Rose preservation methods and tips

Of all the fresh blooms you will find at your local florist, roses are undoubtedly one of the most popular. They are available in a wide variety of colours and they have the most amazing scent. This is why rose oil is often used in bath, body and beauty products. If you receive a rose bouquet and you want to keep it for longer than just a couple of weeks, here are some rose preservation methods for you to try. Remember, it is also important to choose the right colour flowers when drying or preserving them. White blooms, for example, can turn off-white or yellow when dry while red flowers take on a darker tone.

Air drying

This is one of the easiest and most popular rose preservation methods. Not only does it require no investment, but it’s also the easiest method of all. You simply need to select your roses, make sure they are not damaged. Remove any damaged petals and hang them upside down. By hanging them upside down, you will allow them to keep their shape as they dry. This can take up to four weeks, depending on the humidity in the air and other conditions. Drying flowers should not be subjected to wind or direct sunlight. Make sure that you separate your stems or hang small bunches. Otherwise, they can become mouldy.

Freeze drying

This method is excellent if you really want to preserve the integrity and beauty of each bloom. Rose preservation using this method will, however, require a significant financial investment. If you are planning on drying roses for your own use, this might not be the best option. On the other hand, if you want to dry flowers for resale, it’s worth investing in the right equipment. Not only are the results faster, but they are far more attractive.

Pressing

You can make your own flower press using a few basic supplies. Not all flowers can be pressed in their whole state and roses are a fine example of this. In order to press roses, you will need to remove the petals from the stem and press them individually. If you try to press the entire flower, it will not press completely and the flower will disintegrate once pressing is complete. The best way to press roses using this method is to remove the petals, place them in your press and allow them to process for about one month. You can check on them after about three weeks and, if they are not completely dried out, allow them to remain in the press for another week or two before checking again. You can then arrange the petals in such a way that they once more resemble a rose. You will need to get creative in terms of replacing the stem or you can allow your stems to dry out and ‘re-attach’ them to the loose petals.

These are just a few simple rose preservation options. The one you choose will depend on your budget as well as how you plan on using your dried flowers. Air drying means that you can create dried flower bouquets. Pressing flowers means that they will need to be glued to a study background in order to be displayed. Freezing flowers requires a substantial financial investment which is why it is not necessarily for everyone.