How can I air dry fresh flowers?
Flowers are a symbol of beauty and exude freshness all around. However, fresh flowers have a short shelf life. Drying flowers using the right technique can result in preserving them as close to their original form, flexibility, color and texture. There are many methods that are used to dry flowers. Pressing is the most popular form of drying fresh flowers. Flowers are neatly straightened and kept between sheets of paper and weighted. This ensures that the pigments are not lost and the color is retained. Special devices called plant presses give excellent results. This method should be adopted when the flowers are fresh, so that they remain so in the dried form. Violets, pansies, larkspur and ferns preserve well when pressed in this manner. These dried flowers can be arranged in framed displays. Air-drying, also known as “hang and dry” method, is the oldest and simplest method for preserving flowers. The flowers are collected, tied and then hung upside down in a warm, dry place. Since t
