4 Tips To Prevent Dried Flowers From Getting Powdery Mildew

Dried and preserved flowers are popular for their longevity and low-maintenance care routine so it can be heartbreaking to know that fungus and mold can still be a concern!

While the dehydration or preservation process does remove a lot of moisture from the flowers to aid against the usual mold and rot, powdery mildew can still occur. Powdery mildew is a type of fungus that does not require water or moisture to live, making it a unique problem for dried and preserved blossoms.

Thankfully, you can follow these simple care tips to keep your flowers looking their best.

Shop dried flowers, preserved flowers in glass domes, and more dried and preserved flower bouquets (like this beautiful Preserved & Dried Flower Bouquet (Vday Edition), pictured) online at FavFlorist! We offer islandwide and same-day express delivery, with free delivery for any order above $80. Find out more in our FAQs.

1. Pick the right bouquet

Before hitting that purchase button, take some time to think about the profile of the person who will be receiving it.

If the person loves a classic bouquet without needing to get too high-maintenance our Surprise Dried Flower Bouquet might be ideal! Each bouquet is hand-assembled by our experienced florists and contains a selection of dried flower favourites such as roses in all shades and colours. The Autumn Morning – Dried Flower Cone Bouquet is a smaller variation that includes 2 dried flowers and stalks of baby’s breath, wheat, and filler foliage.

If the recipient wants to be as hands-off as possible, something from our selection of preserved flowers in a glass dome might be the right choice! From the soft and rosy pink Fairy Maiden Flower Dome to the otherworldly red and blue Cabalistic Preserved Flower Dome, we have dozens of preserved flower bouquets to choose from. As the flowers are suspended in preservation liquid, they will look and stay fresh so long as the dome is intact and the liquid does not spill out.

2. Maintain good air circulation for dried flowers

As your dried flowers will come neatly arranged, it’s understandable that you won’t want to separate the stalks and dismantle the bouquet. However maintaining adequate spacing between the susceptible plants is key to preventing powdery mildew growth!

Once the stalks are separated, ensure your flowers get good air circulation and avoid leaving them too close to sources of humidity. You can also hang them upside down to dry them out further, especially if they were previously bundled together.

3. Check on your dried flowers regularly

As dried flowers are low-maintenance, it’s easy to fall into a habit of not checking up on them. However, it’s good practice to check over the stalks and petals at least once every couple of days. Some of the telltale signs of powdery mildew to look out for include:

• Your plants look like they have been dusted with flour
• Circular white spots of powder on the upper or underside of leaves
• Yellowing or dried leaves

Gently dusting the bouquet can help discourage powdery mildew. You can even use compressed air canisters (like those used for cleaning keyboards) but remember to be gentle as dried flowers can be fragile.

4. Use sulfur dust on your dried flowers

If this is a dried flower bouquet you really want to hold on to for a long time, it’s time to get proactive. Organic pesticides such as sulfur dust, neem oil, or potassium bicarbonate can be used to tackle powdery mildew growth or even prevent it. Some plant enthusiasts also use baking soda or a dilution of milk and water, and the method you choose should be appropriate for the flowers you have.

Depending on the method, you can either apply the fungicide powder or gently spray on the liquid mixture onto the leaves and petals of your plants. If you are using a liquid-based solution, make sure not to overdo it as too much moisture can still lead to the usual fungal and mold growth!

Find the right Dried Flower Bouquet with FavFlorist

Whether fresh, dried, or preserved, find the right flowers for your loved ones (or yourself!) with FavFlorist. Our floral arrangements and flower domes (like this dreamy Summer Hush Preserved Flower Dome (LED), pictured) are carefully handcrafted with love to bring you only the most beautiful blossoms around. Find out more about our same-day express and islandwide delivery options in our FAQs or get in touch with us!