Omar Khalid
Preserving plants and flowers is a great way to maintain their original appearance and colour for a long time. There are several methods to achieve this, including air drying, silica gel, microwave drying, pressing, and liquid preservation. Air drying involves suspending blooms upside down in a warm, dry space, allowing moisture to drain downwards and helping the flowers retain their fullness and plumpness. Silica gel, a crystal-like desiccant, can also be used to dry out fresh flowers by covering them with the crystals and leaving them in a sealed box for several days. Microwave drying is a faster alternative, where flowers are sandwiched between a kitchen towel and microwaved in short bursts until dry. Pressing involves placing the plant between sheets of paper or cardboard and applying pressure with a plant press, straps, or heavy objects. Liquid preservation, on the other hand, replaces the plant's natural sap with a special solution of glycerine, water, and stabilisers, followed by a drying process.
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Pressing plants
Selecting and Preparing the Specimen
Start by choosing the plant you want to press. It could be a leaf, a frond, grass, a petal, or even a full plant, including the flower, leaves, and root. If you are collecting the plant yourself, it is recommended to pick it at midday when water and food stored in the plant are at low levels. You can keep the specimen moist until you are ready to press it, or press it shortly after picking.
Before pressing, gently brush off any loose soil and blot off moisture. If your plant has fragile seed heads, you can spray them with hairspray or aerosol lacquer to prevent shattering as they age.
Preparing the Press
Place the plant on a sheet of newspaper or cardboard. Include an identification tag with information such as the plant's name, a unique identifier, the location and date of collection, and any other relevant notes.
If using a plant press, place a layer of cardboard or wood at the bottom, followed by a layer of blotting paper. Then, position your plant specimen and cover it with another sheet of blotting paper. Continue building your "cake" by alternating layers of cardboard/wood and blotting paper, adding additional plant specimens if desired.
If you don't have a plant press, you can use straps or heavy objects like books or bricks to secure your plant "cake."
Drying the Specimen
The drying process will take at least a week, and larger plants will need more time. Check your specimens every two to three days, and replace damp paper with dry paper as needed. Ensure that the paper is absorbent, especially when dealing with succulent plants. Sheets of cardboard with centre corrugations can assist with air circulation.
For very soft plants, you may need to float them onto a sheet of paper immersed in water and then dry them. Alternatively, you can use a mounting sheet, placing the plant on it in a dish of shallow water and then gently sliding the sheet out of the water.
Storage and Preservation
Once your plants are dried, you can store them in closed boxes or sealed plastic bags containing mothballs and silica gel packets to absorb any residual moisture. Mounting your plants onto herbarium sheets is another option for storage and preservation. Label your herbarium sheets with the plant name and relevant field notes.
Remember, dried plant materials are flammable, so take precautions to prevent fire hazards.
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Using a microwave
Preserving plants in plastic using a microwave is a quick and easy method to try at home. This process involves removing the moisture from the plant, halting the decaying process and preserving its fresh beauty.
Firstly, you will need to prepare your flowers. Pick flowers that are flat, and at any stage from bud to full bloom. Remove foliage from the stems. You can also press the flowers before microwaving to flatten them, but this is not essential.
Next, you will need to prepare your microwaveable container. Line a dinner plate or a microwavable dish with paper towels or parchment paper. Arrange the flowers on the paper so they are not touching. You can also use silica gel to hold the flowers upright in the container. Cover the flowers with another layer of paper towel and then place a second plate on top to weigh down the flowers.
Now you are ready to microwave your flowers. Place a cup of water inside the microwave to avoid over-drying the flowers. Microwave for 30 seconds at a time, checking the flowers after each burst. The cooking time will depend on the power of your microwave and the type of flowers you are drying. When the flowers feel stiff and dry, they are ready. If the petals start to brown, you have microwaved them for too long.
Once the flowers are dry, cover the container and leave it to stand for a few hours or, if possible, overnight.
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Drying plants
Air drying
Air drying is a simple and effective method for drying plants. It involves removing moisture slowly while maintaining the plant's original shape and texture. Plants should be picked at midday when water and food stored in the plant parts are at low levels. To prevent mould growth, ensure there is good airflow during the drying process.
Using silica gel
Silica gel is a drying agent that helps preserve the shape and colour of plants. It requires an airtight container such as a can with a tight lid, a plastic storage container, or a plastic bag. Place a layer of silica gel in the bottom of the container, add the plants, and then sift more silica gel over and around the plants, being careful to retain their form. This method can also be done in a microwave, which helps preserve colour and structure better than air drying.
Using sand
Fine sand can be used in a similar way to silica gel to preserve flowers and foliage. Since sand is heavy, this method is only suitable for hardy plants. Pour a layer of sand into a sturdy box, lay the plants on top, and slowly pour sand over, under, and around each part of the plant until they are completely covered. Allow two weeks for the plants to dry, then remove the sand.
Pressing
Pressing plants is a simple and quick method of preservation. It involves placing the plant between two flat surfaces and applying pressure to remove moisture. Plants can be pressed between wax paper, cardboard, newspaper, or a mounting sheet and a sheet of adhesion-resistant material such as muslin. A plant press can be purchased or made at home.
Using glycerin
Leaves can be preserved using a glycerin and water solution. This maintains the leaf's texture and form by replacing the natural moisture present in the leaves with the glycerin solution.
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Using silica gel
Silica gel is a popular method for drying and preserving plants and flowers. It is a great way to maintain the colour and shape of flowers. The fresher the flowers are before placing them in silica gel, the fresher they will appear once dried. Therefore, it is recommended to keep the flowers in fresh water and in a cool place before drying them.
To dry flowers with silica gel, first, pour a thin layer of silica gel into the bottom of your chosen container. It is important to use an airtight container, such as a can with a tight lid, a plastic storage container, or a plastic bag. Then, carefully place the flowers face up on the silica gel. Make sure to wear gloves while handling the flowers to avoid bruising them.
Next, very slowly and carefully pour a small amount of silica gel evenly beside each flower. This will allow the silica gel to fall into place beneath the petals and support the weight of the flower, helping to maintain its shape. Once there is a little layer of silica gel holding the outside of the flower, slowly pour a small amount inside the flower, being careful not to squish any petals. Continue to alternate between pouring silica gel around and inside the flower to keep the petals in place and maintain its shape.
After covering the flowers with silica gel, seal the container and leave it for about a week. The flowers will be firm and ready for display when fully dry. To check if the flowers are dry, feel the petals; they should be stiff, almost crunchy, and feel like paper. If the petals still bend and feel spongey or mushy, leave them in the silica gel for a few more days.
It is important to note that dried plant materials are highly flammable, so take precautions to prevent fire hazards. Additionally, make sure to use new or recharged silica gel that is not saturated. You can recharge silica gel by placing it on a baking tray in the oven at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 5 hours.
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Preserving liquid
Preserving plants in liquid typically involves drying the plant first. However, some soft water plants can be preserved in alcohol or formalin solutions. Before drying, fresh plant materials should be picked at midday when water and food stored in the plant parts are at low levels. Cones and pods may need to be washed in water with a mild detergent.
To dry the plants, you can use a plant press. Place the plant on a sheet of newspaper, arranging it as you would like it to be presented. Then, place a mounting sheet on top of the plant. Gently screw down the plant press, or hold it together with straps, or place heavy objects such as books on top. Check the plants every two to three days, replacing damp paper with dry paper.
Alternatively, you can dry plants by placing them in a container with a drying agent such as borax or silica gel. Flowers with stems can be placed in a container with wires, bending the wires to fit the container. Flat-faced flowers may be placed face down, and all others face up.
Once the plants are dried, you can store them in closed boxes or sealed plastic bags containing mothballs and silica gel packets to absorb moisture.
It is important to note that dried plant materials are highly flammable, so take precautions to prevent fire hazards.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to preserve a plant in plastic. One way is to use a plant press. First, clean the plant by brushing off loose soil and blotting off moisture. Place the plant between two pieces of absorbent material, such as newspaper or cardboard, and screw down the press or weigh it down with heavy objects. Check the plant every few days and replace the damp paper with dry paper. Once the plant is dry, place it in a plastic bag or container. You can also use a desiccant like silica gel in a sealed plastic container to absorb moisture.
There are several other methods to preserve plants. One way is to dry them by hanging them upside down in a warm, dry space. You can also use a microwave oven, a freeze dryer, or a solution of glycerine, water, and stabilisers. Additionally, you can preserve plants by spraying them with hairspray or other aerosol lacquers or plastics.
Leaves, fronds, grasses, petals, and other flat plants are best preserved in plastic as they can be easily pressed and stored in flat containers or bags.
Preserved plants in plastic can last for many years if properly sealed and protected from moisture and pests.
