Drying flowers is a common preservation method that helps maintain their beautiful appearances and vibrant colors for a long time. Carnations, known for their sweet, spicy scent, are a popular choice for preserving flowers. There are two main methods to dry carnations: air-drying, microwaving, or pressing. Air-drying involves selecting healthy stems with fully open or almost open positions.
There are two main ways to preserve carnations: drying larger, more robust flowers or whole bouquets (like roses) and pressing smaller, more delicate flowers (like lavender). Dianthus Caryophyllus, the most commonly considered variety of carnations, grows best in humid areas and can be dried using the standard method of hanging them upside down in a cool, dry, shady room.
Carnations on the stem are great for arrangements or single decorations and can be dried using the standard method of hanging them upside down in a cool, dry, shady room. For medium-sized flowers like pompom zinnias or any cone-style, dry at 135F for 4-12 hours depending on the size of the flower heads. Perennial carnations and dianthus varieties usually dry within a week or two in a flower press, while the long-stemmed traditional florist carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) can take three weeks or more to dry fully due to its unique properties.
Dried carnations come in bunches of 10 stems ranging from 14″-22″ long and come in various sizes. They are beautifully preserved to last in your arrangement for years and can be used with other dried flowers or plants to create a beautifully arranged look.
📹 I Turn Old Flowers Into Art For A Living
How nice would it be to press flowers for a living? Special thanks to Lacie for sharing her story with us! Check out Framed …
📹 🌼How to Dry and Preserve Flowers | Dried Flowers (Rose and Carnations) 🌹
Today we use two methods to make dried flowers # 1 Use silica gel crystals (desiccant) to make dried flowers # 2 Natural air …
I’ve been playing around with pressing flowers and I’ve discovered that the best method (for amateurs) is to take books without glossy paper (the best is paper that’s like construction paper), fold one or two pieces of printer paper in half and put the flowers and petals in the sandwich of paper, then put the sandwich in the center of the book. I’ve tried just stacking books but oddly, I discovered that I got the best results by putting the thin books (with flowers) under my mattress, laying over the boards of the box frame. Then, every day or two I take the book out and carefully take the paper sandwich out (do not open it until the flowers are dry, if the paper feels damp or cold they are not dry) and carefully I put it in the center of another book and put it under my bed again. I let the first book dry out then I repeat this process until they are dry. I’ve found doing this method will dry them out faster and keep their colour much better. Note, this will warble the pages of the book and likely also stain them. I’ve also noticed that having stems or the bases of the flowers (the head) will make them less likely to keep their colour as they dry. Either it’s because too much liquid or potentially the plant is sucking the moisture back into the stem and it takes longer to dry. I’ve given up trying to press some flowers with their stems because of this. Once the plants are dried, you can remove the plants with one of two methods I use: you can press your finger pad against the pressed plant for a few seconds then lift your finger and hopefully the pressing comes with it.
What a neat story, thank you Lacie for sharing it with us! I’m so happy that you put your dream into a reality!! That achievement by itself is very empowering……… Plus, what you do is very unique & it makes it that much more special!😉😉 In all my years, I have never come across a business like yours!! Here’s to many, many, many more years of living your dream!! Cheers Lacie!!
Have you tried using a Microfleur microwave flower press? Many white flowers come out whiter when pressed in it. Also, some other flowers do better in it, while some do better in the press you use. It may be something to experiment with and may give you a broader option of flowers you can use in your art.
Hello..I’ve been planning on sandwiching dried flowers between two panes of glass for a while – I went to view a business unit yesterday & realised just how good it would be for pressing & making flower pics, because of how much natural light flooded in. So I did a quick search to see if anyone else had thought about it & I was a tad surprised to see you had already started creating frames in the same way using glass..well done you😉 But I was also happy😊 for you! I’ve learned lots from perusal your articles – a big thank you for that👍you have saved me so much trial & error👏 I’ve been making & selling wildflower seed bombs for years & I grow alot of flowers & much of my own veg already on my creature friendly allotment here in Cardiff, Wales – flowers are a passion. I just wanted to let you know how great you are to share the information – I too believe in sharing knowledge 👏 And I’ll be using your tips for years to come💚👍🌸
my sister used to dry flowers when she was a kid back in 80’s, but did different method in drying the flowers and plant leaves by placing them between sheets of her books, they dried very well just as you showed in your article, she did that for hobby and fun, but she never thinks to frame them. I like your idea, it is a piece of art.
Very nice. Glad you could make a biz out of it. A couple things, drying with wax or parchment paper, folded in half and put in a book works faster and better for color. Soooo many flowers lose color with your method. Taking out the middle of a large flower is GENIUS, thank you! There is also a microwave flower press sold that works very well. For fading flower…. a question below… many od the water based art ink sprays work well, “Tint It” Spray works well. Hydrangeas… you can seperate each flowerette and just leave alone to dry… actually, my plants died while still in the ground. They were perfect, no pressing and they dry in exact same shape as the live flower. Then spray with art ink & you have a beautiful bowl, vase, flower box, etc. I happened to find the ones I had pulled out & kept that I was always going to do something with someday… and now is my favorite flower to work with. Thanks for a gfrat article
Oh my goodness, this women right here is definitely my soul friend. I love pressing flowers. Everytime my mom or my suster gets flowers I cannot stand to see them thrown away. There was this one time, where I need to take the dry flowers out of the dustbin, just because I could not stand them be thrown away. I live in a type of desert so I do not think my flower busnes will survive because people have very little to survive on. But I really love pressing flowers, it makes me happy so I will make sure that I will be the best in my business.
Did some magical angel speak to you about me ? I’m now seeing this article and hear what, I’m a preschool teacher and I myself am getting that nag like right now. Just a few weeks ago I’ve started crafting and selling my products and I too am dedicating myself and one year to this baby of mine 😍. I’m just on you tube this morning looking for inspiration and ideas and bam, here you are talking about my life which was yours 8 months ago. Omg, thank you, this is all I needed ♥️♥️♥️
This is a beautiful idea with the floating frame but it sounds like you can’t use all flowers so that kind of stinks. she started this based on not wanting to throw away her own bouquet, but they look like white roses to me, which she says don’t do well. I can see friends or customers wanting to preserve a special flower or bouquet but I’d hate to have to tell them they don’t have the right flowers to be pressed into a pretty frame. do you press them anyway or pass on those? you do a beautiful job! 🎉
Wow. I’ve had this idea for about 3 years. This year I finally decided to really do something about it and start my business! I loved sending my mother flowers but wanted them to last longer. Although seeing more people opening up similar businesses discourages me a little, I’ve been working on pressing flowers that typically people say don’t press (roses, sunflowers) or adding other mediums into my art.
Thank you very much you are an inspiration. And thank you for being honest and very helpful in in your description for pressing flowers. Your teaching skills are present in your presentation. I’m trying to start my own business. And dry flowers are one of the items that I’m going to start using and now I know how to press them thank you.
Hello! Wow I’m so impressed! I need help and I don’t know where to turn, I have been pressing poppies, some of the poppies start to fade almost immediately after drying, turning white on edges soon the whole flower has no pigment left. same plant, same processing, maybe 1 out of 5 will change to white. I don’t know where to get help, then saw your article. Would love to hear if you have an idea thank you. Beautiful work!
Have you dried flowers in the microwave.. I found that before finding you? Also do you use hairspray to help preserve them better? Or clear nail polish? If I did want to use polish or spray or clear Elmer’s glue? Do you know what I could lay them on.. to dry also?? I want to put them In or On little Beach jars.. my Husband and Grandson got me Flowers yesterday (also want to make a scrap book now 💙🧡💙) I’m making these little jars because a place called.. The Sponge Docks in Tarpon Sp FL. I’m putting all together with items I bought there as a surprise to my kids! The Sponge Docks is a special place.. we used to visit there all my life and my kids life and now it’s been years since we’ve been there cause I moved 3 hrs away from my Family and don’t drive now!! So then on my way home.. my sweet Husband stopped to pick flowers for Grandma 🥲🙏💗 on our way home from the visit with my kids and family.. WHAT A GREAT EARLY MOTHER’S DAY WEEKEND WITH ALL MY LOVED ONES AND BABIES🥰 I can’t believe all this happened for Me!? And Father’s Day this year will mark 3 years ago I was in a 20 day Coma from an ear infection (something I never had.. I was 47.. So I did Not know what to do about it so I thought it would go away like a toothache or something? So I Lived Thru ALLOT.. other things could have Taken Me from them also) So Much Good at Once I’m beside myself🙏😇 So I want to mark these SO VERY PRECIOUS Moments and Memories as soon as possible for my Babies!
That was really fun to hear your story. Thanks for sharing many tips of the trade. I also have my own business with flowers but it is arranging flowers for weddings and other big events. I have been able to do it out of my home and I love it. It has been a steady business for me for the last 13 years. I do think it could be fun to also offer something like what you do for those that want that as well.
So I made the press by myself! It’s not that hard. Got one large thing of plywood from home depot. Had them cut it in half for free. $7-10. Got the screws & the little knob things. I forgot the cost, but like I think the total cost of everything was $22. I got cardboard from Walmart for over $1. I am using printer paper which I hope it works.
ive looked at the plants being in resin and thought that in those bookmark molds, instead of plants, why not ethically gathered butterfly wings? i think that some wings would just look amazing as a bookmark and would go perfect with a lot of the other plants and flowers to go in the resin, assuming its that season. i honestly hope my vision isnt so controversial and isnt triggering to most people.
Please dó take notice of the way you get the butterflies, because there is not really an animal-friendly way of getting them. Usually those are farmed and haven’t flown a day in their life, they get gassed/poisoned as soon as they develop the ability to fly, because otherwise the wings might damage. Damaged butterflies have flown. Perfect ones haven’t.
How do you keep those tried flowers (via hanging, not pressed) from crumble into pieces over time? My wedding bouquet was tried and left untouched for over 15 years. But when I went to move it,one day, petals/leaves started to fall bits by bits. I was devastated and wanted it to last longer. Any suggestions?
If I wanna use the flowers inside frames, they must be pressed and dry or is it the same? The proccess is the same? I’ve seen some people microwave the flowers and then pressing inside books, for example. Which is the best way for best color and preservation? PLEAAAAASE someone help me!! I’m from Brazil and people don’t usually do this here lol I’m planning on selling little art pieces! I would really appreciate ❤❤❤
I answered and said, “If I have found favor in thy sight, O Lord, show this also to thy servant: whether after death, as soon as every one of us yields up his soul, we shall be kept in rest until those times come when thou wilt renew the creation, or whether we shall be tormented at once?” 76 He answered me and said, “I will show you that also, but do not be associated with those who have shown scorn, nor number yourself among those who are tormented. 77 For you have a treasure of works laid up with the Most High; but it will not be shown to you until the last times. 78 Now, concerning death, the teaching is: When the decisive decree has gone forth from the Most High that a man shall die, as the spirit leaves the body to return again to him who gave it, first of all it adores the glory of the Most High. 79 And if it is one of those who have shown scorn and have not kept the way of the Most High, and who have despised his law, and who have hated those who fear the Most High — 80 such spirits shall not enter into habitations, but shall immediately wander about in torments, ever grieving and sad, in seven ways. 81 The first way, because they have scorned the law of the Most High. 82 The second way, because they cannot now make a good repentance that they may live. 83 The third way, they shall see the reward laid up for those who have trusted the covenants of the Most High. 84 The fourth way, they shall consider the torment laid up for themselves in the last days. 85 The fifth way, they shall see how the habitations of the others are guarded by angels in profound quiet.
I think that’s awesome that you were able to do that however I am not married I have lupus I need health insurance and I would like to have a 401k that is funded also by my employer so unfortunately I can’t work for myself. But if I could and I was healthier I would like to be a farmer. I would like to grow microgreens and other vegetables during the summer and then go live in the south and work on people’s farms and learn