How to Preserve Flowers With Glycerine
There are several ways to preserve your favorite flowers, one of which is submersing the stems in a solution of glycerine. Flowers preserved this way are supple and very long-lasting.
Instructions
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1
Buy liquid glycerine made especially for preserving flowers and foliage at a crafts store or on the Internet.
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2
Cut mature flowers from your garden. Tender new growth will not absorb the glycerine.
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3
Harvest the flowers in the morning hours, after the dew has evaporated off the petals and foliage.
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4
Wipe away any dust or dirt from the surfaces and remove any imperfect leaves, petals or stems.
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5
Crush the stems 2 inches up from the cut end using a hammer or the handle end of your clippers.
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Heat the liquid glycerine to 130 to 140 degrees F in a microwave oven or in a double boiler. Leave the preservative in the original wide-mouth bottle.
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Insert the cut stems into the container of glycerine. Allow them to remain in the solution for up to three weeks.
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Submerge small flowers such as pansies and violets in a heatproof container of warm glycerine.
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Watch the flowers carefully for changes in coloring and darkening of the veins. Remove from the preserver when the petals are supple and there is no sign of brittleness.
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Tips & Warnings
Stiff, waxy-type flowers with sturdy stems are the best type to preserve with glycerine; roses, hydrangeas, statice and straw flowers will last a long time when preserved this way.
The color will change. Spray-paint the blooms once they have dried if you choose.
Remove dust from preserved flowers occasionally with a soft cloth or a feather duster.
