How to Dip a Flower

There are many ways to preserve flowers, but to keep them looking as beautiful as the day you received them waxing is the preferred method. You can dip a flower when it is still fresh and the height of its beauty. Wax dipping works particularly well with partially opened roses, but you can experiment with different flower varieties to find the ones that look best in your arrangements once dipped. Flowers preserved by wax dipping can be used in a variety of craft and floral projects.

Things You'll Need

• Sauce pan Metal coffee can Paraffin Flowers Spoon Wax paper

Instructions

1. Fill the sauce pan with 2 to 3 inches of water and place the coffee can inside. Cut a block of paraffin into 1 inch cubes and place inside coffee can. Heat over medium-low heat until the wax is melted and clear. Turn down the heat if the wax begins to bubble.

2. Hold the flower by the stem and dip the petals into the melted wax. Immerse the petal head completely, coating up to a 1/2 inch of the stem. Use a spoon to pour wax over the petal head to make sure it is completely coated in wax.

3. Pour wax over the stem and leaves with the spoon, except for the end you are holding. Set the flower on wax paper to dry.

4. Dip the cut end of the stem into the wax after the rest of the has dried enough to pick up. Make sure the cut end is completely sealed in wax.

5. Allow the waxed flower to harden for one hour. If you need to trim the stem later, re-seal the cut end in wax.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a toothpick to separate petals and leaves to make sure they are completely coated in wax. Paraffin is, usually, available in grocery stores near the canning supplies.

• Cover your work surface with newspaper to avoid spills.

References

• Homemade Simple