You might have just gotten married and have a beautiful bouquet of roses you would like to have preserved. Or you might have flowers from a funeral you would like preserved to remember a loved one. Regardless of your reasons, preserving roses can be a wonderful way of preserving a memory. You might be wondering how to preserve your roses.
In this article, we are going to go over many methods you can use to preserve your roses. So, without further ado let us begin.
What Are The Best Ways To Preserve Roses?
Roses can be preserved in many ways from simple home methods to more complex professional techniques.
The preservation of your roses will depend on numerous factors such as the size of the plant, intended use (e.g., cut flowers), availability of storage space, climate, and personal preference.
There are many methods you can use to preserve roses and in this article, we are going to look over a few of them.
Let’s start with air drying.
Air Drying
Air drying roses is one of the most common methods of preserving roses. It works well for many types of roses, but it can be a bit tricky and time-consuming.
Air drying requires no special equipment or storage space. You just need an open area away from direct sunlight.
For more information about this technique please see air drying roses. You can air-dry your roses at home yourself, or you can have them dried professionally.
But what are the pros and cons of using this method?
Pros
- Easy – This is one of the easiest methods of preserving roses. It is ideal for beginners and experienced people as it is a process that produces great results while also being super easy.
- The Stems are Preserved – Preserving the stems is always good. This is good because it makes using the flowers in your scrapbooks or displaying them much easier.
- Simple Materials – You do not need a lot to do this method of rose preservation and who does not like a project with uncomplicated materials.
Cons
- Mold – Because this is a time-based process, and you technically leave your flowers out, there is always the risk of mold forming on your roses and ruining the project.
- Takes Time – This process can take between two and four weeks to complete. So, if you do not have patience this may not be the ideal method for you.
- Petals May Fall Off – This process means that the petals may fall off, which defeats the purpose of preserving your roses. So you will have to be extra careful during the process and caring for the pressed roses.
- Dust – Dust is likely to gather on your pressed roses once you have displayed them and cleaning can be tough because they are so delicate.
Now, let us look at how you press roses, below you will see a basic step-by-step guide on how you can do this:
- Step 1 – The best time to start air drying your roses is when the rosebuds are just starting to open. This is because as the roses dry out they can open gradually while they dry out.
- Step 2 – Remove the leaves from your roses. This part contains the most water and if you leave them on you can stop your roses from drying as they should.
- Step 3 – Next, get a piece of string and tie it around the stalks of your roses. Take care not to bend the buds or the stems. If you do not have a string you can loop a rubber band around the base for the same effect.
- Step 4 – In a dry and dark room that is well ventilated, hand your roses. Leave them there for two to four weeks until they are properly dried out.
- Step 5 – After four weeks your roses should be dry, when you are handling them take care as they can fall apart quite easily if you are not careful. Display them as you please and enjoy them.
RELATED: Make The Most Of Your Roses: How To Make Your Flowers Last
Hair Spray
This is one of the less known methods of rose preservation. It does not make them last forever but by using hair spray you can help your roses to keep their color and shape for longer without falling apart.
Let’s look at the pros and cons of this method.
Pros
- Prolonged Life – Hairspray will help your roses look beautiful for longer.
- Easy – This is an extremely simple method of rose preservation and one that anyone can easily do.
Cons
- Can Go overboard – You can put too much hair spray on your roses which can reduce their lifespan instead of prolonging them.
- Frequent Application Required – To keep your roses alive for longer you will need to apply hair spray to them fairly frequently.
Now, let us look at how you press roses, below you will see a basic step-by-step guide on how you can do this:
- Step 1 – When your roses are in a vase, get your hair spray and hold it about one inch away from your rose bouquet. Spray your roses evenly with the hair spray.
- Step 2 – Next you will need to take the roses out of the vase and hang them upside down until they have dried.
- Step 3 – Once they have dried properly you can put the flowers back in the vase with water and arrange them as you see fit.
- Step 4 – Every few days you should repeat this process to make your flowers last significantly longer.
Microwave
This is a good method if you do not have the time or patience to wait around until your roses dry.
The radiation and heat the microwave creates will cause your roses to heat up and this process then allows the moisture to evaporate
The only issue with this method is the fact that it does not always work. The results can differ from rose to rose.
Pros
- Cheap – This method of preserving roses is super simple and costs next to nothing.
- Control – Because the process is so quick and easy, you can watch the whole process from beginning to end and control the results more easily.
- Easy – It is a very simple method that does not take much skill and usually delivers results.
- Fast – This is a very quick method for preserving your roses. So if you are in a rush this is a great method to use.
Cons
- Trial and Error – This process will take some trial and error to get just right. This may result in the loss of flowers from your special bouquet of flowers which defeats the purpose of preserving them.
- Too Quick – Microwaving your roses can result in your flowers drying out too quickly which once again can mean that they deteriorate too much.
- Less Reliable – This process does not always work and will almost certainly result in casualties.
Now, let us look at how you press roses, below you will see a basic step-by-step guide on how you can do this:
- Step 1 – The first thing you will need to do is remove as much of the stem as you can before you put the roses in the microwave.
- Step 2 – You will need to have two dishes that are microwave-safe and several coffee filters. before you put the flowers between two coffee filters and then put them on the plate or dish.
- Step 3 – Microwave the roses for about one minute before you check on them. Check how dry the rose is before you proceed to the next step.
- Step 4 – Every so often, replace the coffee filters and microwave for a minute again. Repeat these steps until your rose is as dry as you want it to be.
Pressing
Pressing flowers is a rather traditional method of preserving flowers. It works by pressing the moisture out of the petals of your flower.
At the end of the process, you should have beautiful dry and pressed flowers you can display as you see fit.
But, what are the pros and cons associated with this method?
Pros
- Sometimes Keeps Color – If you preserve your roses using this method you have a fairly high chance of the color being preserved.
- You Can Decide How the Petals are Arranged – Before you press the flowers you can range the petals in whatever manner you prefer.
- Easy – It is a very easy method of preserving roses and is ideal for beginners and professionals alike.
- Cheap – It is a very inexpensive method you can easily do without any specialist equipment.
Cons
- Takes Time – The process of pressing flowers can take quite a while. On average, it takes about one month until the flowers are completely dry.
- Easy to Damage Flowers – If you are not careful, you can easily damage your pressed flowers. So, extra care will need to be taken when you handle them.
- Stems Cannot be Pressed – Before you start you will need to remove the stems of the roses. This may not be ideal for everyone.
Now, let us look at how you press roses, below you will see a basic step-by-step guide on how you can do this:
- Step 1 – The first thing you will need to do is remove the stems from your roses.
- Step 2 – All you need not is a heavy book, and some liner paper so that the text from the book does not transfer to the flower or so that the book does not get damaged by the flower.
- Step 3 – Place your rose petals on the liner paper and take care that they are not overlapping before you close the book.
- Step 4 – Now all you have to do is check the rose petals every few days for about a month.
Resin
This type of preservation of roses is unique in the way that it produces a unique item that you can use in whatever way you please.
A coaster, jewelry, ornament, or a paperweight. Your special rose will be sealed in resin which means that the beautiful colors will never fade.
The only issue is that you will be unable to touch the flower once the resin has cured.
But, what are the pros and cons of going with resin to preserve your roses?
Pros
- Quick Process – You can have this whole process done quite quickly if you know how to do it.
- Versatility – You can make any item you want out of your special roses. So your preserved rose can be whatever suits you most.
Cons
- Skill – If you want to use resin to preserve your roses you will need to make sure that you have some skill and knowledge on the process.
- Irreversible – Once the resin has cured and dried your rose will be immortalized like that, and you will not be able to change your mind.
- Can be Limiting – Using resin can mean that you will only be able to display your roses one way.
Now, let us look at how you press roses, below you will see a basic step-by-step guide on how you can do this:
- Step 1 – Once you have everything you need you will need to fill your mold halfway before you put your rose in the mold and arrange it as you see fit.
- Step 2 – Next, you must pour the rest of the resin into the mold until it is full, and your rose is covered.
- Step 3 – Now all that is left for you to do is let the resin dry and get your rose design out of the mold, and you will be ready to display it.
Freeze-Drying
Freeze-drying roses is a great way to preserve the scent and smell of these flowers. It works by freezing the moisture out of the petals and stems of your roses.
By using this technique you can be sure that your sentimental wedding bouquets will last your whole life. The downside is that this can be quite a pricey endeavor.
But, let us explore more of the pros and cons associated with this method of preserving roses:
Pros
- Fast – This method is very quick and does not require waiting like methods such as air drying might.
- You Don’t Have to do it Yourself – This method is usually done by a professional which means you do not have to bother about preserving your roses yourself. Not worrying about ruining your special bouquet is a pro in itself.
- Preserves Scent and Color – This method of preservation means that your roses will keep their scent and color.
Cons
- Expensive – This is a relatively expensive method of preserving your roses which means that this is not a method for anyone with budget constraints.
- Specialist Equipment – To have your roses freeze-dried you will need special equipment or a professional with this equipment to get your roses freeze-dried.
- Fragile – Because the moisture has been frozen out of these flowers they can be extremely fragile.
Now, let us look at how you press roses, below you will see a basic step-by-step guide on how you can do this:
- Step 1 – First, you require the right equipment or the number of a professional with this equipment.
- Step 2 – All the petals of your roses will need to be separated before the machine is turned on.
- Step 3 – The roses are then brought to temperatures that are below freezing. This process evaporates all the moisture from the roses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now that you know how to do some of these rose preservation methods you probably have a few questions that you need to be answered.
In this section, we will do our best to answer some of your most frequently asked questions.
Do Preserved Roses Feel Real?
Yes, a preserved rose was a rose that was cut when it was at its peak and preserved using one of the many methods out there.
Depending on which one you use your roses have sot and supple petals which are reminiscent of the once beautiful and fresh flower it once was.
Do Preserved Roses Smell?
When a rose is being preserved it can lose its natural smell but when you add a natural scent back to the dried roses you can bring back its beautiful scent.
Are Preserved Roses Toxic?
The short answer to this question is no. The preservatives used to preserve roses are not generally toxic and roses themselves are non-toxic. Because of all this, roses are not toxic when they are preserved.
Final Thoughts
That is all for this article. There are several other rose preservation methods we have not mentioned here like using glycerin, silica gel, or even sand.
The best thing you can do is to pick a method that suits your skill level and experience. Otherwise, you may end up with your special bouquet being lost while you are still learning.
But, rose preservation is extremely fun and something everyone should try out at least once in their life.
Have fun preserving your roses and have a fantastic day.
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I hope you will find The Natural List useful, and that it will help educate you on the wide variety of different flower and plant species there are across the globe.
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