Familiar, upright annual plants, sunflowers (Helianthus) are valued for their friendly, colorful flowers that bloom from summer until autumn. Sunflowers are available in shades of yellow, orange, red or creamy white, depending on the variety, and in dwarf forms that top out at 14 to 16 inches, as well as giant varieties that reach heights of 10 to 15 feet. Sunflowers make excellent cut flowers, and are easily dried for use in floral arrangements all year round.
Pick sunflowers on a dry day when the blooms are free of dew and moisture. Pick more than you think you'll need to allow for possible accidents or mistakes. Select perfect flowers that aren't quite fully opened, as the blooms continue to open during the drying process. Never attempt to dry wilted or damaged flowers because flaws are more apparent when the blooms are dried. Put the flowers in a container of cool water immediately to keep them fresh.
Sunflowers are well-suited for drying with a dessicant, which is a substance that absorbs water. Several dessicants are suitable, including fine, clean, dry sand. However, sand is heavy and may distort the flowers. Also, the drying process can take as long as two to three weeks. You also can use a mixture of cornmeal and Borax, which is lighter than sand. Use a 50-50 mix, or mixture of one part Borax and up to six parts cornmeal. Don't use Borax alone, as it bleaches the colors of the flowers. Most people have the best results with silica gel, a lightweight, sand-like material that absorbs moisture from the air very quickly. Although silica gel is more expensive, it is reliable, trouble-free, and can be dried and re-used many times.
Remove the stem, leaving a 1- to 2-inch stub of stem attached to the sunflower. Insert a 3- to 4-inch length of 18-gauge florist's wire up through the center of the stub, and then push the wire so the end emerges through the back of the sunflower. Bend the end into a hook, and then pull the hook back into the center of the bloom. You can extend the length by attaching longer wire later, but a short wire simplifies the drying process. Place 1 to 2 inches of dessicant in the bottom of a shallow container. If you use sand or a Borax mix, use a cardboard box with a sturdy bottom and no lid. Cardboard works well as it provides good air circulation. If you choose to dry the sunflower with silica gel, put the gel in an airtight container with a secure lid. Otherwise, the gel absorbs moisture from the air instead of the flower and the drying time is extended.
Lay the sunflower on the dessicant with the bloom facing up. Spoon additional dessicant carefully over the sunflower until the flower is covered completely, and then tap the box to settle the material evenly around the bloom. If the gel settles, add more to ensure the flower is covered completely. Put the container in a warm dry place and allow the sunflower to dry for two to four days. The sunflower is dried when it's dry and papery, but not brittle. Don't dry the flower too long, as the petals may shatter. To remove the sunflower from the dessicant, slide your hand under the flower, and then lift the flower carefully. Tap the flower gently to remove excess gel. Remove excess gel that clings to the petals using a soft artist's brush
- The New Sunset Western Garden Book; Kathleen Norris Brenzel, ed.
- University of Missouri Extension Drying Flowers and Foliage for Arrangements
- University of Illinois Extension: Drying Flowers in a Desiccant
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