I'd like to preserve a rose taken from a relatives funeral.?

Question

I've heard of wedding flowers being "freeze dried" by companies and framed, does anyone know of any companies that would do the same thing for smaller flowers?

Or any methods to preserve that work well?

I'm scared to press the flower incase I mess it up!

Answer 1

hang it by the stem upside down.  It will dry and retain its shape.  Cut the stem to the desired length and frame.  Keep it out of direct light.  I keep mine in a small box.

I have pressed roses too -- all I did was stuff it into a big dictionary between a couple sheets of white paper and pile a bunch more books on top of it.  I took a long time and the result was not as pretty as the above method but if you want it to be flat, well, it worked fine.  Still looked cool.

Answer 2

You can freeze it yourself in your freezer. It works.

Answer 3

You can dry it in a space that is dry and dark.

Answer 4

Maybe you can get a wood finish or similiar product in a spray can. I am thinking, Polyeurathane painted on wood creates a hard finish that protects the wood for years to come.

If this were to be sprayed on an object through a spray can you could spray much less to protect that object from the natural decay process that all things endure.

Maybe a can of Laquer would work better, if you can get that in a spray can, since it naturally dries much faster.

Answer 5

All you have to do is hang it upside down with good air circulation until it is completely dry.

And you can buy a shadow box picture frame and mount it with other memorabilia of the person who’s memory you want to preserve.

Answer 6

You can purchase crystals or powders that absorb the moisture and will dry the rose. They have instructions on the package that tell you how.

Or you can do what I did when someone I liked passed away.  Take a long stemmed rose and clip the end so it is a fresh cut. Dip the fresh cut in vitamin B powder and then put it in a vase of water. In about a week you will see roots coming from the bottom of the stem. At that time plant the rose in a pot of miracle grow. In about a month, transplant the rose outside.

I named the rose after her. It grows in the corner of my yard.

Answer 7

Most freeze dryers will do a single flower if you can get it to them while it still is fresh.  This is done in a large machine. You would have to do a online search for a dryer in your area or ask a florist or bridal shop if they know of anyone nearby.  If nothing comes up in a search, call any of the ones listed and ask for a referral on a dryer near you.   If you freeze it yourself the chances of it turning brown are very high.   If warm air hits a frozen flower before it is completely dry, it turns brown.

The only other way to keep it looking fresh is the drying crystals (usually found at craft store).  It will be very fragile.   Otherwise you will have to air dry (upside down) or press it.   No method is fool proof, if you mess it up you will have nice potpourri.   The method will depend on what you want to do with it after it is dry.   Pressed roses can go in an album while the other methods would need to be put under glass to keep it nice.

good luck and sorry for your loss