How to Dry Rose Petals
Choose fresh roses in full bloom., Wait for the perfect time of day to pick your roses., Free the petals from the stems by using scissors to snip around the base of the rose petals., Place the petals on a drying sheet., Place the petals where they...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Choose fresh roses in full bloom.
You can harvest flowers that you want to dry at any time during the growing season, but keep in mind that when they are at their biggest and brightest, they will also smell their best.
Avoid picking roses that have browning petals--they will become fully brown when they dry. -
Step 2: Wait for the perfect time of day to pick your roses.
This period of time is after the dew has dried, but before the midday sun has reached its strongest rays.
Rose petals with any sort of moisture on them could potentially turn brown when dried because they will begin to rot.
The hours before the midday sun are when most roses produce their strongest fragrance., Be sure to cut around the entire flower.
You can also pluck the petals by gently pulling each one from the base of the stems. , A mesh screen such as an old window or a flat metal strainer from your kitchen will work well.
Make sure that the petals are in a single layer and that none of them are overlapping.
If they overlap while they are drying, they will stick together and you will have to break them apart later., The best place to put your petals is on flat surface out of direct sunlight that has good air circulation.
Placing petals directly in the sun will cause them to fade so avoid doing this.
Avoid putting the petals in a damp area, as moisture in the air could cause them to rot. , Air drying petals generally takes a couple of days.
During that time, you should turn your petals over at least once a day.
Rotating your petals will ensure that both sides of each petal will get enough air exposure., Only remove the petals after they have become crispy (almost the texture of corn flakes.) If they are not fully dry when you store them, they will begin to get moldy. , Once you have done this, place the petals you would like to dry on the paper towels.
Make sure that they are in a single layer without any overlapping petals.
The petals will dry together if they are overlapping and will rip if you try to pull them apart., Once you have laid the petals in a single layer, cover them with another layer of paper towels.
Place another plate on top of all of this so that it acts as a lid for the bottom plate. , Heat on high until the petals are no longer damp to the touch, approximately 40 seconds.
Microwave ovens tend to vary, so you may have to experiment to find the correct length of time for drying the rose petals., After the allotted amount of microwaving time, lift the top plate and layer of paper towels.
The petals should feel dry but not crispy.
If the petals still feel damp, place them back in the microwave and continue to ‘cook’ them. , If you wish to make them crispier, spread the petals onto paper towels arranged on a flat surface.
Choose a drying location away from breezes, moisture, light and dust. , Make sure they are not overlapping.
Depending on the type of dehydrator you use, the drying process could take a couple of hours (like if you use an Excalibur,) or a whole day (if you use a Nesco 600-watt machine.) However long it takes, you house will be filled with the wonderful fragrance of the roses., It is important to set it low because otherwise your roses could burn. , As stated above, this can take a couple of hours or a whole day.
When they are done, they should have a texture similar to corn flakes or very thin potato chips. ,, , ,, The dried petals can be stored that way for extended periods.
Make sure the storage containers seal tightly to prevent insects from entering and eating the petals.
Do not store them in direct sunlight. , The options are endless.
Use them in your wedding, create a sensual experience, or add them to potpourri or try one of the following. , Enhance a rose cocktail, create a festive rose petal punch, or indulge in some refreshing rosewater. , Create a necklace out of rose petal beads, or make your own unique scent with rose petal perfume. , Try rose petal sandwiches.
Get rustic by making your own rose petal jam, or make frosted rose petals to add to a cake. -
Step 3: Free the petals from the stems by using scissors to snip around the base of the rose petals.
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Step 4: Place the petals on a drying sheet.
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Step 5: Place the petals where they will get a lot of air.
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Step 6: Turn your petals over several times.
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Step 7: Remove them from the drying sheet.
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Step 8: Line a microwave safe plate with a double layer of paper towels.
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Step 9: Cover the petals.
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Step 10: Place this stack of plates in the microwave.
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Step 11: Test the petals for dryness.
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Step 12: Remove the petals from the microwave.
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Step 13: Place the rose petals in your dehydrator.
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Step 14: Set your dehydrator to the lowest possible setting.
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Step 15: Leave the rose petals until they are dry.
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Step 16: Open the book.
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Step 17: Put the petals inside it (make sure they are in a single layer.)
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Step 18: Close the book (try not to fold the petals.)
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Step 19: Wait about a week or two
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Step 20: and your petals should be dry.
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Step 21: Store dried rose petals in coffee cans
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Step 22: or glass jars.
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Step 23: Decide how you want to use your rose petals.
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Step 24: Add rose petals to your favorite drink.
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Step 25: Get artsy and add rose petals to your crafts.
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Step 26: Add some petals to your food.
Detailed Guide
You can harvest flowers that you want to dry at any time during the growing season, but keep in mind that when they are at their biggest and brightest, they will also smell their best.
Avoid picking roses that have browning petals--they will become fully brown when they dry.
This period of time is after the dew has dried, but before the midday sun has reached its strongest rays.
Rose petals with any sort of moisture on them could potentially turn brown when dried because they will begin to rot.
The hours before the midday sun are when most roses produce their strongest fragrance., Be sure to cut around the entire flower.
You can also pluck the petals by gently pulling each one from the base of the stems. , A mesh screen such as an old window or a flat metal strainer from your kitchen will work well.
Make sure that the petals are in a single layer and that none of them are overlapping.
If they overlap while they are drying, they will stick together and you will have to break them apart later., The best place to put your petals is on flat surface out of direct sunlight that has good air circulation.
Placing petals directly in the sun will cause them to fade so avoid doing this.
Avoid putting the petals in a damp area, as moisture in the air could cause them to rot. , Air drying petals generally takes a couple of days.
During that time, you should turn your petals over at least once a day.
Rotating your petals will ensure that both sides of each petal will get enough air exposure., Only remove the petals after they have become crispy (almost the texture of corn flakes.) If they are not fully dry when you store them, they will begin to get moldy. , Once you have done this, place the petals you would like to dry on the paper towels.
Make sure that they are in a single layer without any overlapping petals.
The petals will dry together if they are overlapping and will rip if you try to pull them apart., Once you have laid the petals in a single layer, cover them with another layer of paper towels.
Place another plate on top of all of this so that it acts as a lid for the bottom plate. , Heat on high until the petals are no longer damp to the touch, approximately 40 seconds.
Microwave ovens tend to vary, so you may have to experiment to find the correct length of time for drying the rose petals., After the allotted amount of microwaving time, lift the top plate and layer of paper towels.
The petals should feel dry but not crispy.
If the petals still feel damp, place them back in the microwave and continue to ‘cook’ them. , If you wish to make them crispier, spread the petals onto paper towels arranged on a flat surface.
Choose a drying location away from breezes, moisture, light and dust. , Make sure they are not overlapping.
Depending on the type of dehydrator you use, the drying process could take a couple of hours (like if you use an Excalibur,) or a whole day (if you use a Nesco 600-watt machine.) However long it takes, you house will be filled with the wonderful fragrance of the roses., It is important to set it low because otherwise your roses could burn. , As stated above, this can take a couple of hours or a whole day.
When they are done, they should have a texture similar to corn flakes or very thin potato chips. ,, , ,, The dried petals can be stored that way for extended periods.
Make sure the storage containers seal tightly to prevent insects from entering and eating the petals.
Do not store them in direct sunlight. , The options are endless.
Use them in your wedding, create a sensual experience, or add them to potpourri or try one of the following. , Enhance a rose cocktail, create a festive rose petal punch, or indulge in some refreshing rosewater. , Create a necklace out of rose petal beads, or make your own unique scent with rose petal perfume. , Try rose petal sandwiches.
Get rustic by making your own rose petal jam, or make frosted rose petals to add to a cake.
About the Author
Beverly Jenkins
Writer and educator with a focus on practical DIY projects knowledge.
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