How to dry leaves for crafts. How to dry herbarium leaves

Autumn is a unique time! So many natural material for creativity does not give any of the seasons. Bright, juicy colors pleasing to the eye and help to forget that the summer is over, and the cold is approaching.

How to smooth out autumn leaves will be discussed in this article.

Read this article:

How should I choose leaves for ironing?
The traditional method of preserving leaves
Ironing the leaves with an iron
Should I iron the leaves at all?
The use of dried leaves in the herbarium

How to choose the right leaves?

How to iron leaves with a herbarium iron? Before starting work, they need to be chosen correctly - the leaves should be stored for as long as possible, without losing their natural brightness and attractiveness.

The traditional way to preserve autumn leaves

Since childhood, each of us has been familiar with the method of drying the collected foliage - put copies between the pages of a thick book and press down on top with a press. Very often the role of the press was played by the Great Soviet Encyclopedia. When choosing this method of smoothing the leaves, it is important to remember that due to the moisture contained in the foliage, the pages of the book can go “waves”, so an old book that is unsuitable for reading is suitable for use. To make the leaves dry faster, between them and the pages you need to lay paper napkins. But it is better to use newspapers or sheets of paper to dry the foliage. The process of smoothing the leaves will take place in several stages:

Freshly picked autumn leaves should be placed in one row between thick sheets of printed paper or newspapers folded several times. So that the copies do not stick together, you need to place them at a distance from each other.
Press the leaves on top with a load. For these purposes, you can use several thick books.
After a couple of weeks, you need to check the condition of the leaves. If they are not dry enough, you need to leave them under pressure for a while.

This method helps to smooth the leaves, but does not guarantee color retention. As a rule, specimens dried in this way lose their juiciness and natural brightness of shades. Also this way very long, and not suitable for those in a hurry. But, compared to quick methods of smoothing foliage, this option is more gentle, does not affect the structure of the leaves and prolongs their use.

Helpful Hints

Our article will tell you how to properly iron linen, cotton and other natural fabrics in order to iron them with high quality and not damage them? Our article will help you quickly carry out the work - the result will be no worse than in the workshop.

A wedding dress is the favorite of every girl, because it brings back the most pleasant memories. But how to properly iron such a thing, because the fabric from which the dress is made is particularly delicate. Learn how to properly iron your clothes here.

How to iron leaves off trees

If leaves for a herbarium or crafts are urgently needed and there is no time to wait, an iron will come to the rescue. This quick method for smoothing foliage keeps the foliage vibrant and natural, and saves time. It is necessary to cover a leaf from a tree with paper and iron it on medium temperature until it dries. This is fast way but not durable.

But what if, in addition to the brightness of the color, you need to extend the life of the foliage?

To keep the leaves juicy shades, and at the same time did not become brittle and brittle, they can be “sealed” in wax with an iron. Consider this method using the example of maple leaves, which are most often used for creativity.

This method is suitable for fresh maple leaves that have fallen recently and have not yet had time to fade. Sequencing:

Before ironing Maple leaves, it is necessary to rinse them from dust and dirt, and then dry them with paper napkins.

Lay the leaves between two sheets of wax paper. Leaves must be placed at a distance from each other. Between the surface of the iron and top layer paper needs to be laid another layer, for example, kitchen towel. It conducts heat very well, so the wax paper will not melt. Another layer of fabric should be placed between the ironing surface and the lower waxed sheet so as not to stain the board with wax.

Heat the iron to maximum temperature and iron the maple leaves properly on both sides. As a rule, it takes 3 to 5 minutes to iron each side. Periodically, you need to lift the fabric to check if the wax paper has stuck together.

After the sheet has cooled, you need to carefully cut it along the contour, making small indents from the edges so that the paper seals the edges of the sheet. You can carefully peel off the paper layers on both sides of the leaf. It will remain on it thin layer wax to protect the specimen.

Important! Before ironing, make sure that the steamer is turned off, otherwise the sheet will absorb moisture again.

How to iron leaves for a herbarium and is it worth it?

The herbarium is the oldest and in the most famous way collecting plants. To create it, a careful effect on the plant is necessary so that it lasts as long as possible, and at the same time does not lose its attractive appearance.

Most often, the foliage for the herbarium is dried under pressure. But to speed up the process, you can use a combined method. First you need to dry the plant. To do this, it must be placed under the load, having previously laid several newspapers. Newspapers absorb excess moisture, they must be changed periodically so that rot does not appear on the leaves. After a couple of days, you need to dry the plant with an iron.

Before ironing the leaves, they must be placed between several layers of porous paper. It is not recommended to immediately use an iron for a herbarium - the leaves will become very thin, fragile and translucent, such a herbarium will become unsuitable for long-term use. The combined method will allow you to preserve the color of the herbarium, while not damaging the structure of the leaves.

Not all housewives know how to iron leather and products made from this material: skirts, jackets, pants ... Let's learn how to iron so as not to damage the material when working with an iron.

But not all things can be ironed with an iron - some materials cannot be ironed at all. Let's learn how to iron clothes without an iron, and here you will find the most best advice on this topic.

How to use ironed leaves from trees?

Properly dried and smoothed leaves can be used both for scientific work as well as for creativity. Schoolchildren and students will certainly have to make a herbarium for a biology lesson or for term paper, and for kids, creating pictures from leaves develops diligence, perseverance, imaginative thinking and is an excellent finger game.

Dried leaves can be used for teaching small child the basics of botany. Dry foliage is widely used in the interior to create panels, collages, it can be used for complex techniques - scrapbooking, decoupage. From leaves slightly dried with an iron, you can create voluminous decorative compositions.

Conclusion on the article

Now you know how to stroke leaves from trees to create a herbarium. Properly selected and processed leaves will allow you to enjoy the autumn beauty for a long time. And although no method allows you to save plants forever, but next fall there will be new leaves that will give room for imagination and creativity, as well as fill the house with warmth and comfort.

The beauty of autumn leaves can be enjoyed not only in autumn. Some drying methods may result in leaf loss or discolouration. However, there are numerous ways to help preserve color and shape. long time. After reading this article, you will learn how to dry autumn leaves so that they delight you in the cold season, when the trees on the street are bare and unsightly.

Steps

Decoupage

Choose bright leaves. Collect freshly fallen, bright and enough soft leaves. The leaves may be slightly dry, but not to the point where they break or curl on the sides. Choose whole leaves. Avoid torn or slightly damaged leaves.

Cover the leaves with adhesive on both sides. For decoupage, a white adhesive is used, which becomes invisible when dried. You can buy an adhesive in a store that sells goods for creativity and needlework. Use a sponge brush to apply adhesive. Lay the leaves out to dry on a sheet of newspaper.

In most cases, decoupage should be done the same day the leaves were picked. If you delay this activity, the leaves will dry out, turn brown and brittle.
If the leaves are very damp, or if you have picked them directly from the tree without waiting for them to fall, they should be dried for a few days. To do this, put the leaves inside a large book.

Wait until the adhesive is completely dry. It should not stick to your fingers. On the leaves, it should also become completely transparent.

Repeat on the other side. Flip the leaves over and apply glue to them. When the second side is dry, the leaves are ready to use. This method allows you to keep the color and shape of the leaves for a long period of time.

Use of paraffin wax
1. Take fresh leaves. Collect freshly fallen bright leaves. Coating with paraffin wax will give the leaves a beautiful shine. Dry each sheet by wiping it with a paper towel before moving on to the next step.
  
  Melt the paraffin wax in disposable tableware. 450 g of paraffin wax should be melted in a disposable dish, heating it over low heat.
  - To melt paraffin wax faster, cut it into large pieces and spread them evenly across the bottom of a disposable dish.
  - If you don't have a disposable container to melt paraffin wax, grab a cake pan that you don't plan on using for cooking anymore. Wax can ruin the mold, so don't use the utensils you're cooking in.
2. Remove the melted wax from the stove. Be very careful as the melted wax is very hot. Place it carefully on your desktop. Be careful not to overturn the wax container. This is especially important to consider if you have pets or children in your home.
  
  Dip each leaf into the melted wax. Hold the leaf by the handle and dip it in the wax a few times. Make sure that both sides of the sheet are completely covered with wax. Do not bring your fingers close to hot wax, so as not to burn yourself. Repeat the above steps for the rest of the leaves.
  
  Lay the leaves out to dry. Lay each waxed sheet on waxed paper and leave in this position until the wax hardens. Let the leaves dry for several hours in a draught-free room. After the leaves have dried, they should peel off the paper with little effort. Thanks to this method, the shape and color of the leaves are preserved for a very long time.
  - To be on the safe side, line your worktop with newspaper before laying down some wax paper. Thanks to this, the wax will not fall on the worktable. If the wax gets on the table, it will be very difficult to remove.
Use of glycerin
1. Choose fresh leaves or a small twig with leaves. If you want to dry a whole branch with autumn leaves prefer this method. Choose a twig with leaves that are firmly attached to it.
  - This method may slightly change the color of the leaves. Yellows will become more saturated, reds and oranges will become more vibrant.
  - If possible, look for already fallen branches instead of plucking them from trees. Remember that such actions can harm the tree.
  - Do not take branches with diseased or frost-bitten leaves. This method will not bring the desired result if the leaves have been caught by frost.
2. Cut off the end of each branch. Beat the end of each branch with a hammer so that the fresh tree is visible. This should be done so that the branch absorbs glycerin better. Otherwise, it will not reach the leaves.
  - If you want to dry only the leaves, without the twig, you can skip this step.
3. Dilute the glycerin solution. It can be purchased at the store. To prepare the solution, mix 530 ml of liquid vegetable glycerin with 2 liters of water in a large container.
  - Glycerin is a natural substance derived from plants. This leaf storage process is environmentally friendly.
  - If you want to dry the leafy twigs, add four to five drops of dishwashing liquid. This makes it easier for the glycerin to penetrate the wood. For best results, use dishwashing liquid that is colorless and odorless. Alternatively, a liquid surfactant, available from a hardware store, can be used.
4. Place the twigs with leaves in the solution for three to five days. The twigs and leaves will need to soak up the glycerin for three to five days. Place the container with the solution and twigs in a dark place.
  
  Remove the twigs and leaves from the solution. The color of the leaves will become brighter. In addition, they will become more elastic. You can use the whole twig or individual leaves to make various fakes.
Using the microwave
1. Dry the leaves in microwave oven. Place the leaves in the microwave and heat them for 30 seconds. Then continue heating for 5 seconds.
  - Autumn leaves usually need to be heated for 30 to 180 seconds before they become completely dry.
  - Be very careful when you put the leaves in the microwave. If you leave them in the microwave for a long time, they may catch fire.
  - If the leaves look burnt, chances are you overcooked them in the microwave. If the leaves are curling around the edges, they probably haven't been in the microwave long enough.
2. Leave the leaves overnight. Place the leaves in a dark, draft-free place and leave them for at least a night and a maximum of 2 days. If you notice that the leaves begin to fade, they urgently need to be processed.
  
  Treat the leaves with acrylic spray. Leaves need to be processed on both sides. Wait for the leaves to dry. After that, they can be used to make fakes.
Use of the book
1. Place a heavy book on paper. To avoid stains on the book and work surface, place paper towels or toilet paper between a sheet of paper and a book. They absorb moisture from the leaves.
  
  You can also dry the leaves right in the book, but in this case, you should use only an old book, which will not be a pity, as stains may remain. Place the leaves between the pages of the book. For best results, place each sheet at least 20 pages apart.
  - Use the telephone directory if you have one.
  - Place a heavy object on top of the book. This will keep the leaves flat and dry. You can use other books, bricks, or any other heavy object.
2. Check the condition of the leaves after a week. They must be dry. If they are still not dry, continue drying for a few days.
Use of wax paper
1. Dry the leaves. Place dry leaves between two paper towels. Arrange the leaves in a single layer so that there is free space between them. Iron paper towels on each side. Iron each side for 3-5 minutes.
  - Drying the leaves ahead of time will help them retain their color and quality after covering the leaves with wax paper.
  - Do not use the steam function on the iron when drying leaves. The steam will return moisture to the leaves. Use the dry ironing function.
  - Feel the leaves after ironing them for 3 to 5 minutes. If the sheet is still not dry enough, iron it for a few more minutes on each side.

Despite the popularity of the popular nickname “bottle palm”, it is very difficult to confuse the authentic bottle palm giophorba with its relatives. A real indoor giant and enough rare plant, gioforba - it is one of the most elite palms. She became famous not only for her special, bottle-like barrel, but also for her very difficult character. Caring for giophorba is no more difficult than for ordinary ones. indoor palm trees. But the conditions will have to be chosen.

Surely, many of you have met this plant, at least as a component of some cosmetic or food products. It is “disguised” under different names: “jujube”, “unabi”, “jujuba”, “Chinese date”, but all this is one and the same plant. This is the name of a culture that has long been grown in China, moreover, it was grown as a medicinal one. From China, it was brought to the countries of the Mediterranean, and from there, jujube began to slowly spread throughout the world.

May chores in ornamental garden are always connected with the need to use every free minute as productively as possible. This month, seedlings of flowers are planted and begin seasonal decoration. But neither shrubs, nor lianas, nor trees should be forgotten. Due to imbalance lunar calendar this month from ornamental plants it is better to work in the beginning and middle of May. But the weather does not always allow you to follow the recommendations.

Why do people move out of town and buy cottages? For a variety of reasons, of course, including practical and material ones. But the main idea is still - to be closer to nature. The long-awaited summer season has already begun, we are waiting for a lot of work in the garden and garden. With this material we want to remind you and ourselves - in order for work to be a joy, you must not forget to rest. And what can be better rest on the fresh air? Only rest in the equipped corner of your own garden.

May brings not only long-awaited warmth, but also long-awaited opportunities to plant even heat-loving plants in the beds. This month, seedlings begin to be transferred to the soil, and crops reach their peak. For planting and new crops, it is important not to forget about other important chores. Indeed, not only beds, but also plants in greenhouses and seedlings, which this month are beginning to be actively hardened, need enhanced care. It is important to form plants in time.

Pie for Easter - home recipe simple sponge cake stuffed with nuts, candied fruits, figs, raisins and other goodies. The white icing that decorates the cake is made from white chocolate and butter, it won't crack, and it tastes like chocolate cream! If you don’t have the time or skills to mess around with yeast dough, then you can make these simple holiday pastries for the Easter table. Such a simple recipe, I think, will be mastered by any novice home pastry chef.

Thyme or thyme? And maybe thyme or bogorodskaya grass? How right? And it’s right in every way, because the same plant “passes” under these names, more precisely, one genus of plants from the Lamiaceae family. There are many other popular names associated with the amazing property of this shrub to highlight a large number of aromatic substances. Growing thyme and its use in garden design and cooking will be discussed in this article.

Favorite Saintpaulias have not only a special appearance, but also a very specific character. Growing this plant bears little resemblance to the classic care of indoor crops. And even relatives of the Uzambara violets from among the Gesnerievs require a slightly different approach. Watering is often called the "weirdest" care item for violets, which prefer non-standard watering to the classic method. But you will have to change the approach in fertilizing with fertilizers.

Savoy Cabbage Gratin - A Vegetarian Recipe for Delicious and healthy dish without meat, which can be cooked in fasting, as no animal products are used in its preparation. savoy cabbage- a close relative of the white cabbage, however, it surpasses the "relative" in taste, so dishes with this vegetable always turn out to be successful. If for some reason you do not like soy milk, then replace it with plain water.

At present, thanks to breeders, more than 2,000 varieties of large-fruited garden strawberries have been created. The very one that we habitually call "strawberries". garden strawberry arose as a result of the hybridization of Chilean and virgin strawberries. Every year, breeders never tire of surprising us with new varieties of this berry. Breeding is aimed at obtaining not only fruitful varieties resistant to diseases and pests, but also those with high taste and transportability.

Useful, hardy, unpretentious and easy to grow marigolds are irreplaceable. These letniki have long moved from city flower beds and classic flower beds to original compositions, decorated the beds and potted gardens. Marigolds with their easily recognizable yellow-orange-brown colors and even more inimitable aromas today are able to pleasantly surprise with their variety. Firstly, among the marigolds there are both tall and miniature plants.

The system of protection of fruit and berry plantations is based on the use of pesticides. However, if pesticides can be used for almost the entire period of protection of seed orchards growing season taking into account the waiting period for each drug, then in protection berry crops they can only be used before the phase of the beginning of flowering and after harvest. In this regard, the question arises which drugs should be used during this period to suppress pests and pathogens.

Our grandmothers, growing strawberries, or strawberries, as we used to call them, were not particularly worried about mulching. But today this agricultural practice has become fundamental in achieving High Quality berries and reduce crop losses. Some might say it's troublesome. But practice shows that labor costs in this case pay off handsomely. In this article, we invite you to get acquainted with the nine the best materials for mulching garden strawberries.

Lean salad with avocado - light vegetable salad, which is suitable for lean and vegetarian menus. This dish can also be included in the diet menu, however, if you decide to part with extra pounds at the waist, then reduce the amount olive oil in dressing and take only half an avocado. Prepare the salad just before serving - chopped fresh vegetables lose taste qualities, the salad will become "wet" and tasteless if stored for several hours.

Tatyana Zaichenko, Izhevsk: "I want to make winter bouquets from my flowers. Could you tell me how to dry the flowers correctly in order to preserve not only the shape, but also the color of the petals?"

There are several ways to preserve plants for a bouquet: in the air, in moisture-absorbing bulk materials, in glycerin, under a press and an iron.

Air drying

The most accessible and simple is air drying.

To do this, use a dry, dark, well-ventilated and cool room, but the air temperature should not be below 10 ° C. Depending on the size of the plants, drying lasts from 5 to 15 days.

Ears of cereal plants are easily dried and ornamental grass. They are harvested just before flowering or when they acquire a light straw color.

Tie in bundles of 5-10 pieces. At the same time, the ends are cut so that they are at the same level, and the tops are at different levels. Bunches are best made from plants of the same species.

In the attic, in the garage or pantry at a distance of not less than 15 cm from the ceiling, they stretch a fishing line, wire or rope and hang the plants at a distance of 10-15 cm from each other, securing with clothespins.

Flowering plants are cut when the flowers are in full bloom. The lower leaves and thorns are removed. 5-6 plants are tied so that the flowers do not touch each other, and the leaves are well ventilated. Hang upside down.

If the stem of the flower is thin and fragile, then a thin wire is threaded into it so that it does not break after drying.

If you need to bend the stem, after drying at the bend, it is wrapped with a cloth soaked in hot water, and after a while, gently, slightly twisting, give the desired shape.

Air dry can be flowering plants, like cornflower, decorative bows, poppy, montbrecia, lilac (cut off when only the lower flowers bloom), physalis. Gypsophila and hydrangea are dried differently.

Water is poured into a vase to a height of 5 cm and the ends of the stems are immersed in it. Drying occurs as the water evaporates. The tips of the stems that were in it are cut off, as they can become moldy.

Drying flowers in bulk materials

In order to preserve the appearance of valuable flower plants, they are dried in loose substances that absorb moisture well - storm, perlite, silica gel - or with laying flowers with pieces of absorbent cotton.

With such drying, the petals do not wrinkle, and the color becomes more intense.

Flowers are cut on a sunny day so that there is no moisture on the petals, the head is separated from the stem and a wire is inserted into it, it is folded under the flower in a ring.

The desiccant is poured into a deep cup or box with a layer of 1-2 cm and the flowers are laid on it with the rest of the stem down.

Then the petals are carefully poured so that they separate from each other, and trying to ensure that the substance penetrates deep into the flower. When the head is completely covered, the box is tightly closed and placed in a dry place for 3-5 days.

The dried flower is picked up with tweezers, the desiccant is poured into a bowl and reused.

The remnants of the powder are carefully shaken off, blown off with a rubber pear and the flower is connected with a wire to a separately dried stem.

Can be used as a dehumidifier river sand. Only it must first be sieved and well calcined on fire. In this case, drying lasts 15-20 days. As a container, it is better to use a round cardboard box with an opening bottom, because after drying it is better to remove the sand from below.

This is how roses, peonies, dahlias, chrysanthemums, marigolds, buttercups, daisies, primroses, delphiniums should be dried. When saving marigold, gerbera and zinnia flowers are placed face down.

Petals are well preserved when laying them with pieces of hygroscopic cotton wool. They are laid until all the petals, including the middle ones, are separated.

Then hang by the stem to dry. Flower heads dry out in 5-6 days. However, cotton wool is removed only after the stem becomes dry.

Liquid way to preserve plants - in glycerin

There is also a liquid way to preserve plants - in glycerin.

This is how branches and leaves of shrubs are usually preserved. To do this, use a mixture of two parts hot water and one part glycerin.

This liquid is poured into a vessel to a height of about 10 cm. In plants, the lower leaves are cut off, the stem is split with a knife.

Put them first in a vase with water for 3-4 hours, and then for 2-3 weeks in a solution of glycerin. Keep in a cool and dark place. As the solution evaporates, add hot water.

Amaranth, bergenia, barberry, cotoneaster, cypress, fern are dried using glycerin.

Drying plant leaves under an iron, under pressure

Leaves of plants are dried under the iron. They put them on paper, cover with paper and iron them. Then the paper sheets are changed to new ones.

This procedure is repeated until the moisture is completely evaporated from the leaves.

And herbs, and cereals, and flowering plants will crumble less if, after drying, you sprinkle them with hairspray.

Plants that are going to be used in the panel are dried under pressure. To do this, paper is laid on plywood and flowers wrapped in paper are laid out.

Cover with a sheet of plywood or thick cardboard and put a load. Several layers of plants can be dried under one load.

To speed up the process, the plants are shifted every day, replacing damp paper with dry paper. It usually takes 5-7 days to dry under pressure.

Pressing can dry most medicinal herbs, ferns, flowers of pansies, clematis, mallow, primrose, violets.

phytodesigner A. Olshanskaya

Dried leaves are sometimes an indispensable component of crafts or a memory in the form of a herbarium. A variety of sam0delka.ru are made from them, and they can also be used in the interior. Some of them can be used as flavoring for tea. There are several ways to dry leaves.

dry leaves for crafts

1. If you need voluminous leaves, for example, for a bouquet, they need to be laid out in the sun one at a time or combined into bunches. In this case, the edges of the leaves may curl slightly. If you want to achieve rich color then direct sunlight should be avoided. To speed up the process, you can use warm air from a hair dryer.
2. Leaves, previously covered with paper towels, are placed between the sheets of the book. Wet leaves should first be rid of moisture by blotting with a towel. It is important that there must be a distance of at least three mm between the leaves, otherwise the weight will be insufficient. The dried plant book should be checked every week.
3. There is a special device - a flower press. The leaves placed in it, due to the free passage of air, dry quickly. You can either buy it or make your own. The leaves are separated with paper towels and placed under a press. As towels get wet, they need to be changed.
4. Large leaves dry well in the microwave. To do this, a cup of water is placed in it and the leaf itself, wrapped in paper towels, is placed on a plate. You need to dry for 10 seconds, each time checking the condition of the plant.
5. The brightness of fresh leaves can be preserved by drying them with an iron. Each sheet is wrapped in waxed paper and covered with a towel on top. Each side is ironed for about two minutes.
6. A solution of water and glycerin will help preserve the texture of the leaves, but will give them Brown color. The leaf is placed in this solution for several days. After holding it for a couple of weeks, the sheet will remain forever.

Leaves for tea

1. Fresh herbs must be thoroughly washed and dried on a towel.
2. Microwave drying is suitable for instant results. The leaves are placed between paper towels and dried for 30 seconds. This method will not work with juicy greens.
3. Plants with hard leaves dry well. Hanging in small bunches in a dark room. All moisture will have time to evaporate from them. Before drying, small greens are best placed in a paper bag with a prepared hole.
4. Fleshy leaves must be dried quickly, as they tend to become moldy. To do this, in the microwave, paper towels and leaves are placed sequentially in several layers. Plants should not touch each other.
5. Dry leaves keep well in airtight containers. They can be crushed first. They are great as a condiment or addition to tea.

leaf skeleton

1. You need to choose leaves with pronounced veins.
2. Pour water into a saucepan. For safety, gloves must be used, and at the end, rinse all tools with running water.
3. food salt, added to water, will gradually soften the leaf, leaving a veined stem. It can be replaced with soda ash. It will take 30 grams.
4. In ready solution leaves are placed.
5. You can simmer the leaves over low heat or bring to a boil first, and then lower the temperature.
6. The leaves should be simmered until they completely disintegrate. As water evaporates, it must be added.
7. Finished leaves are carefully placed in a container with cold water. They should not touch each other.
8. The pulp is carefully removed from the leaf with a stiff brush. If necessary, it can be washed with running water.
9. Wash all dishes well with soapy water.
10. The resulting leaf skeleton can be dried with any accessible way(spread out on paper towels, between the pages of books or under pressure).