Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 4: Select the leaves
• Part 2 of 4: Drying rose petals
• Method 1: Let roses air dry
• Method 2: In the microwave
• Method three: In the drying oven
• Part 3 of 4: In a book
• Part 4 of 4: Storing and using dried rose petals
• Tips
• Necessities

Poets have dreamed of the fleeting beauty of roses for centuries. However, roses also have a practical side. Dried rose petals in particular have many fine applications. They produce an intoxicating perfume that you can keep like potpourri in silk bags, they brighten up a room and provide romantic confetti at weddings. And it is not difficult to dry roses.

To step

Part 1 of 4: Select the leaves

1. Choose fresh roses in full bloom. You can pick the flowers you want to dry at any time during the blooming season, but make sure they are big and beautiful and they will smell the best. Do not use roses whose petals are starting to turn brown, as they will turn completely brown as they dry.
2. Wait for the right time of day to pick the roses. It is best to pick them after the dew has dried, but before the sun reaches its highest point around noon. Rose petals with moisture on them can turn brown during drying because they start to rot. Roses smell strongest during the hours before the sun is at its highest.
3. Cut the rose petals with scissors where they attach to the stem. Work around. You can also pick the leaves by carefully removing them one by one by hand by the stem.

Part 2 of 4: Drying rose petals

Method 1: Let roses air dry

1. Place the rose petals on a drying plate. You can use a small old window or grate for this. Make sure the leaves do not touch each other. If they touch each other while drying, they will stick together and you will have to break them off later.
2. Place the leaves in a place with plenty of fresh air. The best place is out of the sun and with good air circulation. Avoid the sun as they will discolour. Do not place the leaves in a damp place, because moisture causes mold.
3. Turn the leaves over a few times. Rose petals usually take a few days to dry in this way. During that time you should turn the leaves at least once a day. This will leave both sides of the leaves sufficiently exposed to the air.
4. Remove the leaves from the drying plate. Only remove them when they are crispy (almost like cornflakes.) If they are not completely dry when you store them, they will mold.

Method 2: In the microwave

1. Place two sheets of kitchen roll on a microwave-safe plate. Then you put the rose petals that you want to dry on the paper. Make sure the leaves don't touch or they'll stick together and break off when you try to separate them.
2. Cover the rose petals. Cover the leaves after placing them side by side. Place another plate over it so that it can serve as a lid for the bottom plate.
3. Place this stack of plates in the microwave. Microwave on high for about 40 seconds until the leaves are no longer moist to the touch. Some microwaves are different, so you may need to experiment with the correct amount of time to dry the rose petals first.
4. Check to see if the rose petals are dry. After the prescribed time, remove the top plate and top paper towels. The leaves should feel dry, but not crisp. Put the leaves back in the microwave while they still feel moist and let them "cook further."
5. Remove the rose petals from the microwave. If you want them even more crunchy, you can place them on a paper towel on a flat surface. Choose a place out of the wind, without moisture, light and dust.

Method three: In the drying oven

1. Place the rose petals in the drying oven. Make sure they don't touch. Depending on the type of oven you are using, the drying process can take a few hours (for example with an Excalibur), or a whole day (with a 600-watt Nesco). Regardless of the duration, the oven will spread a lovely rose scent in your home.
2. Set the drying oven to the lowest setting. It is important to dry at a low temperature, otherwise the leaves can burn.
3. Leave the leaves in the oven until they are completely dry. As stated earlier, this can take a few hours or a whole day. When they are done, they feel like cornflakes or very fine potato chips.

Part 3 of 4: In a book

1. Open the book.
2. Place the rose petals in it (make sure they don't touch).
3. Close the book (try not to fold the leaves).
4. The leaves should be dry within one to two weeks.

Part 4 of 4: Storing and using dried rose petals

1. Store dried rose petals in tins or glass jars. The dried leaves can be stored in this way for a long time. Make sure that the can or jar is tightly closed, so that no insects can reach and eat the leaves. Do not put them in full sun.
2. Think about what you want to do with the rose petals. The possibilities are endless. You can use them for a wedding, create a romantic atmosphere, make potpourri, or try one of the following ideas.
3. Add rose petals to your favorite drink. Create a cocktail decoration, a festive rose petal punch or treat yourself to refreshing rose water.
4. Be creative and use rose petals for works of art. Design a rose petal necklace or create your own unique rose scented perfume.
5. Add rose petals to your diet. Try a rose petal sandwich. Go for homemade food and make your own rose petal jam or frost the petals to decorate a cake.

Tips

• Check the stored rose petals (in a tin or pot) regularly for insects. If you find insects, discard the dried leaves and thoroughly clean the can or jar before using it again.
• Most flowers darken when they dry. Keep this in mind if you want to use the dried flowers for decoration with a certain color palette.
• Pick more rose petals than you need.Then you still have enough beautiful leaves for what you want to do with them, even if a few are damaged during the drying process.

Necessities

• Fresh and well-opened roses
• Scissors
• Microwave safe board
• Microwave
• Kitchen paper
• Newspapers or tea towels
• Drying rack
• Drying oven
• Book
• Tin or jar with airtight seal to store the leaves