Drying Roses The Right Way
By Rob Clifton
For gardeners it is well known that it takes a certain amount of discipline to cultivate a rose garden. With drying roses it is not nearly a large of an amount of information needed to successfully dry a rose. Cultivating a rose bush is more of a science and a discipline, whereas drying roses is more of an art form than a science. It is an art form that can be learned by anyone willing to give it a try.
Drying roses is a great method that you can use in order to preserve their beauty and their memory. It is important that you first learn how to dry a rose properly before you actually attempt to do so. You don't want to damage the lovely rose you are attempting to preserve, do you?
Techniques in Air Drying Roses
The two most commonly used techniques in drying roses are: sand drying and air drying. Each method has its strengths and weaknesses. Learn each method and then determine which will work the best for you.
In this article we will explore the various ways of air drying roses. All that is required is a pair of high quality shears, florist wire, coat hanger and a dark dry location.
Within the air drying technique there are several different methods that you can choose from, they are drying the flower only or drying the flower and stem.
To dry the Rose Flower Only
• Cut the stem from the rose as close as possible to the flower.
• Cut a piece of florist wire about six inches long.
• Insert a piece of florist wire into the rose bloom.
• Wrap the other end of the wire around the coat hanger.
• Each rose must be dried hanging upside down.
• Make sure to leave some space between the roses, they should not be touching.
• Hang the coat hanger in a dry dark room for about two to three weeks to be certain that they are completely dried out.
Another air trying technique is to dry both the rose flower and its stem. With this technique the dried roses can be displayed in a vase or in a dried arrangement.
Drying Roses With the Stem
• Start with unblemished roses
• Remove bottom leaves
• Collect a few stems together
• Wrap an elastic band round the collection of stems
• Hang the collection upside down from a coat hanger, nail or hook in a cool dry, dark location
• In about two to three weeks you will have a collection of dried roses
Now that you have learned how to air dry your roses. Dried roses make wonderful accent any room décor. A bouquet of dried roses in a vase adds a lovely touch to any room and will brighten up a sterile office environment.
For more information on planting roses try visiting http://www.factsaboutroses.com, a popular rose gardening website that offers tips, advice and resources including information on care for roses, green roses, colors of roses and how to address problems with roses.
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