How to Make Freeze-Dried Peony Petals

Freeze drying flowers is a process in which the flowers are placed in a machine that lowers the temperature to about minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, over a period of time, the temperature is slowly raised back to room temperature. The result is a perfectly preserved flower that looks just as it did fresh. Peonies are good choices for freeze drying since they have such large and lovely blooms.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You’ll Need

• Vase
• Freeze dryer

1. Pick the best-looking peony blooms for your freeze-dried flowers. Cut them off at the stems and place them in a vase full of water for 12 hours.
2. Remove the peonies from the vase and gently pluck all of the petals from the flowers.
3. Turn the temperature gauge in the freeze dryer’s specimen chamber down to between minus 20 F and minus 5 F. Allow it to reach the desired temperature. Press the vacuum button for 10 seconds to seal the chamber.
4. Spread the peony petals out on the freeze dryer’s rack in one layer. Make sure they’re not touching one other. Place the rack in the freeze dryer’s chamber.
5. Set the temperature to between minus 5 and minus 20 F for 24 to 48 hours. Turn on the vacuum. Increase the temperature by 5 F every two days. Once the temperature is about 70 F, open the chamber and check on the peony petals. If they’re dry and not cold, they’re ready. Remove the peony petals from the freeze dryer and use as you wish.