Article: This will vary from oven to oven. Some ovens can go as low as 150F (66C), while others can only go down to 200 or 250F (93 or 121C). This method may cause the flowers to lose their shape. While they may no longer work for dried flower arrangement, they'll be perfect for potpourri and soap making. Pick a sturdy flower, such as a daisy, rose, marigold, sunflower, or zinnia. Use garden clippers or scissors to cut the stems as close to the bottom of the bloom as possible. You can try this method on more delicate flowers as well, such as poppies or pansies, but you will have to watch them carefully to ensure that they do not burn. Set a metal cooling rack into a baking sheet so that it is easier to move around. Next, spread the flowers evenly across the rack. Leave about a finger-width of space between each flower. Also, make sure that the blooms are facing up. Use the same type of cooling rack you'd use for baking cookies and cakes. How long it takes for the flowers to dry will depend on what temperature you used, how many flowers you are drying, and what type of flowers you are using. The flowers are ready when they start to deepen in color and take on a papery, crinkled texture. Expect to wait 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Remove any flowers that finish drying early. Do not get impatient and use a higher temperature. This will increase the chances of the flowers burning. It is important to check the flowers every 30 minutes, as some of them may finish drying before the others do. The flowers are delicate, so be careful when using them. Because of their bright colors, they are perfect for potpourri. You can also pull the petals off and use them in various craft projects, such as soap-making or candle-making. If you won't be using the flowers right away, store them in a box filled with crinkled paper. If the flowers came apart and turned to potpourri, store them in a box without paper.
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Preheat your oven to the lowest temperature possible. Choose a sturdy flower, then trim the blooms off. Spread the flowers across a metal cooling rack. Bake the flowers until they dry, checking on them every 30 minutes. Let the flowers cool before using them.