Press drying
The least simple way to obtain a herbarium, which is also called cold drying. Leaves with flowers are placed between the leaves of a book or paper towels. A press is placed on top. The book is used when they want to obtain a herbarium of small plants and in small quantities. In other cases, it is advisable to take a paper towel.
The blanks are ready for use within a week. When paper towels are used, they are changed daily. Often, if you overexpose flowers under pressure, they become too fragile. A solution prepared from PVA and water, taken in proportions 1:4, can correct the situation. Flowers and leaves for fakes and garlands can be dried without using a press. They can simply be laid out on paper and then carefully straightened out. If you plan to use the herbarium to create beautiful panels or paintings, a press is required. It is better to use a special one, which you can buy at a craft store or make yourself.
Absorbent cotton wool - an alternative to bulk substances
Flower petals are perfectly preserved when dried with absorbent cotton wool. Pieces of this material are placed between the petals. They must be separated from each other. The cotton wool must be placed carefully. Otherwise, the flower may be damaged and the petals will begin to fall off. Flowers are hung by the stems. Unlike creating a flower herbarium using bulk materials, you need to cut the plant completely. There is no need to separate the inflorescences from the stems. The flower heads take about 5-6 days to dry. Remove the plants a little later, when the stems are completely dry.
How to preserve the color of a herbarium?
