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With silica gel, you can easily preserve red roses flowers
Thanks to their abundant beauty, red roses have long been a Valentine’s Day symbol. And nothing stands more unique than preserved red roses.
Valentine’s Day Roses, Preserved red roses, Dried red roses
Red roses are to Valentine’s Day what kisses are to love; they make the occasion that much sweeter. Whether you can afford to buy single red roses, a fresh red roses bouquet combined with other flowers, long-stemmed red roses, or an entire room filled with red, the gifts below can convey the depth of your feelings.
If you are someone who wouldn’t want to part with their red roses, then we suggest you dry them up. If your sweetheart surprised you with a bouquet of roses, follow these tips for keeping them bright and beautiful long after.
Traditionally preserved red roses were achieved by drying a bundle or bouquet of flowers hanging them upside down in a ventilated area for a few weeks until completely dry. But If you don’t have the space or time to wait for your flowers to air dry, then you can instead use flower dry silica gel to dry your flowers more quickly, and often with better results.
What is flower dry silica gel?
Flower dry silica gel is comprised of a mixture of very small blue indicating and white silica gel beads (or crystals) that work to adsorb the moisture from the flower petals. The blue indicating silica gel beads will change color from blue to pink once the silica gel is saturated and needs to be replaced or recharged.
Supplies Needed
- Flowers
- Air tight containers
- Flower dry silica gel
- Cup
- Flower trimmers
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these 12 steps to easily dry and achieve preserved red roses.
Part One: Drying Process
1. Determine the red roses you would like to dry. Be sure that the petals are free from liquid water or condensation before beginning the silica gel process.
2. Place a layer of red roses dry silica gel in the bottom of an air-tight container. Make sure the layer is at least 1/2″ – 1″ deep, or otherwise deep enough to hold the flower stems.
3. Trim the red roses stems and insert the stems upright into the layer of silica gel. Long flowers, like snapdragons, larkspur, etc., can be laid on their side in the silica gel. Flat flowers, like zinnias, can be placed face down. Fill the air-tight container with as many flowers as you can accommodate in a single layer.
4. Using a cup, gently pour the silica gel onto the red roses petals. Make sure you place silica gel in between the petals, but take care to keep the shape of the flower intact.
5. Continue to gently pour silica gel into each flower until all red roses are covered.
6. Seal the container and move it to a shelf for drying. Make sure that you don’t tip or shift the contents. In fact, it is best to not move the container until you are ready to remove the flowers.
7. After 2 – 6 days, check to see if the drying is complete. Drying times will vary based on the type of flower. Achieved preserved red roses
Part Two: Removing the preserved red roses
1. Remove the top of the container and gently pour out enough of the silica gel to expose a portion of the flowers.
2. Remove each flower and gently shake out the silica gel crystals.
3. Using a new air-tight container, cover the bottom with a thin layer of flower dry silica gel and place the dried flowers inside the container for storage.
4. Seal the container and store for future use.
5. The remaining silica gel that was used to dry the flowers can be saved to dry more flowers.
NOTE
To determine if the flower dry silica gel is suitable for drying, verify that some of the crystals are still blue. If the blue crystals have faded to white or pink the silica gel will need to be recharged.
