How to Save a Rose

If you have a special rose that you would like to cherish for years to come, you can save it as keepsake with wax or by drying. Follow these steps to dry your rose.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fresh and firm rose
• Paraffin wax
• Pot and stove
• Wax paper
• Cookie sheet
• Ribbon

Wax

1. Melt two blocks of paraffin wax in the top of a double boiler. Make sure all the wax is melted. Put on low once wax is melted.

2. Cut the flower stem so that it is about 2-inches long.

3. Holding it by the stem cautiously dip the entire bloom into the wax. Lift immediately and allow excess wax to drip into pan.

4. Gently spoon a little wax in the center after it is done dripping to ensure coverage.

5. Hold the flower for 30 seconds. Place it on its side on the wax paper covered cookie sheet.

6. Dip the stem in and out of the wax 2 or 3 times once the wax has hardened

7. Repeat steps 1-6.

8. Let rose set 30 minutes until cooled after each dipping.

9. Wrap a ribbon around the stem for decoration once it has dried and cooled.

Drying Preservation

10. Tie a string around the stem and hang roses upside down on a hanger.

11. Hang roses in a dry and dark place that has good exposure to air for roughly 2 weeks.

12. Handle carefully once they are dry, as they are now brittle.

Tips & Warnings

• Handle carefully so not to crack the paraffin wax.
• Paraffin wax is very flammable.