How to Dry Fresh Roses Using Your Microwave

Roses are the ultimate manifestation of nature's beauty. Unfortunately, fresh roses have a limited life span and it can be a bit sad when you place dead roses into the trash can. Fortunately, there are ways you can preserve the beauty of live roses by drying them. By skillfully drying fresh roses, they can maintain their lifelike shape and allow you to enjoy their beauty even longer. Here's a quick and effective way to dry fresh roses using your microwave.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Microwaveable container with lid
• Silica gel (available at craft and floral stores)
• Pruning shears
• Goggles
• Mask
• Gloves
• Spoon

1. Prepare your roses.
   
   Using pruning shears, clip off the stem of each rose until it's about an inch below the calyx. Make sure your rose is completely dry before beginning the drying process. If still damp, allow any water to evaporate before beginning the drying procedure.

2. Prepare silica gel.
   
   When working with silica gel, it's best to wear a mask, goggles, and gloves since the gel particles are small in size and can be inhaled into the lungs causing irritation. They can also irritate the eyes. Fill your microwaveable container with around an inch of silica gel. Insert your rose stem first into the silica gel making sure it doesn't touch the sides of the container. Carefully spoon silica gel over the rose until it's completely covered.

3. Microwave.
   
   Place the lid lightly over your microwaveable container filled with the silica gel and rose. Microwave the container for thirty seconds on the high setting. Remove the container from the microwave and allow it to rest on the counter for a half hour. After thirty minutes has elapsed, open the container and see if the rose petals have completely dryed. They should feel stiff to the touch. If not, you'll need to repeat the process again until the petals are the appropriate consistency. Once your roses are completely dry, put back on your goggles, mask, and gloves and pour out some of the gel until you can grasp the rose by its stem. Gently lift it out of the container.

Tips & Warnings

• You can dry fresh roses using silica gel without a microwave but the drying process will be much slower, generally requiring at least three days. Using the microwave, you'll generally get some discoloration of the rose particularly if your microwave becomes too hot. Since microwave settings can vary, you may have to experiment a bit to get the effect you want.

[vallain]

on 7/1/2008 This sounds like a great project.

[AutumnLeavz]

on 4/28/2008 Excellent article! Can't wait to try this one! 5 stars!