Drying With Silica Gel

• 1). Strip the petals from the stem and bud of the rose either by plucking each petal individually or by using a scissors to clip them off in clumps. You can also use shears to cut the majority of the stem off the rose and dry the petals while still on the bud. The method you use will largely depend on what you want to use the petals for and the results you are looking for.
  
  Lay the petals on a paper towel until you are finished stripping all of the roses. Separate them into individual petals for the drying process. If you are using whole buds and blossoms, this step will be much speedier.
  
  
• 2). Arrange a layer of silica gel in the bottom of the large microwave-safe dish, using about 1/2 inch of the material. Wear goggles, gloves and mask while handling silica gel, as the particles can be inhaled and cause illness.
  
  Lay the rose petals on top of the silica gel before adding another layer of the gel on top of the petals. Make sure that none of the individual petals have folded in on themselves from the weight of the gel.
  
  If you are drying whole blossoms or buds, use a thicker layer of silica gel to create a secure base for the blossoms, then dig spaces for the buds within the gel.
  
  
• 3). Fill the mug or small dish with water and place in the back of the microwave, with space between the dish of water and dish of silica. Place the dish of silica and petals in the microwave and microwave them on high for one minute. Let the dish, petals and gel cool for 30 minutes before checking the petals for dryness. When the petals are dry, leave them in the container with the silica gel for an additional 24 to 48 hours.
  
  

Drying With Paper Towels

• 1). Strip the petals as you would when drying them in silica gel. This method is not as conducive to drying whole blossoms or buds. Arrange the petals on paper towels on a microwave-safe plate or line the bottom of a microwave-safe dish with paper towels.
  
  
• 2). Place paper towels over the layer of petals before placing the dish in the microwave. Microwave for 30-second to one-minute intervals, testing the petals after each round of drying to determine if the petals need to be dried further.
  
  
• 3). Let the petals cool completely before removing from the paper towels and storing in an airtight container. Layering petals on paper towels or wax paper for storage can protect them from damage, as they will be more fragile and brittle dried than they were in their natural state.