Beautiful leaves awaken a passion for collecting in us. It doesn't matter whether it's bright green in summer or brightly colored in autumn. In order for their beauty to last longer, they need to lose moisture. Drying works between two book pages, but also differently.

There are several ways to dry leaves

How are leaves dried?

Fresh leaves turn into durable specimens when deprived of oxygen and moisture. The water contained in the leaf cells must leave them completely, otherwise it is an invitation to mold.

Absorbent material like newspaper or paper towels will aid in the drying process by absorbing the desecrating moisture. It comes both under and over the material to be dried.

When flat leaves are needed as a decorative material for greeting cards or for a herbarium, they must be pressed.

There are several ways to get dry

Leaves are wafer-thin and therefore easy to dry. You can patiently let the time do its work, or actively shape the drying process. The following drying processes can be considered:

  • press leaves
  • air dry
  • Iron away moisture
  • microwave drying
  • Drying with dry salt

press leaves

Pressing in this case means adding a fair amount of weight to the leaves. The pressure applied will keep them flat and dry over time. Pressing between two book pages is well known, but it can also be done as follows:

  1. Spread out a kitchen towel on a flat surface.
  2. Spread the leaves on it.
  3. Cover the leaves with another kitchen towel.
  4. Place a large wooden plank on top and additional weights on top of that.

tips

There are special plant presses on the market that work on the same principle. If you want to turn leaf drying into a hobby, it will serve you well.

Air dry

Whole shoots can be tied into bunches and hung upside down to dry. You can spread individual leaves on a kitchen towel and let them air dry. If this is done in a dark place, even many color particles can be obtained.

Iron away moisture

A hot iron will quickly evaporate water. Of course, the integrated steam function is annoying here and has to be switched off.

  1. Pat wet leaves dry first.
  2. Place them between two sheets of wax paper.
  3. Iron over for several minutes. The thicker the leaves, the longer.
  4. Turn the sheets over and continue ironing for a few more minutes.
  5. Repeat the process until the leaves are completely dry.

Leaves dried in this way retain their natural color.

microwave drying

This method allows for quick drying, but leaves may curl or scorch quickly. This also applies to drying in the oven at 50 degrees Celsius.

  • Put kitchen paper underneath
  • Set up a cup with cold water
  • to absorb excess energy
  • test the optimal performance and time
  • start with 10 seconds
  • Repeat if necessary

Drying with dry salt

Dry salt is available at hardware stores and is great for drying leaves. Alternatively, normal table salt, cat litter and detergent are also suitable.

  • Layer leaves alternately with dry salt
  • in a lockable glass container
  • the first and last layer consists of dry salt

The garden journal freshness ABC

How can fruit and vegetables be stored correctly so that they stay fresh for as long as possible?

The garden journal freshness ABC as a poster:

  • as a free PDF file to print out yourself

Category:

Indoor plants