.....with your rose petals? I just can't stand throwing them out. I usually
just throw them in a basket for a few days or float them in a bowl or
something. What's the best way to dry them without them turning ookie colors
and losing their smell completely? Any good links to this kind of thing?
Also, is there a FAQ for this group?

First time poster, long time rose grower.

Ol' Thornfinger wrote:

.....with your rose petals? I just can't stand throwing them out.

For the first few years I dried them on paper towels on the formal dining
table I hardly ever use, then put them in those mason-jar style clear
canisters. I also dried some roses whole in the attic and discovered, for
example, that Lagerfeld, when dried whole, is pure, dark PURPLE, no mauve
in sight.

You could do all sorts of things with them--make potpourri for Christmas
presents, perhaps. You can get information and equipment at any craft
store--silica gel for faster drying, drying racks. One thing that stopped
me is that I love fresh roses, but find the scent of dried roses and/or
rose oil cloying. Drying them in a dark, cool place preserves color.
Nothing preserves the good fresh rose scent.



First time poster, long time rose grower.

Welcome!! Where are you? I am in Raleigh, NC.

I've found that drying leafy herbs (such as lettuce-leaf basil or lemon
balm) can be done very well in the microwave. I'd be willing to bet that
it would work pretty well on rose petals.

You have to make sure that the petals are really fine, with no
bruising, tears, or creases. Lay them on paper towels and start
experimenting with the time and depending on how many petals
you have laid out . A minute or less to start, I would guess.
What I found with this method is that herbs which are typically best
fresh (like basil)preserve more of the fresh flavor and better color
with this method of drying.

Ol' Thornfinger wrote:
....with your rose petals? I just can't stand throwing them out. I usually
just throw them in a basket for a few days or float them in a bowl or
something. What's the best way to dry them without them turning ookie colors
and losing their smell completely? Any good links to this kind of thing?
Also, is there a FAQ for this group?

First time poster, long time rose grower.

Hi there, Ol',
I used to dry them sometimes. I used to use special silica/sand type drying
stuff which I bought at craft stores. It was amazing how prefectly the roses
dried, without shriveling, but with slightly muted colours. Can't recall the
brand but I'm sure they still have it around. I know the freeze dried ones
are amazing but I believe special equipment is needed for that.
I liked making homemade papers using them individually imbedded in random
spots. I also like trying to make my own rose water, but it takes the
freshest first morning picked roses, distilled water and patience. I use
rose water in cooking and as a cosmetic treat.
I realized at some point that i could grind up rose petals and smear them
onto my face as a mask...sounds strange, feels great...and then, i decided
to use muslin bags filled with rose petals and lavender and assorted other
herbal thingies, tie them up and make bath tub tea...for a skin smoothing
soak.
I ised to also freeze rose petals individually in ice cube trays...so summer
drinks would be exciting...and sometimes for parties I freeze and entire
"bowl of roses" by taking a big plactic bowl, half filling it with distilled
water and sprays of roses tied into a ring, then taping another bowl into
the center and putting it all into the big freezer for a couple of days. I
serve pink lemonade or raspberry green tea from it during froo froo parties.
Last fall I made some rose petal jam which thanks to lovely people in this
group and planty of great information, I am pleased to say was beautiful and
delicious!

Jane

"Ol' Thornfinger" wrote in message
...
....with your rose petals? I just can't stand throwing them out. I usually
just throw them in a basket for a few days or float them in a bowl or
something. What's the best way to dry them without them turning ookie
colors
and losing their smell completely? Any good links to this kind of thing?
Also, is there a FAQ for this group?

First time poster, long time rose grower.

There's a product called a "Microwave Flower" press that's supposed to do a
really great job on drying and preserving color.

"Ol' Thornfinger" wrote in message
...
....with your rose petals? I just can't stand throwing them out. I usually
just throw them in a basket for a few days or float them in a bowl or
something. What's the best way to dry them without them turning ookie
colors
and losing their smell completely? Any good links to this kind of thing?
Also, is there a FAQ for this group?

First time poster, long time rose grower.

I agree, it's a problem for someone who hates to throw anything beautiful or
useful away...Consequently I have gallons of the buggers. Most dry nicely in
the microwave if laid on sheets of paper towels, covered with a paper towel,
and microwave on high for about 40 seconds, then check, turn, and make sure
they're not sticking to the paper and try another 40 seconds or so. It works
really well for those light colored petals that usually turn brown. They
must be fresh, unbruised, and not "over the hill" (plucked, not falling off
the buds.) They look quite pretty in bath salts, but I've not come up with
much else to use them for. I steep fresh petals in witch hazel, repeating
the process several times, and keep the lovely pink astringent in my fridge
as a cooling face rinse.
More suggestions would be great though.
(And yes, I'm pretty new here myself, but not new to roses either; my
collection has grown now to over 100)