.
- Open it and replace the absorbent sheets every couple of days. Throw away the old ones and put in new ones.
- After a couple of weeks the flowers should be completely dry. Remove them from the press.
Step 6. Lift them off the parchment paper
They are ready to be used in projects such as postcards or jewelry. Pressed flowers look beautiful even framed.
Advice
- The silica method can also be reproduced using a cat litter or a 2-part mix of borax and sand.
- For an easy alternative, try hanging the flowers upside down in a dark place with good air exchange for 2 - 4 weeks.
- If you don't have a flower press, you can compress hydrangeas using a book or the microwave. For more information see Pressing the Flowers.
