Guest guest Posted August 9, 2005 Report Share Posted August 9, 2005 Pressing Flowers Pressing flowers has been a popular pastime for hundreds of years. How wonderful it is to open an old family album or book of verse and find between its pages a small spray of flowers saved with loving care throughout the years. A flower press generally consists of 2 pieces of wood, cardboard, and absorbent paper. Lay out your botanicals, top with absorbent paper and cardboard. This completes one layer. One can do 8 to 10 layers in a press. Top with the second piece of wood. Store-bought presses will have wing nuts in each corner of the wooden boards for tightening the press. In the following days, check the press and re-tighten as needed. If you are handy and have a drill, you could make your own press, or simply use two wooden scrap boards up to a foot long, cut cardboard and construction paper of the same size. Use two belts to tighten your press, and re-tighten as necessary. You could simply use old books - phone books work great. Skip several pages between botanicals. For added absorption, sandwich plant material in between pieces of facial tissue. Top with additional books for more bulky botanicals. The phone book is also a great place to store the pressed material - one can take advantage of the alphabetical order and store the plants accordingly - such as " B " for blue blossoms, or whatever scientific method you prefer! Generally, leave the plants in the press for 2 weeks, check, and if necessary keep a little longer. -- Diana Gonzalez Nothing wastes more energy than worrying - the longer a problem is carried, the heavier it gets. Don't take things too seriously - live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets. -Unknown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.