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How are leaves dried?

Fresh leaves turn into durable specimens when they are deprived of oxygen and moisture. The water contained in the leaf cells must leave them completely, otherwise it is an invitation to mold.

Absorbent material such as newspaper or kitchen paper supports the drying process by absorbing the desecrating moisture. It comes under as well as over the material to be dried.

If flat sheets are needed as a decorative material for greeting cards or for a herbarium, they must be pressed.

There are several ways to reach the dry target

Leaves are very thin and therefore easy to dry. You can patiently let the time do its work or actively shape the drying process. The following drying methods can be considered:

• Press leaves
• air dry
• Iron away moisture
• Microwave drying
• Drying with dry salt

Press leaves

In this case, pressing means putting a lot of weight on the leaves. The pressure applied will keep them flat and dry over time. Pressing between two pages of a book is well known, but it also works like this:

1. Spread a kitchen towel on a level surface.
2. Spread the leaves on top.
3. Cover the leaves with another kitchen towel.
4. Place a large wooden board over it and place additional weights on top of it.

Air dry

Whole shoots can be tied together in bunches and hung upside down to dry. Individual leaves can be spread out on a kitchen towel and left to air dry. If this is done in a dark place, even many color particles can be obtained.

Iron away moisture

A hot iron allows water to evaporate quickly. Of course, the integrated steam function is annoying here and has to be switched off.

1. Pat dry the wet leaves first.
2. Place them between two layers of wax paper.
3. Iron over it for several minutes. The thicker the leaves, the longer.
4. Turn the sheets over and iron them for another minute.
5. Repeat the process until the leaves are completely dry.

Leaves dried in this way retain their natural color.

Microwave drying

This method allows for quick drying, but the leaves may curl up or down. charred quickly. This also applies to drying in the oven at 50 degrees Celsius.

• Put kitchen paper underneath
• Place a cup of cold water with it
• to absorb excess energy
• test the optimal performance and time
• start with 10 seconds
• Repeat the process if necessary

Drying with dry salt

Dry salt is available in hardware stores and is ideal for drying leaves. Alternatively, normal table salt, cat litter and detergent are also suitable.

• Layer the leaves alternately with dry salt
• in a lockable glass container
• the first and last layer consists of dry salt