From fresh to dried, how does that actually work?
Trucks full of fresh flowers, grasses and panicles from all over Europe arrive at our premises. These natural products are transformed into beautiful dried flowers. How exactly does this process work? Greenflor takes you behind the scenes.
A flourishing business
Our partner in Rijnsburg has more than 20 years of experience in drying and dyeing flowers and decorations. Thanks to the increasing demand for dried flowers, the company is running at full speed. Every week 120,000 bunches are dried and last year millions of plumes went out the door.
Some flowers come directly from Italian, Spanish or Dutch growers. These fresh flowers are hung in bunches upside down on racks in the drying room. The other part of the flowers are delivered dried. These flowers are delivered from South America to India.
Step by step
To preserve both their original colour and shape, the flowers need to dry as quickly as possible. The racks full of fresh flowers are therefore placed in a special drying cell. Fans blow warm air of 60 degrees through the cell. This ensures that the flowers dry perfectly within two days. The latest heating system prevents unnecessary energy loss.
After drying, the flowers are taken to the dyehouse. Here, they are hand-dyed with water-based paint. This paint preserves the natural look of the flowers. Excess paint is collected with large containers to avoid waste. The flowers come out of the dyehouse in a variety of trendy colours. From soft pastels to bright colours and from festive gold to chic black. Dyeing extends the life of the flowers so you can enjoy them for longer.
Innovative peonies
A little further on, an interesting experiment is carried out with dried peonies. Because peonies that had matured on water were not strong enough after drying, they are now left to grow longer in the field. They are harvested only when they are perfectly matured. Then they are taken directly to the drying cell. The result? Strong, dried peonies you can enjoy for a long time, even after the peony season.
Tips for home
Want to dry flowers yourself? Make small bunches of the same flowers and hang them upside down in a warm, dark room, such as above the heating or in a cupboard. Do you have a spacious hot-air oven? Set it to 38 degrees, place the flowers upright in an oven rack and let them dry for 3 to 4 hours. Remove them from the oven and let them cool on another rack. And voilĂ , you have your very own dried flowers.
about Greenflor
Greenflor is the trendsetter and importer of unique flowers and natural decoration. Our passionate team selects the most extraordinary products for florists, wholesalers and garden centers. Every season, from winter to summer, we offer exclusive and perfect flowers. With our wide range of fresh and dried flowers, Greenflor ensures that you can enjoy beautiful seasonal flowers all year round.