Drying and pressing
With dry preservation, water is withdrawn from the plant so that the plant parts no longer rot. The faster the drying process is completed, the better the result. Your collected flowers will keep as much of their color pigments as possible if they get into the plant press quickly. If the plant materials dry too slowly, the color of the petals changes significantly and leaves can fall off.
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Why plants need to be pressed
The loss of water causes the plant tissue to shrink, so that its shape and structure change. The leaves curl up and look shriveled. This change in shape is counteracted by the pressing process between absorbent materials. At the same time, the water can be drawn out of the tissue faster.
Build a plant press
In practice, a flower press has proven to be the optimal drying method. The flowers are placed between white paper, kitchen roll sheets or paper towels. For better stability, place the material with the plants on corrugated cardboard. So you can layer several layers.
building instructions
You need two pressboard panels in size A4 to A3. In between, place the layered plant material. Be sure to cut the corrugated cardboard and paper to the dimensions of the press beforehand. Alternatively, you can use a metal grille instead of the chipboard. Tie several straps or belts around the scaffolding so that pressure is built up.
Tips
Poke holes in the corrugated cardboard. This enables better air circulation so that moisture is optimally drawn off.
Planting plants
Clean your harvest of earth residues and place them as naturally as possible on the absorbent surface. There are no limits to your imagination. Note that the shapes cannot be changed afterwards.
Notes on collecting
Plant species that are under nature protection may not be picked. This includes species that are classified as endangered and are therefore on the red list. If in doubt, leave the species standing as a precaution and use plants that you know.
It is not allowed to collect here:
- Nature reserves
- other protected biotopes
- Private properties, except with consent
Regardless of the risk, you should also check the flower population in the eye to have. If you stick to the orientation value 1:20, you are on the safe side. This means that if you have 20 specimens, you can pick a plant. This way you do not destroy any isolating plant stands.
Which plants collect?
You can be picky about picking. The fresher and more intact the flowers are, the more beautiful the result will be in the end. Leave specimens that have been eaten by insects, are in poor condition, or have cracks in the leaves.