Anisha Riggs
Flowers are a beautiful part of nature, and their fragrance can evoke a range of emotions and memories. Preserving flower fragrance allows us to capture a piece of that beauty and enjoy it long after the flowers have wilted. There are several methods to achieve this, each with its own unique process and outcome. From drying flowers to extraction techniques using oils or alcohol, the options are varied. The choice of method depends on the desired result, be it a fragrant reminder in a pocket or a stunning display of dried blossoms. This introduction will explore the various ways to preserve flower fragrance, providing a guide to help you select the best method to capture your favourite floral scents.
Characteristics and Values for Preserving Flower Fragrance
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Extraction Method | Enfleurage, Oil Infusion, Alcohol Infusion, Air-Drying, Microwave Drying, Pressing |
| Preservation Method | Hairspray, Acrylic Sealant, Resin, Silica Gel, Wax |
| Materials | Flowers, Oil, Alcohol, Jars, Strainer, Spoon, Silica Gel, Acrylic Spray, Epoxy Resin, Books, Paper Towels, Microwave-Safe Container |
| Process Time | 24 hours to several days, depending on method |
| Resulting Product | Flower-scented oil, perfume, potpourri, dried flowers for display or craft |
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What You'll Learn
Using oil to extract fragrance
There are several variations of the enfleurage method. One involves spreading a layer of fat (animal fat or solid plant oil, such as coconut oil) on a plate of glass. Place the flower petals on top of the fat, ensuring they are close together but not touching. Cover with a glass pane and leave in the sun. Replace the petals with fresh ones daily, for up to twelve changes of flowers. After about a month, scrape the fat from the glass as a waxy enfleurage pomade.
Another method is steam distillation, which involves passing steam through fresh plant material for over an hour. The steam is then cooled, and the water and oil separate, with the oil appearing at the top. This top layer is then bottled as an essential oil.
It is important to note that extracting fragrance from flowers is not dangerous. However, you should not eat any part of the flower oil at any stage of the process, and any equipment used should be washed before being used for cooking.
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Preserving flowers with resin
Drying the Flowers
Before preserving flowers in resin, it is crucial to ensure they are completely dry. Fresh flowers will rot and change colour if there is any remaining moisture. There are several methods to dry flowers:
- The traditional method involves placing the flowers between parchment paper within the pages of a heavy book. Leave them pressed for about a week.
- Another popular technique is using silica gel. Place the flowers in a sealed container with silica gel desiccant for a few days to a couple of weeks. This method preserves the 3D form of the flowers.
- For a quicker option, you can use a microwave to speed up the drying process.
Preparing the Resin
When working with resin, safety should be a top priority. Always wear a respirator with filters for organic vapours, nitrile gloves, and goggles to protect yourself from chemicals. Ensure you are working in a well-ventilated area.
To prepare the resin, you will need a high-quality casting resin and a hardener. Different brands and types of resin require varying ratios of resin to hardener, so check the instructions carefully. Mix the resin and hardener separately in two cups before combining them. For a bubble-free vase, use a deep pour epoxy resin, which has a fluid consistency that allows bubbles to rise to the surface quickly.
Mould Preparation
Use a silicone mould for shaping your vase or decorative piece. Mist the mould with a light layer of resin mould release to facilitate demoulding and protect against micro-tears. Insert the plug into the top centre of the mould, which will be removed after the resin cures. Cover the mould with a plastic container to prevent dust, hair, and other contaminants from settling on the resin.
Arranging the Flowers
Before pouring the resin into the mould, arrange the flowers to your liking. Use tweezers or a mixing stick to ensure proper placement. When working with dried flowers, they may float to the top, so it is best to create the piece in two layers. First, place the flowers, then fill the mould with resin.
Curing the Resin
Resin typically takes a long time to cure, at least 48 hours and sometimes up to three days for deep pour epoxy. During this time, use a heat gun or torch to pop any bubbles that form. Temperature is critical, so ensure your environment matches the temperature specified on the resin bottle.
Once the resin has cured, carefully peel the silicone away from the cured surface. If necessary, add soapy water to the mould to lubricate the resin and facilitate the removal process.
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Using alcohol to extract fragrance
Firstly, you will need to collect the petals from your chosen flowers. It is important to only keep the fragrant parts of the petals, so be sure to remove any non-fragrant portions. If you are working with larger petals, such as those from roses or gardenias, it is recommended to rough-chop them into smaller pieces. For smaller petals, like those of lilacs, chopping may not be necessary.
Once you have prepared your petals, place them into a jar or any container with an airtight lid. The next step is to cover the petals with alcohol. It is recommended to use a high-proof alcohol, such as 190-proof grain alcohol, for the best results. Ensure that you use an alcohol that does not contain sugars, as these can damage the flowers. Close the jar tightly and give it a gentle swirl to mix the contents.
Place the jar in a cool spot and let the petals infuse the alcohol. You can leave them for a few hours or even overnight. The longer you leave the petals in the alcohol, the more fragrance they will release. However, leaving them too long may not result in a stronger scent, and it could draw out other properties of the petals, so be mindful of the timing.
Finally, strain the petals from the alcohol solution, retaining only the liquid portion. You can now add more petals to the alcohol if you wish to create a more concentrated fragrance or experiment with different petals to create unique scent combinations. This process will result in a floral perfume that you can use or store as desired.
This method of fragrance extraction is a fun and rewarding way to capture the essence of your favourite flowers and create a personalised perfume.
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Drying flowers
Air Drying
Air drying is the most traditional method of drying flowers. It works best for bouquets and robust flowers such as roses, or small, long-lasting varieties like lavender. To air-dry flowers, you'll need scissors, string, or a rubber band, and a dark, dry place to hang them. First, separate your flowers by type, keeping the same species bundled together. Larger flowers should be individually dried. Remove all leaves and foliage from the stems and cut them to the desired length. Limit your bundles to about three stems, and use a rubber band or twine to hold the stems together firmly. Hang the flowers upside down and allow them to dry for two to four weeks.
Microwave Drying
Microwave drying is a faster alternative to air drying. It is best for large and colourful individual flowers such as gerbera daisies, chrysanthemums, and tulips. You will need a microwave-safe container that will fit your flowers, as well as silica gel to help preserve the shape of the flowers. Place an inch of silica gel at the bottom of the container, then place the flowers blossom-up in the gel. Pour more silica gel over the flowers until they are fully covered. Place the uncovered container in the microwave and heat in short bursts, checking the progress every 30 seconds. Stop when the flowers are dry, then cover the container and let it sit for a few minutes before opening it. Leave the container undisturbed for 24 hours, then brush away the silica gel from the petals.
Desiccant Method
The desiccant method involves submerging your flowers in a bed of desiccant such as silica gel or kitty litter and letting them sit for a few weeks to remove their moisture. This method is slower than microwave drying but can preserve the colour of the flowers more effectively.
Baking
Baking your flowers is a quick method of drying them, but you may lose a lot of petals in the process, and it is not the best for preserving their colour. Put your flowers in the oven at a low temperature and bake them for a couple of hours.
Pressing
Pressing is an effective way to dry flowers for crafts, artwork, or stationery. It involves using heavy objects to squeeze the moisture out of the flowers. You can press flowers in a book, or you can use a flower press if you plan to press a lot of flowers. Start with the freshest flowers possible, and place them in a book or press for a few weeks. If you want to speed up the process, you can microwave the book in short bursts of 30 seconds until the flowers are almost pressed, then add another book on top for extra weight and wait a few hours.
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Pressing flowers
- Choose the right flowers: Select flowers that are fresh and recently picked, as they retain their colour and shape better during the pressing process. Opt for flowers that are close to full bloom and free from blemishes or dark spots. Small, flat flowers with a single layer of petals, such as daisies, pansies, asters, violas, and violets, are ideal for pressing. Other flowers like roses, carnations, and lilies can also be pressed, but you may need to remove the petals or leaves first. Avoid flowers with fleshy, water-rich petals, such as begonias and portulaca, as they may be prone to mould or scorch when pressed.
- Prepare your flowers: Trim the stems and soak them in cold water for a few hours to ensure they are well-hydrated and in optimal condition for pressing. If you plan to press the flowers with their stems attached, make sure the stems are fully dry before proceeding.
- Gather your materials: You will need a thick book (such as a large atlas or textbook), baking paper or parchment paper, and absorbent sheets of paper (such as watercolour paper or cardstock).
- Press the flowers: Open the book about a quarter to halfway. Place the absorbent sheets of paper on the book's pages. Position the flowers face down on the parchment paper and lay it on top of the absorbent paper. Place another sheet of absorbent paper on top of the flowers. Carefully close the book and place more books on top to weigh it down. Leave the flowers to press for 3 to 4 weeks in a safe place.
- Display your pressed flowers: Once your flowers are pressed and preserved, you can create beautiful displays. You can frame your pressed flowers, create bookmarks, jewellery, or home decor items, or even combine them with aromatic oils to create homemade potpourri.
In addition to the traditional book press method, you can also use a DIY wooden press or a microwave to press flowers. These alternative methods offer convenience and quality, especially if you are in a time crunch.
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Frequently asked questions
First, remove the petals from the flowers, retaining only the fragrant petal portions. Chop the petals and place them into a jar. Next, add a known volume of oil, such as olive oil, corn oil, sesame oil, or babassu oil, to the petals. Cover the petals with oil, seal the jar, and leave it in a dark place for 24 hours. After 24 hours, strain the petals and collect the oil in a separate container.
Remove the petals from the flowers and place them in a jar. Cover the petals with a high-proof alcohol, close the jar, and swish it gently. Place the jar in a cool spot and strain the petals after a few hours or the next day. Retain the alcohol and add more petals until you reach your desired fragrance level.
Trim the stems from the flowers, leaving about one inch of stem attached to the blossoms. Place the flowers in a microwave-safe container with silica gel, ensuring the blossoms face upward. Cover the flowers completely with silica gel and place the container in the microwave. Microwave on a low setting for two to five minutes. Once the flowers are dry, remove them from the silica gel and spray them with an acrylic spray to preserve their shape and colour.
You can air-dry flowers by hanging them upside down in small bunches in a cool, dry place. Flowers are typically dry when they feel slightly brittle. Alternatively, you can press flowers by placing them within the pages of a heavy book. For best results, start with fresh flowers that are free from moisture.
Popular flowers for fragrance preservation include roses, lilies, lilacs, jasmine, gardenias, carnations, and lavender.
