Preserving flowers with wax

Flowers can be preserved in so many different ways. We often think of pressing, hanging, and even freeze drying. However, there is another interesting way of preserving those beautiful fresh blooms and that is by using wax.

All you will need is fresh flowers (roses work really well), a microwave-safe container and soy wax flakes. Cover your surface with some scrap paper to protect your table. Fill your microwave-safe container with the wax flakes and microwave for two minutes. Stir the wax using a disposable plastic spoon. If any of the wax is still unmelted, microwave for another minute before removing and stirring again. Once the wax is melted, it’s time to dip your flowers. Place the dipped flowers in an old vase or bottle until the wax sets. They dry best when upright.

Once your roses have been successfully waxed, it’s time to put them to good use. There are so many ways of doing this. You can set them together in a vase, for example, or you could add them to a rectangular pot along with potted succulents or cacti.

Remember, waxed flowers will retain their beauty and colour for a prolonged period of time. However, they will not look perfect forever. They tend to hold their shape for longer than they do their colour. As the colours fade, your flowers will take on more of a rustic appearance which can certainly work to your advantage.

Waxing your flowers is great for prolonging their life but it’s important to do so at the right time. If you do so too soon, the buds will not yet be open. If you wait too long, the flower will become too fragile and it could start wilting or even losing its petals. If you are not sure about the best colours to choose, try selecting a few different colours. Allow the flowers to dry and see how their colours change. This will give you a good idea of what colour you can expect your waxed flowers will become.