Roses are part of summer for many people. Various methods are suitable for preserving the floral splendor. But you have to take a few aspects into account so that the result reflects as much of the original beauty as possible.
How can I press and preserve roses?
To press roses, it is best to choose dog roses or similar varieties, pick flowers in their prime and use books or microwaves as pressing methods. Pay attention to moisture removal and press the flowers until they are dry.
Flower selection
If the petals contain too much moisture, the drying process will be prolonged. Particularly thick petals therefore require more patience. Spherical and filled specimens are difficult to dry because the individual components lie on top of each other when pressed. Therefore, most garden roses are not suitable. Roses like the five petal dog rose prove to be a perfect choice. But you can also try multi-leaf specimens if you pay attention to good moisture drainage.
Picking flowers
The trees should be at the beginning or middle of their flowering period in order to achieve the best possible results. The older the rose petals are, the faster the colors are lost during preservation. Observe the plant at the time of bud development. About three days after a flower opens is the ideal time to pick.
Good to know:
- do not collect in the morning as dewdrops stick to the petals
- wait until the morning before collecting
- endure on rainy days and prefer sunny conditions
Pressing
Depending on the shape and thickness of the plant material collected, you have the option of choosing between different methods. For roses, we recommend drying them in a book or the microwave.
Book
Rose petals with five petals can be pressed into discarded books (€12.00 on Amazon). Open the middle of the book and line it with blotting paper. Spread the material in the middle of the book page and close the pressing device. Additional weighting improves the result.
Microwave
For thicker petals, you will need two sheets each of paper and cardboard and two ceramic tiles. Drape the plant material in the middle of the absorbent base, cover it with another layer and place it between two sheets of cardboard. The tiles prevent the plant parts from curling. Secure the press with rubber bands and heat it on the highest setting for a minute. Repeat if necessary, gradually reducing the duration.
