Dried roses will decorate any apartment

06.07.2023 | Dana Rohová

Do you grow roses in your garden at home? Or do you regularly receive a bouquet of beautiful roses that it's a shame to let wither and throw them away? Do you want to keep a wedding or other bouquet as a souvenir? Dry them! Don't you know how to do it? Here are some tips.

Roses not only as decoration

Roses look beautiful, and smell even better. No wonder they are one of the most popular flowers in the world. They have been a part of our lives for a long time, for example the ancient Romans used them to make perfumes or fragrance oils. Are they really only suitable for the vase today?

Of course not! If you have a garden full of them, you can try making something other than home decoration out of them. Although, of course, those are beautiful too.

Roses have a positive effect on our health

Roses are antibacterial, disinfectant, anti-inflammatory and antifungal, and can help with colds or bronchitis, and for women, even painful periods. Dried rose petals can be used to make tea, syrup and lotion, and can be used to garnish a variety of desserts or cocktails.

How to dry roses?

Whether you want to dry roses because you want to use them for decoration or to take advantage of their health benefits, it is important to know how to dry them properly. Follow a nice step-by-step process, don't rush anything. The whole process takes 2-4 weeks, depending on the size of the flowers, and even a beginner can do it. So how to do it?

Step One: Remove leaves and unhealthy flowers

Do you want to preserve your roses or make something out of them? Don't delay in drying them, get started as soon as the flowers start to look tired. Remove the leaves and unhealthy flowers that will cause unnecessary mischief. Dry the stems.

Step two: Make smaller bunches

From a large bunch, make several smaller ones with only healthy flowers. Tie two or three flowers together with a rubber band or basting rod, being careful not to tie the stems too tightly together. This will avoid rotting.

Step three: hang the bundles upside down

You've made the bundles, what next? Find a place to dry the flowers and hang them upside down. This should be a dark, airy place, with at least 15 cm of space between the stems and the ceiling. Take your time, let the roses dry properly.

Step four: fix them with dried flower spray

Has enough time passed and the flowers are dry? Use a dried flower spray to promote colour fastness and prevent the crumbling you would otherwise surely have to deal with.

Did you know there is another way to dry roses and other flowers? You can buy silica gel, which comes in the form of granules, at the store. These are poured into a jar and the roses are placed in it. The silica gel draws in all the moisture and dries the flowers nicely. It will take some time, but the result will be perfect.

In addition, you can also try drying roses in the microwave. But be careful not to burn the roses. Set the oven to the lowest temperature and check the condition of the flowers regularly. Don't forget to take breaks between drying.