This document provides information on different methods for drying flowers, including air drying, using desiccants, pressing flowers, and drying in the microwave. It discusses drying flowers upside-down, on a screen, or upright for air drying. For pressing, it recommends using a phonebook alone or with silica crystals, or making a plywood flower press. Finally, it lists some craft ideas that can be made with dried flowers, such as candles, pictures, lampshades, and cards.

1. Dried Flowerswww.sxc.hu

2. MethodsAir drying

3. Desiccants

4. Pressing

5. Microwave (pressed and whole)Air dryingUpside-down by stalks – Choose area that does not receive a lot of sunlight and is not exposed to moisture. Place like flowers together in bunches to avoid some drying before others.http://homeschooling.about.com/od/homeeccrafts/ss/dryingflowers_5.htm

6. Screen drying – spread blooms or leaves on wire screen that receives ventilation on all sides. Turn blooms every day or so. May drop flower stems through screen until bloom rests flat on screen. Good for flowers that will not dry well hanging upside down.http://www.fao.org/docrep/009/ae075e/ae075e259.gif

7. Upright-drying -- For flowers like statice or strawflowers that dry well. Arrange in a vase and allow them to dry in place. May also place into vase with water and allow the water to evaporate.http://www.allfreecrafts.com/nature/air-dry-flowers.shtmlhttp://www.save-on-crafts.com/dryintecforf.html

8. Drying with Desiccants

9. Sprinkle about 1” desiccant on bottom of glass or plastic container. Arrange blooms on top. Cover petals with crystals, including between layers. Do not mix blossom types. Cover with airtight lid.

10. b) Check blooms every 3 days for dryness. Use small paintbrush to remove desiccant. c) May also place into microwave oven for about 2 minutes at 50% power. d) Recycle silica gel by baking crystals in foil-covered pan @ approximately 250 degrees F for 20-50 minutesWetDry

11. Pressed flowersPhonebook alonePhonebook and silica crystals

12. Plywood flower presshttp://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/garden-activities-for-kids4.htmhttp://www.leeswoodprojects.com/flower_press.html

13. Microwave pressed flowersMay use purchased microwaveable flower drying board ($25.30 - 47.95 new from amazon.com) . . .

14. Or -- Make your own press from cardboard for use in the microwavehttp://craftygardener.blogspot.com/2008/02/microwave-flower-press.htmlhttp://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=LyuK6qwlqBg&vq=medium

15. Pressing flowers with microwaveLay petals/leaves/stems/etc. between tissue paperClamp boards together with rubber bandsMicrowave about 2 minutes on 50% power. Add time in 30 – 60 second increments.Allow plants to cool. If not yet dry, microwave another 30 – 60 seconds

16. Book Press vs. MicrowaveBook press without silica may take 6 – 10 weeks to dry, or about 2 weeks with silica; microwave drying takes a few minutesBook press provides better results with some lighter –colored flowers and flowers with higher water content; microwave may turn them brown or emphasize the veiningMicrowave will actually enhance the colors of some darker flowers – works great with roses!

17. http://www.monkeysee.com/play/14406-phone-book-flower-pressing

18. GatheringGather when dry and fresh Cut with scissorsSave in plastic bagTry various types of plants – leaves, stems, grasses, vines, seed headsLook for varying sizes, shapes, tints, veining, and textures

19. Sample CraftsCandleshttp://www.countryliving.com/crafts/projects/dried-flower-candles-0109Pictureshttp://www.countryliving.com/crafts/flower-craft-ideas?click=main_sr

20. http://www.makingfriends.comLAMPSHADEPAPERWEIGHThttp://handicraft.indiamart.com/products/decorative-items/dry-flowers/lamp-shades.htmlhttp://www.allfreecrafts.com/decoupage/potpourri-box.shtmlTRINKET BOX

21. Cardshttp://seedsgarden.files.wordpress.comhttp://craftclub.com/craft/pressed-flower-greeting-cardshttp://www.elizabeths-flowers.com/pressedflowercards.htmwww.hopeforwomen.comBookmarkshttp://www.themusicmansquare.org(http://www.monkeysee.com/play/14402-how-to-press-flowers)www.cardsbyroko.com

22. More ideas . . .• Night Lights • Note Cards• Ornaments With Pressed Flowers• Place Cards• Place Mats • Press Flowers from Special Occasions • Pressed Flower Jewelry• Pressed Flower Luminaries • Rubber Stamping Projects• Stationery• Sun Catchers • Wedding Invitations• Decoupage• Decorate Bags and Boxes• Decorative Mirrors• Decorative Pressed Flower Pots• Fan Pulls • Flower Stickers• Framed Botanical Art• Gift Tags• Herbarium Collections• Journal Covers and Pages• Magnets • Mats And Frames • Memory Book Covers and Pages