Flower pressing, a revered art form that captures the ephemeral beauty of fresh blooms in two dimensions, relies fundamentally on strategic selection and precise harvesting to ensure long-lasting color and structural integrity, according to seasoned floristry experts. Success in this delicate craft hinges on utilizing flowers with inherent characteristics conducive to rapid, even dehydration, minimizing the risk of moisture retention, discoloration, and mold.
Choosing the Right Candidates for Preservation
The effectiveness of pressing is directly correlated with a flower’s physical composition. Ideal pressing specimens are characterized by naturally flat surfaces, thin petals, and minimal moisture content. These traits allow the plant material to dry quickly and uniformly under pressure. Enthusiasts should prioritize single-layer blooms over bulky, multi-petaled varieties, which often trap water and may decompose before fully drying.
Several species stand out as exceptional choices for both novices and experienced pressers:
- Pansies and Violas: Cited as highly reliable, their flat shape and thin texture perfectly conserve vibrant hues of purple, yellow, and orange.
- Cosmos: Their simple, papery petals dry into delicate, translucent forms, with colors from white to deep magenta holding up reliably.
- Daisies and Black-Eyed Susans: These symmetrical blooms are considered foolproof for beginners. Experts recommend removing the thick central cone of larger varieties or pressing it separately for optimal flatness.
- Larkspur and Delphinium: These are crucial for capturing elusive blues and purples. Their small florets can be pressed individually or while still attached to a slender stem.
- Everlasting Varieties: Flowers such as Statice, Verbena, and Baby’s Breath naturally retain color and form, making them nearly automatic successes for drying.
While some popular flowers pose challenges, they can be managed with specific techniques. Roses, for instance, should be harvested just as the bud begins to unfurl, and individual petals should be detached from the bulky hip for separate pressing.
Avoiding Moisture-Rich Varieties
Conversely, flowers with significant bulk or high internal water content are ill-suited for pressing. Thick, fleshy blooms like daffodils, tulips, and lilies contain excessive moisture, leading to browning or mold growth. Heavily layered flowers, including peonies and carnations, are also typically avoided unless the presser opts to painstakingly separate and flatten individual petals. Succulents, due to their inherent water storage capacity, should never be used.
Optimizing Harvest Timing
The timing of the harvest is as crucial as the selection. Blooms should be collected mid-morning, after any overnight dew has evaporated but before the intense afternoon heat causes wilting. Flowers should be picked slightly before their absolute peak; they will continue to open marginally during the pressing process. Selecting only perfect specimens, free from any tears, blemishes, or pest damage, ensures the most vivid final results.
Best Practices for Pressing and Longevity
Traditional methods, such as utilizing a heavy book with absorbent paper (like blotting paper or coffee filters), remain effective for many flowers. For faster, more consistent results, mechanical presses with even pressure distribution are recommended. A critical step in both methods is to change the absorbent papers frequently, especially during the initial days, to wick away released moisture and prevent mold formation.
To ensure the long-term preservation of the collected specimens, experts urge pressers to dry and store them away from direct sunlight and humidity. Colors, particularly blues and purples, are susceptible to fading over extended periods, necessitating the finished work be mounted or stored in a dark, dry environment using acid-free materials.
Beyond the blooms themselves, botanical pressers are encouraged to incorporate structural elements like ferns, grasses, and fine-textured leaves. Fern fronds and Queen Anne’s Lace, for example, dry quickly and add essential texture and contrast to framed arrangements, expanding the possibilities for creative botanical artwork.