How to Preserve Spring Flowers with Microwave Drying

Bright flowers, like borage, can be preserved.

Spring flowers bloom and are quickly gone. You can preserve their fleeting beauty for use in crafts and floral arrangements with a method that uses the microwave to dry them, while helping them retain their color. This method is best on bright, colorful, not too bulky, spring blooms that are fresh, dry and neither withered or wilted.

Things You'll Need

• Microwave
• Fresh flowers
• Scissors
• Microwave-safe glass dish w /lid
• Silica gel
• Microwave safe cup or bowl

Instructions

1. Trim your flower stems with scissors to around 1 inch long or even a bit shorter.

2. Fill a microwave-safe container with a layer of about 1 to 1 1/2 inches of silica gel. Silica gel is a drying agent that helps remove the moisture from the flower.

3. Place the trimmed spring flowers into the gel, stems down, with blossom facing up. Ensure they are not pointed downward, as this can really hinder your final product.

4. Pour more silica gel gently over the flower petals. Be careful not to add so much that you cause the flower to press out and become flattened. Cover it completely and get it in between those petals otherwise you will not end up with the desired result or colors.

5. Place your dish in the microwave and set 1 cup of water behind your dish. Heat for 1 1/2 to 3 minutes on "Medium" setting. Heat and timing can vary based on flower type. Play around to see which times work best to thoroughly dry out your spring flowers of choice. Check on the flowers every 30 to 45 seconds to prevent from over drying. Spring daffodils often take around 1 to 1 1/2 minutes to fully dry.

6. Remove the container and let it sit undisturbed for an additional six to 24 hours to ensure proper drying and to prevent limp lackluster results. If you run into any trouble using this method after it is removed from the microwave you can try immediately placing a lid on the container and just slighting opening one corner of it and let sit overnight to see if your results turn out better.

7. Pour out the gel and remove your flowers carefully. Avoid touching the petals with your fingers as the oils in your skin can cause dark blemishes on the flower petals. Clean them with a not-too-stiff makeup brush to clean up your flower petals.

Tips & Warnings

• Work with just a few flowers at a time and only do flowers of similar size shape and structure at any one time.

• You can spray lightly with an acrylic spray or hairspray.

• Do not allow your flowers to rest on each other.

• Be sure to completely cover the entire flower.

• Do not reuse your container for food purposes after you use it for this.

References

• University of Missouri Extension: Drying Flowers and Foliage for Arrangements