Flower Preservation

HISTORY OF FLOWER PRESERVATION
Preserving flowers dates back to earliest recorded history, although deliberate flower preservation is a more recent phenomenon. The bones of a prehistoric man discovered in the Middle East, was found with a mantle of delicate wild flowers, a small tribute to a passing loved one. The pollen grains that remained indicated the specific flowers that were used. Also, flowers have been found in Egyptian tombs nearly 4,000 years later, still with their colors bright and vivid. Since time immemorial flowers and plants have supplied us with food, medicine and adornment. Each civilization developed their own interpretation of flowers. 

In the Middle Ages small bunches of herbs and flowers (called  “tussie-mussies”), were carried everywhere to ward off disease and disagreeable odors. According to medieval logic they believed that a plant’s physical characteristics resembled the body or disease that it cured. For instance, a dandelion, with its milky sap, was good for nursing mothers. Thus the language of herbs was created and became popular, with herbs curing emotions such as catnip in relieving stress, sage giving wisdom, and mint providing refreshment. 

In the sixteenth century medicinal nosegays began to give way to ornamental ones. Flowers started to be used for decorative purposes such as jewels, fans and gloves. Flowers became essential to a fashionable appearance. When the Elizabethan Age was coming to a close, the ruff was replaced by soft lacy collars, and low cut necklines became the trend, bosom flowers became popular with their sensual connotations. It was also in vogue for both sexes to carry nosegays, of herbs and flowers. 

Out of the Victorian era grew the fascination of communicating with flowers carried in the nosegays. The idea of the Language of Flowers developed, when it was decided that giving and receiving a bouquets of flowers, when the flowers themselves carry a meaning, gives much greater pleasure. The “talking bouquet” became a craze. The circular nosegay with its fragrant herbs and flowers transformed society by carrying messages of love, condolence, good luck, or a variety of other sentiments. The symbolic Language of Flowers inspired fashion, romance, customs and commerce. 
 
THE SCIENCE OF FLOWER PRESERVATION
Flowers in addition to being important in fashion and literature, made great scientific advances. Preserving flowers by pressing them became desired. Hundreds of new plants were introduced to Europe from the New World and Asia by plant hunters and explorers.
 
One of the earliest methods of preserving flowers is by drying. Many plants retain their shape and color when air-dried naturally. It is important to pick the flowers around mid-morning when the dew is dry and before the sun gets too hot. The easiest method for drying flowers is to hang them upside down in a dark dry room. Hanging the flowers upside down enables the stems to remain straight. Bunch the flowers together according to type, i.e. roses, tulips, lilies, and label each bunch with type and date. Good air circulation is important in the room, also, allowing plenty of space between each bunch of flowers helps them dry quicker and there less chance for the flowers to develop mold. Hanging the flowers on hooks or wiring them on to coat hangers are both good methods of hanging. Leave the flower bunches hanging at least two weeks to ensure the drying process is complete. 
 
PRESSING YOUR FLOWERS
Another method of preserving flowers is by pressing them. Pressing flowers dates back to Victorian times. Entire Alpine flora has been preserved; and old herbaria from all parts of the world are still in existence. 
 
Old telephone books work the best for this process. Blotting paper also helps in retaining the color in the blossoms. Pick the flowers when they are completely dry and are in prime condition. 
 
Carefully place the flowers on a single sheet of blotting paper. Do not use wax paper. When pressing roses or carnations, an alternative is to take them apart and press each petal individually. Arrange the petals on the paper so they do not touch one another, having only six to eight petals per page.
 
Cover with a second sheet of blotting paper, with the flowers, and or petals, sandwiched in-between. Place the blotting paper, with the spaciously arranged petals, in a phone book, making sure the petals are not overlapping. Several pieces of blotting paper, with flowers, may be positioned in the phone book, leaving at least one inch between the pages. If a single flower is left whole on the page, there should be only one or two in the entire phone book. The phone book should be labeled with the date and type of flowers. There should not be a great amount of pressure on top of the books. The flowers dry better if circulating air is able to flow into the pages. The flowers should be left in the phone book a minimum of three to four weeks. The results are striking. 

WHICH FLOWERS CAN BE BEST PRESERVED?
Flowers that work best when taken apart and pressed petal by petal are: roses, tulips, carnations, iris and lilies. Attach the pressed flowers with a glue, that when dries, is clear and does not yellow with age. When taken apart, the flower petals, and whole flowers can then be arranged to make beautiful works of art for stationery, Christmas cards, boxes and trays, When creating wall hangings or small framed pictures use only acid free mat board, and frame with a complementary wood frame. 
 
In most instances, the presser wants to preserve a flower associated with a special occasion, however, it can also be a remembrance of special moments from travels, or an inspiring gift for a friend. This is a relaxing and comforting pastime. In addition to creating a beautiful work of art that is unique only to the artist, it is said to be nourishing food for the soul.