TheNaturePlanet

Dried flowers are really popular nowadays. They look great and create a wonderful atmosphere when placed in the house. If you want to make dried flowers yourself, there are usually two common methods: using desiccants and direct sun-drying. Which one is better? Let's talk about it in detail today.

The principles of drying are different.

The desiccant method

The desiccant method involves using highly absorbent substances such as silica gel particles or borax to quickly draw out the water from fresh flowers. In this way, it can well preserve the original color and appearance of the flowers. The cellular structure of the petals is not easily damaged, and there are significantly fewer cases of deformation and color fading.

The sun-drying method

The sun-drying method is a bit more straightforward and crude. It relies on sunlight and air circulation to gradually let the water in the flowers evaporate. However, natural conditions are difficult to control. The water evaporates slowly, and the flowers are exposed to the outside for a long time, experiencing alternating hot and cold temperatures and being constantly exposed to ultraviolet rays. As a result, problems with color and shape are likely to occur.

The operation processes are different.

The desiccant method

First, you need to prepare the desiccant and a sealable box. Gently place the flowers into the box and arrange them neatly without crushing them. Then, slowly pour in the desiccant, filling all the gaps between the flowers and completely covering them. After that, seal the box and place it in a dry and cool place. Generally, the drying time is only a few days to a week. But it should be noted that the desiccant may be corrosive, so never let it come into contact with your skin and eyes. Also, make sure the box is well-sealed to prevent moisture from getting in.

The sun-drying method

Choose a sunny day, tidy up the flowers, and remove any excess leaves and withered flowers. Use a rope or thin wire to tie the flower stems together and hang them upside down in a well-ventilated place that is not exposed to the sun. Check on them frequently during the drying process. Don't let them get too dry, or the petals will easily become brittle. Sun-drying usually takes one or two weeks, or even longer. Also, be careful to prevent the flowers from being exposed to wind and rain, otherwise they will deform or get moldy.

The effects of the finished products are different.

In terms of color

The dried flowers made with desiccants are extremely vibrant in color and are almost identical to the original flowers because the drying process is fast, and the pigments are not significantly decomposed or oxidized. For sun-dried flowers, it's a different story. Due to long-term exposure to sunlight, the color easily fades, and the saturation is much lower.

In terms of shape

The desiccant method can well preserve the original shape of the flowers, and the petals are relatively upright, giving a very layered appearance. For sun-dried flowers, because the moisture dries unevenly, the petals are likely to curl up and become wrinkled, and the shape is not as nice.

The applicable scenarios are different.

The desiccant method

If you pursue high quality and have high requirements for the appearance of dried flowers, such as placing them in a high-end home or participating in an artistic flower arrangement exhibition, the dried flowers made by the desiccant method are very suitable. If you have precious flowers and want to preserve them well, you can also use this method.

The sun-drying method

Sun-dried dried flowers have a natural and rustic feel, which is very suitable for a pastoral or retro-style decoration. Moreover, it has a low cost and is easy to operate. If you want to make a large number of dried flowers, such as for large-scale decorations in a hotel lobby, the sun-drying method is quite cost-effective.

Both the desiccant method and the sun-drying method have their own advantages and disadvantages. If you pursue the ultimate effect and don't care about the trouble and cost, then choose the desiccant method. If you like the natural style and want to save money, the sun-drying method is sufficient. You can decide which method to use according to your own preferences, the type of flowers, and the intended use.