Dry flowers are the ultimate way to decorate. This is because dried flowers easily retain their colours during the drying process but also for months afterwards. But how does this process work? We explain it all to you in our blog.
A still-popular trend that has grown in recent years is decorating with dried flowers. After all, dried flowers offer a sustainable and low-maintenance solution as an alternative to the traditional fresh flower. But how come the dried flower retains its colours so much better compared to the fresh flower, even after drying? In this blog, we are going to explain this question.
What are dried flowers again?
Dry flowers are a wonderful alternative to fresh flower, which have been given a drying process to preserve their colour, shape and texture. As a result, dried flowers can last for at least 6 months to perhaps years. It is also an environmentally-friendly alternative to fresh cut flowers.
Maintaining shape during the drying process
The drying process always starts with selecting flowers when they are at their most beautiful. The flowers are then cut and often air-dried upside down in a dark, dry and well-ventilated room. This process can take several weeks but promotes shape and texture.
Drying allows dried flowers to retain their colour
Now we come to the most important question. How do dried flowers retain their colour? There are many different methods used for this. The two most common are air drying and drying with the help of drying agents.
Air-drying
Air drying is an easy and effective method to preserve the colours of the flowers. The flowers are hung upside down in small bunches in a dry and dark place. As these flowers receive no light, the colours remain optimal. In addition, the air flow prevents mould.
Drying by means
Another common method is to use silica gel. It is a method that costs more money on average and is more difficult but can deliver better results on colour retention. So how does this process work? Flowers are placed in a container with scica gel. This gel extracts moisture from the flowers and promotes colour retention. However, there is a big risk involved in this method of drying. The process is delicate and the dried flowers may dry too quickly or too slowly, leading to loss of colour or even damage to the flowers.
How do I make sure my dried flowers keep their colour?
Now that the dried flowers have come out of the drying process well and were able to retain their colour, it is important to let the colour stay as long as possible. How do you do this? Avoid direct sunlight, as this will rapidly fade the colours of your dried flowers. In addition, make sure you never place your dried flowers in a damp room, taking this into account will also prevent mould.
Conclusion
Flowerys.eu sees dried flowers as a maintenance-free and also incredibly sustainable decoration. In addition, dried flowers are also the best at retaining their colours. Although there are different methods to achieve this, it always comes back to removing the moisture responsibly.