Dried Dahlias

MissyWeitzel

I dried a few dahlias just by hanging them upside down in the basement earlier this summer. At first I didn't really like them because they don't look much like their fresh form. Then I noticed how unique each one is when dried and I am really getting into it. I was just going to dry a few to make wreaths for my parents and stepdaughter, but it has snowballed into me hanging at least half of the dahlias I cut the last couple weeks so I can see all the varieties when dry. I especially like dahlias with a lot of long petals, multiple colors, and variegation for drying. Single color poms and balls are nice because they're sturdy, but they're more predictable. Pics would be way better in natural light but I haven't had a chance in daytime.
Hollyhill Starburst is super cool because the petals curl up.
The top ones are WB's Misbehavin' and bottom Fuzzy Wuzzy.
Sandia Nocturne dries an amazing nearly black purple.
Skipley Reboot dries a nearly black burgandy.
AC White Rabbit top and Caribbean Fantasy bottom. These are way cooler in person.
This was a mislabel so not sure variety but it was made to be dried!

Krista

Gosh Missy, these are so pretty!

Cosey

These are beautiful! They would look amazing on a pumpkin for a thanksgiving centerpiece!

MissyWeitzel

We're celebrating Thanksgiving at our home today. No pumpkin, but it is definitely nice to have a few dahlias on the table.

Juliarugula

MissyWeitzel what a beautiful arrangement!

Cosey

MissyWeitzel So so so good!

calico20hill

Very seasonal!

MissyWeitzel

I fell even more in love with dried dahlias (and dried flowers in general) this season. I sell them in the off season but also keep some for myself to create with. Yesterday rain forced me to take a break from digging tubers and I took the opportunity to organize everything I've dried this year. I have a lot more dahlias I bundled up to list plus a big rack still drying and this is my personal stash. 😊

Krista

MissyWeitzel So beautiful, are you finding some colors and forms or combos of those that perform better than others in dried form, or is it a pretty mixed bag?

SteveM

MissyWeitzel Those are beautiful! Have you ever tried freeze-drying dahlias?

Bessie

MissyWeitzel your pictures have made me a convert... now I like dried dahlias.

blown_dry

I love the colors that develop.

MissyWeitzel

Krista in general the tidiest and tightest forms stay that way when dried. A lot of forms with long thin petals like cactus actually roll in when dried. Informal decorative, semi cactus and lacinated are the least predictable but in a good way! I've dried singles and collarettes and anemones too. I think anemones turn out the best.
Form aside, variegated, bicolor and multi color make the most interesting dried dahlias in my opinion.
Some varieties dry better than others and are just less fragile. Bloom attachment, like with fresh, is super important!
Honestly each one is kind of a little experiment and I think that is what I love so much. By tge way, the arrangement I made above for last Thanksgiving looks as perfect today. Zero fading or other issues!

MissyWeitzel

SteveM No! I haven't even heard of freeze drying dahlias! Is it something you've done? I'd love to see pictures.

SteveM

SteveM Have you ever tried freeze-drying dahlias

I never have but wanted to about 35 years ago. I never had the spare time/money. Machines were very expensive then, maybe they are cheaper now but I don't know much about them. Besides it is a tax write-off.🙂 I think of dried dahlias as "art" and freeze-dried dahlias as "realism". I wonder if freeze-drying wedding arrangements for posterity would be a worthwile business.

MissyWeitzel

SteveM it's funny you say that because I Googled it a bit and learned there's a business about a half hour away from me that has been freeze drying wedding bouquets for 35 years!
I should have tried some in my food dehydrator too! There's always next season. 😊

SteveM

MissyWeitzel So I had another good idea that was only 35 years too late. 🙂

BackyardBouquets_17

I’ve got a friend who dries dahlias by placing them in silica sand or sometimes silica gel. This is a pic of some of her stuff.

MissyWeitzel

I'm done with tubers and onto making gifts for family and friends. I made a few wreaths today. This one is a smaller size and I'm gifting along with a scented Christmas candle that fits perfectly in the center so they can either hang it or use as a centerpiece with the candle.

Fresh eucalyptus and willow + dried dahlias

Also, off topic, but here's my favorite Dutch holuday tradition. Chocolate letters! I always had one in my stocking growing up and I carry the tradition on every year. I buy myself one too and put it in my own stocking. 😋

blown_dry

MissyWeitzel I could get on board with that tradition. 🙂

Krista

MissyWeitzel Fresh eucalyptus and willow + dried dahlias

I’ve been so taken by the colors that developed in some of the dried dahlias you’ve shared pictures of that I hadn’t considered how beautiful whites would be. This is a gorgeous wreath!