Drying Hydrangeas - How to Dry and Preserve Hydrangea Plants
 When
it comes to drying flowers for craft or decoration, hydrangeas are some
of the easiest and most beautiful to preserve. Plus, these plants
produce large, colorful flowers that can accent any flower drying
project. There are several methods to dry hydrangeas. However, some are
more effective than others. Here is an overview of some of the best ways
to dry fresh hydrangeas.
Before starting any drying process, you will want to wait until your
hydrangea flowers are fully mature. Ideally, the blooms should reach
their peak cutting time between August and October. Cutting too early
can cause petals to shrivel. Meanwhile, drying too late will cause the
flowers to turn brown. Once you have selected your favorite mature
flowers, you will need to remove them from the hydrangea plant. Do not
just cut the flower from the stem. Instead, leave at least ten to twelve
inches of the stem intact. Also, you will probably want to remove any
remaining leaves from the stems of the flowers you are seeking to dry.
Some people recommend hanging hydrangeas upside down to initiate the
drying process.
This is best done by tying several stems together and hanging the
flowers in a warm, dry place. However, several experts note this process
does not preserve the best appearance of the flowers. Instead, water
drying is the preferred method of naturally drying hydrangeas. According
to experts, it seems this technique helps the flowers retain their color
and survive for many years. Water drying is very simple. All you do is
place cut hydrangeas in a vase filled halfway with water. Once the water
in the vase evaporates, the flowers should be completely dried.
Natural drying is preferable for many flower enthusiasts. However,
you can also use silica gel to dry fresh hydrangeas. Silica gel often
helps the flowers retain their color better than natural drying options.
It is also an especially fast drying method. To begin this process, you
will need to pour silica gel crystals into the bottom of a plastic
container. Then, hold flowers upside down just above the crystals in the
container. Continue by pouring more gel crystals around the flowers
until the hydrangeas stand on their own in the container. Finally, put a
lid on the container and allow the hydrangeas to sit for roughly 4 days.
Once you pour out the silica gel crystals, you should have perfectly
preserved flowers.
If you love hydrangeas, drying them could be the best way to take in
their pristine beauty all year long. Dry hydrangeas will last for years.
So, drying your flowers is a great way to preserve their color and shape
far longer than they would survive naturally. |
