The paper button is a small, delicate plant that is ideal as a dried flower. To ensure that nothing goes wrong during the process, the timing of the pruning is particularly important.
The paper button is not only an attractive summer flower, we can keep the memory of the blooming summer beyond that. The daisy family not only cuts a fine figure as a cut flower in the vase, but is also one of the most popular dried flowers. Here's how to cut dried flowers, how to dry them, and then arrange them nicely.
When should dried flowers be cut?
If you want to dry the paper button, you have to make a compromise. In this case, the long flowering in the bed cannot be admired. The flowers should be cut off before they fully open. The yellow center of the daisy family should not be visible. Flower heads that are open too wide would be far less attractive and could also fall out before they have dried.
» Tip: Decorate your garden with several plants, then there will be enough cut and dried flowers left over.
A dry day should be selected for cutting the flowers. The late morning hours are the ideal time. If you cut too early in the morning, the dew on the flowers will probably not have dried yet. If you pick up your scissors too late in the afternoon, you risk the sun wilting the flowers.
Differences in the pruning time of other plants
| Cut Time | Plants |
|---|---|
| Bud just before blossoming | • Paper Buttons • Globe Thistle |
| Flower half open | • Straw Flowers • Leek |
| in bloom | • Lavender • Gypsophila • Hydrangea • Yarrow • Roses |
Drying paper buttons - How it's done
❶ Cut Buds
❷ Bunch Buds
❸ Hang Buds
❹ Dry Buds
❺ Use Buds
The flower stalksare cut in a length of about 20 centimeters. In order for the flowers to last, they must be dried immediately after cutting. The cut flower stalks are tied together to form loose bouquets. The bouquets are now hung, with the stems up, in a warm and dry place to dry. Don't tie the bouquets too big or too tight. There must be air circulation, otherwise rot can quickly occur.
» Warning: Paper buttons are not dried in direct sunlight.
Because the drying process takes several weeks, the plants should be kept under surveillance from time to time. If there are signs of rot, the plants may be saved by loosely tying the drying shrub again or letting each plant dry individually.
» Tip: The decaying parts of the plant must be removed first.
Avoid Drying Mistakes
If you want to dry your paper buttons, you should do this as soon as possible after cutting the flower stalks. Otherwise, the risk of fungal infestation is high. First, the bouquets should be hung up in a warm and dry place. However, if dried for too long in a warm and dry location, the dried flowers may not last very long. The longest possible shelf life is promoted if the bouquets are first hung up in a damp place. The actual drying then takes place in a partially shaded place.
» Tip: The best place for optimal drying is to hang the bouquets on a dry, north-facing window.
Drying paper buttons for beginners
If the method just described seems too tedious or too time-consuming, you can also dry your paper buttons with the help of silica gel. The gel balls can be purchased in the craft shop.
How to dry buds with silica gel
- Place the gel balls in a flat container
- Put the flowers on the gel balls
- Cover the flowers with a layer of silica gel
- Close container tightly
- remove gel after about three days
- Carefully remove dried flowers
Choose balls that are as small as possible, then the shape of the flowers is best preserved during drying. You should be particularly careful when removing them, the flowers break easily, especially if the drying time is too long.
Another drying method works with the help of glycerin.Drying in glycerine water preserves the colors of the flowers. To do this, mix water with glycerin in a ratio of 2:1 and pour the solution into a sufficiently large flower vase. The flower stalks are placed in this mixture for about 14 days.
» Tip: If glycerin droplets appear on the flowers and leaves, it can be assumed that drying is complete.
Continue after drying
Once drying is complete, the paper buttons can be arranged in a variety of ways. The bouquets or arrangements can be tied immediately after drying. The dried flowers can also be stored in a cool, dry place until the muse kisses you and maybe on a dreary autumn day you feel like creatively designing with dried flowers.
Creative design ideas with paper buttons
The dried paper buttons can be arranged in many ways. Pretty possible combinations arise, for example, with ornamental grasses or plants that were found and dried on a walk through the woods and fields. If you want the arrangement to look more classic and elegant, roses are a good contrast.
How about flower pictures?
If the classic bouquet doesn't really seem like a challenge to you, then simply help an old technique to breathe new life and create flower pictures. Every picture needs a frame. Your own taste is required here. Antique frames, which give the whole thing an additional nostalgic touch, are particularly attractive. However, glass covers must be removed unless you have pressed the dried flowers.
The background for the flower picture can be different fabrics. Depending on the desired expression, the picture looks classic and elegant with silk or velvet as a background. A rustic charm is achieved with linen or jute. The dried blossoms are attached to the substrate using a hot glue gun. The most diverse structures can be created and an individual decoration or a nice gift idea has been found.
Dye dried flowers - how it works
The paper buttons have white petals and a yellow flower head. Only one yellow cultivar is known. If you want to add variety, you can color the flowers. To do this, food coloring in powder form, such as this one, is dissolved in water. The flower heads are dipped into the solution until the color intensity you desire is reached. The flowers then dry on kitchen paper or an old newspaper.
The following plants are also suitable for drying:
- Rosehip
- Rabbit Ear
- Bear Claw
- cotton grass
- Bulrush
- Moss