The drying methods remove the color from the leaves.To keep the colors of your leaves as close to their original shade as possible, you will need to seal the leaves with wax, remove the humidity, or replace it with glycerin.The best way to do this is with wax, but it will leave the leaves in a thick, shiny texture.The easiest way to dry leaves is in borax.It's labor intensive and the shades of green may become darker, but soaking leaves in glycerin is a great way to preserve colors.You should choose a method based on how much time you have and what kind of texture you are trying to achieve.
Step 1: You can iron your leaves between sheets of wax paper.
A sheet of wax paper is placed on top of a pillowcase on a table.Put a second layer of wax paper on top of your leaves.Place a second pillowcase over the wax paper.Put an iron to low heat and run it across your leaves for a few minutes.The best way to preserve the colors of a leaf is through this method.The texture will change dramatically.The leaves will have a reflective texture after the wax dries on them.
Step 2: You can use a double boiler to melt the wax for your leaves.
Depending on the size of your leaves, you will need between 15 and 14 grams of wax to coat them.Cut a small block of wax from a larger piece and place it in the center of your double boiler's upper pot.The double boiler can be heated over medium heat.If you don't have a double boiler, fill a pot with water.Place a large glass bowl on top of the pot to prevent it from touching the water.If you are preserving 3 leaves, you should have plenty of wax.You can adjust the amount of wax you use.The result will be the same regardless of the type of wax you use.
Step 3: Set the upper pot on a cloth after removing it from the double boiler.
A towel is placed on a work surface.Put the bowl of melted wax on top of the towel.Next to the towel, place your leaves on top of a sheet of wax paper.
Step 4: To dunk the leaves in your wax, use a pair of pliers.
Use needle-nose pliers to grab your first leaf.The leaf should be dunked in the wax for 1-2 seconds.Take the stem out of the wax and submerge it.If you melted a small amount of wax, you should be able to coat both sides of the leaf.
Step 5: Take the leaves to wax paper and let them dry.
Put your first leaf over the top of the wax paper.The leaf should be put on the wax paper.If you want to preserve every leaf, you need to dip it in the wax and set it out.Wait for your leaves to dry.If you prefer, you can hang the stems from clothespins.If you want it to be thoroughly protected, you can add another layer of glycerin.
Step 6: Combine 1 part borax with 2 parts white or yellow.
Add 1 part pure powdered borax and 2 parts white or yellow cornmeal to a glass bowl and stir them with a wooden spoon.To completely cover your leaves, you need enough of this mixture.You must cover your leaves with this mixture.If you only want to preserve a few leaves, you can use 1/2 cup (65 g) of borax and 1 cup (130 g).Depending on the number of leaves and the shape of your container, adjust your measurements.There's a grocery store that sells cornmeal and borax.Laundry detergents have a cleaning agent called borax in them.The method works best with bright flowers and leaves.Green plant matter will become duller as a result of this process.It doesn't matter if you use white or yellow.
Step 7: Attach your mixture of borax to the bottom of the glass pan or paper box.
A big cardboard box or glass pan is enough to hold your leaves.Use a ladle or large spoon to pour the borax mixture.To create a level base, spread the mixture out with the flat bottom of your spoon or ladle.
Step 8: If you want to preserve the leaves, add them to the top of the borax.
Take your leaves and place them on top of the borax.You should spread out your leaves so that they don't overlap.To pick up individual leaves, use needle-nose pliers.You should be fine if the leaf is surrounded by the borax.
Step 9: The leaves should be covered completely with another layer of borax.
Add another layer of borax with your spoon or ladle.Once the leaves are completely covered, pour the borax and cornmeal over them.If you are drying a lot of leaves you can create multiple layers.You can put a few leaves on the first layer, cover them, and then add another layer of leaves.
Step 10: The leaves should be put in the mixture for 2 weeks.
Allow the box or pan to sit.Wait at least 2 weeks for the leaves to dry out.The leaves won't get a lot of color out without the help of the cornmeal and borax.Remove the leaves with a spoon after 2 weeks.
Step 11: 2 parts warm water and 1 part glycerin.
Put your glycerin in a pitcher or bowl.Warm water can be added to the pitcher or bowl.Use a spoon or stick to mix the water and glycerin.The mixture will be cloudy at first.When the cloudiness disappears, the water and glycerin become completely clear.If you want to preserve more than 10 leaves, you need about 1 cup of glycerin and 2 cups of water.Some larger pharmacies may carry it, but you can buy it online.It is used in skin care products and food.This method is the most labor intensive.It's a great way to keep the texture and colors.Green shades are likely to change colors using this method.
Step 12: The container should be filled halfway with the mixture.
A plastic container is a good place to store food.It does not need to be disposable, but it can be difficult to clean.Some restaurants have plastic to-go containers that are perfect for this.Go into the empty container with water and glycerin.It is possible to use a glass container, but you will need to clean it after you are done.An oily residual is left behind by Glycerin.
Step 13: Use garden shears or clippers to cut the stem of your leaves.
If you want your leaves to be as long as possible, trim them at the stem.Cut the last 0.25 inches of the stem off if there isn't much left.The glycerin will be able to enter the leaf with this wound.The process will not work if you do not cut the stem.
Step 14: Drop your leaves into a liquid.
Take your leaves and put them on top of glycerin.The leaves should be gently pressed into the glycerin by using a mixing stick or spoon.To make sure they are covered, push them down 0.5–1 in.
Step 15: If the leaves don't stay submerged, weigh them down.
If your leaves don't stay under the surface of the mixture, grab a plastic lid.Put the lid on the leaves and use small rocks or pebbles to weigh it down.The leaves will not pop back up.
Step 16: For at least 24 hours, leave your leaves in the glycerin.
The more effective this process is, the longer you leave the leaves in the glycerin.The longer the leaves are wet, the more likely they are to change color.If you want to preserve the leaves without damaging them, soak them for at least 24 hours and no longer than 2 weeks.The leaves should be kept in a dark area to prevent the sun from coloring them.
Step 17: You can flatten your leaves with paper towels.
Remove your leaves by gently lifting the stems out with your pliers and putting them on a dry paper towel.There is another paper towel on top of the leaves.Set the towels between the panes of glass or the pages of a book to flatten the leaves.Put a heavy object on top of the glass or book and leave it there for 3-6 days to flatten out the leaves and dry them off.