How to dry hydrangeas: instructions on how to conserve hydrangea flowers

Hydrangeas are very popular garden or container plants that delight us with their bright colors. A pleasure that one would like to keep for a long time. And that is actually possible with few resources. It just takes a little patience and planning to make your panicle hydrangeas durable. Unfortunately, you will lose some of the color in the process; depending on the method chosen, the color loss will be greater or less. Nevertheless, they are still an eye-catcher in the living room or in combination with fresh flowers.

Conservation method

There are various options available to you for the consumption of hydrangeas. However, with some processes a loss of color is to be expected. Therefore cut the panicle hydrangea on a rain-free day, usually when the flowers have developed their full color. The drying processes presented here are:

• in the vase
• with hygroscopic material
• in the oven
• in the air

Which method is best for your hydrangeas is something you need to try. Because the different types react differently to the drying process. The time of the cut also plays a role. Depending on the variety, some hydrangeas can be preserved in full bloom and some varieties only at a later flowering time.

Tip: If a method works, stick to it.

Dry in the vase

Preserving hydrangea flowers in the vase is easy but requires a little patience. You must also expect a loss of color. You can counteract this by placing the hydrangea flowers in a vase with water and glycerine after they have been cut. Because the glycerine prevents the flowers from losing their colors. This way it can keep its color for up to three years. Mix water and glycerin in a ratio of 2: 1.

Tip: Glycerin can be bought at the pharmacy.

The water-glycerine mixture is absorbed by the flower stalks over the next few days. If it is completely absorbed or evaporated, it is no longer refilled. No water may be added during the process either.

Tip: If the glycerine is not used, the color of the hydrangea flowers will be lost. Then they still look pretty, but then they are brown in color.

Since the hydrangea flower stalk is retained with this method, the dried specimens can be placed between fresh flowers if you have previously protected the flower stalk with wax or varnish against the water in the vase with fresh flowers to have. The glycerine also keeps the flower soft, which simplifies further processing of the hydrangea, for example for flower arrangements.

Drying with hygroscopic material

Hygroscopic material refers to substances that attract water. With this method, there are various substances that can be used for preservation, which you will also find in your household. These include, for example:

• cat litter
• washing powder
• salt
• Silica gel
• Dry salt

Tip: You can get silica gel in the craft store.

One advantage of this method is that the flower color should be preserved. In addition, this process can be used to dry not only whole flowers, but also individual petals. Follow the instructions below:

• Select vessel
• Flower plus washing powder must fit inside
• Lay a layer of appropriate material on the bottom of the vessel
• Place the flower on top
• Cover the flower completely with the material from the bottom layer
• Close the vessel airtight
• After a few days, two weeks at the most, the flower will be dry. Carefully remove them from the jar so that no petals break off.

Tip: If you use cat litter, make sure that it is very fine and does not clump.

Dry in the oven

Conserving hydrangea flowers in the oven is recommended when things have to be done quickly. To do this, set the oven to a temperature of 80 degrees Celsius. Do not lock the door completely, but block the door with a wooden spoon. After half an hour to an hour, the hydrangea flowers should be dry.

You can also use this method in a slower process. To do this, the oven is set to 35 degrees Celsius. The hydrangea flowers are literally dried overnight.

Tip: However, this quick process can lead to a loss of flower color.

Air drying

Another type of preservation is air drying. While some oppose this practice, others support it. To do this, proceed as follows:

Cut off the hydrangea flowers with the stem

• Clamp the flower head down on a hanger or clothesline
• Hang clothes hangers freely in a dark, airy room

Tip: Air drying is suitable for panicle hydrangeas that have already faded slightly.

Don't forget to remove all leaves before hanging the flower.

With this method, it is difficult to find the right room. Because there should really be no daylight influencing the drying process. It is best to consider whether there is a room in the apartment before using this method Requirements, because there should not be light or laundry in them all the time to be dried. The boiler room, for example, is ideal.

Tip: Whether the panicle hydrangea loses its color with this method or not is assessed differently by experts.

Fix hydrangeas

Since the hydrangea flowers are easy to rub with your fingers after the drying process, they must be handled and fixed carefully. The conservation of the flowers is only complete once they have been fixed. To do this, spray the dried flower with canned hairspray or with a fixator from the flower shop. After fixing, you can place the dried hydrangeas in the apartment or in a flower arrangement. Make sure that the dried flower does not get direct sunlight. That will make the color fade further.

Tip: Only dried hydrangea flowers should be sprayed with hairspray. If the flower has not yet dried up, the moisture it contains cannot escape and the flower does not dry out, but rot from the inside.