Fresh flowers are a beautiful decoration that is unfortunately very fleeting. Through skillful pressing you can keep its magic lasting. The delicate beauties with a vintage touch look lovely framed or stuck onto greeting cards. We present you three uncomplicated methods.
How to press and preserve flowers?
You can press and preserve flowers using three methods: 1. Use books: Place flowers and leaves between parchment paper in a heavy book and add additional weight to it. 2. Use special flower presses: Place flowers and leaves in a flower press and press them with pressure. 3. Use the microwave: Dry plant parts between tiles and cardboard in the microwave.
Which flowers are suitable?
In principle, you can press and dry all flowers. However, flat flowers such as violets, daisies or lavender are easier to treat. Spherical flowers or those with numerous leaves like roses are a little more difficult to preserve. With these you need a little patience as well as sensitivity, as it takes up to two weeks for them to dry completely.
Don't be afraid of small flaws, for example because an insect has nibbled on a flower. Cracks or tiny holes can later give the pressed plant part its special appeal.
Pressing flowers with books
For this you need:
- Flowers and leaves,
- large, heavy books if possible,
- parchment paper,
- Things to complain about.
Procedure:
- Open the book approximately in the middle.
- Place paper on the right side of the book.
- Distribute the flowers so that they do not touch each other.
- Cover flowers with parchment paper.
- Close the book and put it in a warm place.
- Weigh down with additional books or heavy objects such as cans.
- Let it dry for about a week. During this time, change the paper on the flowers regularly. This removes any moisture that has escaped and prevents the formation of mold.
Preserving flowers with a special press
Special flower presses (€12.00 on Amazon) are available in any well-stocked craft store. Thanks to the high pressure of the two wooden plates, even thicker plant parts can be pressed evenly. The result is beautiful, flat flowers that retain almost their natural color.
In addition to the flower press, all you need are nicely shaped flowers, leaves and parchment paper.
Procedure:
- Remove cardboard bases from the press and cover with parchment paper.
- Arrange the flowers on top so that they don't touch each other.
- Place the paper and put it into the press so that all edges are flush.
- Place a wooden panel over it and tighten the screws until the panels are pressed together tightly.
- Place in a warm place for about a week.
- Replace the top layer of paper after 3 days at the latest.
- The flowers are dry when they detach themselves from the bottom paper.
Pressing flowers in the microwave
This method is particularly quick and produces very nice results. You need:
- 2 old ceramic tiles,
- Cardboard pieces of the same size,
- Paper,
- Window gum,
- Flowers and leaves.
Procedure
- Put cardboard on a tile.
- Place a sheet of parchment paper on top and arrange the flowers so that they don't touch each other.
- Place the second box on top and place the second tile on top.
- Fix with the rubber bands.
- Place in the microwave and run on full setting for 45 seconds.
- Remove rubber and check result.
- Repeat until the flower is completely dry.
Tip
The pressed plant parts are quite fragile. Remove them very carefully and, if possible, hold the preserved flowers by the stem. When dealing with petals, we recommend using tweezers.
