Perfect for bouquets and interior decor: How to make dried flowers

The beauty of fresh flowers or living grass does not last long and tends to wither after a certain period. Once they wither, they lose their original color and attract pests, eventually forcing them to be discarded. To compensate for the disadvantage of fresh flowers, which must be enjoyed for a short period before being thrown away, dried flowers were devised by drying flowers or grass so they can be preserved for a long time. In a broader sense, it also refers to the state of drying seeds, fruits, and stems together. While you can experience colors and beauty close to the original state of fresh flowers and enjoy them longer, they must be managed by avoiding humidity and direct sunlight and monitoring their condition. Dried flowers are used for letters, framed art, invitations, wedding invitations, or garlands, making them perfect for interior decoration. Alternatively, making dried carnations to gift to parents can convey a message of respect that does not wither even as years pass.

How to make dried flowers

There are various ways to make dried flowers. There is the natural drying method, where flowers are dried in their original state to create bouquets or framed art. One method is to bundle the flowers you wish to dry and store them in a well-ventilated area away from intense sunlight. If you want to create a vintage-style dried flower bouquet, you can expose them to direct sunlight, but be mindful that the colors may fade. When drying flowers, there is a method of hanging them upside down from a string. Dried flowers usually take about 2 to 3 weeks to dry, but it may take longer depending on the moisture content of the plant and the surrounding environment. Alternatively, a desiccant can be applied to create dried flowers that maintain even more beautiful colors.

Precautions when handling dried flowers

When making dried flowers, be careful as mold can grow if they are dried in a place without good ventilation. Also, if you dry them standing upright, the flower stems may bend, break, or fall off, so it is better to dry them while hanging them upside down. Even beautiful dried flowers can be detrimental to interior design and creating a beautiful environment if mismanaged. If insects are found in dried flowers, it is important to properly manage any nearby grains or food scraps to prevent them from breeding. A good way to store dried flowers without attracting insects is to place only the flower heads inside a glass jar.

[Fam Times = Reporter Lee Tae-sol]