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As you see in the photo, lay the open side toward the spine of a book, slightly press open the larger ones to assure they will lay flat. Then slowly close the book, watching to make sure you don't bend a petal. This book is full of all sorts of leaves and blossoms. I store my dried things it in until I need them, that way they don't get broken.
If I need the room to dry more, I use a 3-ring binder with the clear plastic sleeves. Put the dried flowers or leaves on a used dryer sheet and carefully slide all down into the clear plastic sleeve.
By latrtatr from Loup City, NE
Editor's Note: Most flowers will leave a small stain on the pages of the book.
By
05/13/2011
Way back when I was in school, we did flower pressing for a botany class. Professor suggested using tissue between the flower and any book pages, especially if it was a nice book. Flowers do stain paper, but if you don't mind, that's ok. Timing? Well that really depends on how "juicy" the flower/leaf/fern is. I would check it after a week or so, and go from there. Humidity will also have a HUGE impact on drying time. I found a leaf in a bible that I had put in 30 years ago (had gotten a new Bible just after putting the leaf in the old one) and it was in amazingly good condition.
By
05/11/2011
Can you tell me how much time is needed for the drying process to complete and is it different for the book pages vs plastic sleeves with dryer sheets? Thanks. Gigi from Md.
By
05/11/2011
My family has used last year's phone books for pressing flowers for years. (That way, we didn't have to worry about the staining.) My kids not only did flowers (including johnny jump up violas like the ones pictured), but leaves, ferns, and grasses. They made pretty pictures and greeting cards with them. One year, I did enough fern tops to make our Christmas cards!
By
04/28/2010
Hi, those are known as violas at the garden stores around here. I know lots of people call them Johnny Jump Up too. I think they are closely related to pansies.
By
04/28/2010
I've been drying flowers for years, but never thought about putting them in plastic sleeves, let alone using a dryer sheet to do it. Thanks a lot, now I won't have broken flowers. Liz, Salinas, CA
Below you can read previous posts and comments about this topic. The discussions on this page have been archived 2 times. Select a discussion and read the feedback here.
(Archived Apr 27, 2010)Drying Flowers
By Dorothy
Feedback:
Also, carnations are known to shrivel up and become not all that attractive once dried. Roses hang upside down while still a bit closed as they will open a little more once hung to dry. A hook cut from wire is best to use. Rubber band the bottom of the stems 3 or 4 to a group, slide the hook in and under the rubber band and then put the other end of the hook over a coat hanger and pinch closed. Hang up the coat hanger in the basement or attic, garage or even a closet if you have room, should take about 2 weeks to be completely dry. Don't put too many together or they will mold and get smelly, not to forget it will not be attractive on the blooms.
Hope this will give you inspiration to go forth with this project! (09/22/2009)
By Beau D
(Archived Sep 21, 2009)Drying Flowers
Feedback:
You can preserve colored fall leaves, magnolia leaves (for wreaths) and mistletoe (for holiday decorations) with glycerin, giving them a very natural appearance. Many people like to preserve the flowers from a wedding bouquet.
Preserving flowers and foliage can be fun year round. Some of the more common methods employed to preserve flowers and foliage are covered below. (08/01/2007)
By lewis_admin
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