Chrysanthemums, often called mums, are popular ornamental flowers cultivated for their vibrant colors and diverse petal forms. Like many other blooms, these composite flowers can be successfully preserved through various drying techniques. Preserving chrysanthemums allows their rich colors and unique structures to be maintained long after their fresh vase life has ended. Proper preservation transforms these seasonal flowers into lasting material for decorative and practical applications. The feasibility of drying them depends on selecting the right specimens and using a method that suits the flower’s density and water content.
Optimal Selection and Pre-Drying Preparation
Mums should be harvested just as the bloom is nearly open, ensuring the petals are firm and the flower is at its peak color. Inspect each flower head carefully to confirm it is free of physical damage, moisture, or any signs of browning or wilting, as these imperfections will become permanent once dried. Preparing the stem involves removing the majority of the foliage, especially the lower leaves, since these hold considerable moisture and can impede drying or promote mold growth. Trimming the stems to a manageable length is also necessary, depending on the intended drying method. Before placing the bloom into any drying medium, it should be dry to the touch, free of any condensation or liquid water droplets.
Detailed Methods for Preserving Blooms
Air drying is the simplest and most traditional method, best suited for preserving the flower’s overall shape, including the full stem. This process involves gathering a few stems into a small, loose bundle and securing them with a rubber band or twine. The bundles must be hung upside down in a dark, dry, and well-ventilated location to allow for slow, even moisture evaporation. Chrysanthemums may require a longer duration, sometimes up to eight weeks, to fully dry.
For flat applications, such as framing or card making, pressing is the preferred technique. Place the bloom between two sheets of absorbent paper, like blotting paper or coffee filters, ensuring the petals are arranged as desired before pressing. The prepared flower is then placed inside a heavy book or a specialized flower press for about two to three weeks until it is completely flattened and papery-dry.
The desiccant method, primarily using silica gel, offers the best retention of the flower’s original color and three-dimensional shape. Silica gel is a granular substance that efficiently absorbs moisture from the flower’s tissues. The bloom is gently buried in an airtight container filled with the gel, taking care to sift the crystals between the petals to support the structure.
Depending on the size of the bloom, this process can take anywhere from three to eight days in a sealed container, or up to two weeks for larger, denser flower heads. A faster technique involves placing the gel-embedded container in a microwave on a low heat setting for a few minutes, followed by a cooling period while still covered in the desiccant. This rapid dehydration helps to lock in the vibrant color pigments more effectively than air drying.
Creative Applications for Dried Chrysanthemums
Once fully dried, chrysanthemums can be incorporated into a wide variety of decorative and functional items. The preserved flowers are excellent material for:
- Crafting wreaths
- Creating custom potpourri mixes
- Embedding into resin to make coasters, jewelry, or small decorative art pieces
- Arranging and framing flattened blooms in shadow boxes or laminating them into unique bookmarks
The robust shape of silica-dried mums makes them ideal for natural, long-lasting floral arrangements without the need for water. They can also be used to create Japanese herbarium bottles, where the flowers are suspended in mineral oil for a unique display. The flowers are also traditionally consumed as a herbal infusion, known as chrysanthemum tea, which is valued for its delicate aroma and high flavonoid content.
When considering culinary uses, it is paramount to ensure the specific variety of chrysanthemum is safe for consumption and has been grown without harmful pesticides or chemicals. Only certain species, such as Chrysanthemum morifolium, are used for tea. For home-grown flowers, using them for non-consumable crafts and decor is the safer and recommended application.