How to Dry Flowers

Drying flowers at home isn't difficult and will brink added beauty to you home even in the winter months.  It will stretch your wallet since you don't have to go down to the local craft store.

Here's how:  Mix one part borax (look for the familiar 20 Mules on the box)  with two parts cornmeal, combining well.  Pour some of this mixture into an oblong box large enough to hold two freshly cut flowers - flowers that have been in water with a preservative will not dry using this method.  Make sure the flowers you choose have as little surface moisture clinging to them as possible.

Pour some of the borax mixture into the box (a shoe box with a lid is ideal) and gently place the flowers on tops. If, like roses, your flower has overlapping petals, gently pour some of the mixtures inside the center of the petals.  Cover leaving no air space around the petals, leaves, or stem.  Seal the box with tape, storing in a dark, cook place for 7 to 10 days...judge how long according to the weather.

At the end of this time, carefully pour off enough of the borax until you can see the flower, gently lifting it from the box and brushing off the las remaining particles of powder with a soft artist's brush.