by Carolyn Miller

Created on: May 01, 2009   Last Updated: June 08, 2009

Who doesn't love to see the first signs of spring that crop up in our yards and along the roadside? Crocus, wild violets or daffodils are some of the earliest favorites. Equally enthralling are the colorful leaves we find our fall walks. Children love these signs of spring and fall. What better science project than to preserve these living treasures!

Books are inexpensive and easy

For centuries people have pressed plants in books. If you want to avoid possible discoloration of pages, put the flowers or leaves between 2 sheets of paper. Fall leaves are the easiest plants to preserve. Nature has already begun the process of drying the leaves. Sometimes they will be finished in just a few days. Flowers should not have a thick center or be too complex. Some flowers that are easy to press are wild violets, buttercups and pansies. Make sure the leaf or flower is laying as flat as possible before closing the book. Books are a quick and inexpensive way to preserve plants, but a variety of presses can be purchased at craft stores and on line as well.

Microwave drying

It's not always easy to wait for results. To keep anxious children from having to wait (sometimes for weeks), some quicker drying methods can be used. The microwave is a great tool for drawing moisture from your plants. Special microwave presses are available for purchase, but a book could be used in the microwave too. You might not want to put an expensive book in the microwave, but a large phone book, with plants between papers can be put directly in the microwave. Whether press or book is used, microwave no more than a minute at a time, letting moisture escape and your press cool down between minutes. Most plants will be dry between two and four minutes. This is the least expensive and quickest way to dry leaves and flowers.

Silica

Silica (the same material used in kitty litter) can speed the drying process up considerably. Silica can be purchased at craft store. Put a few cups in the bottom of a plastic container and put your press (or book) on top of it. Place the lid on top and check every few days.

Another silica product is desiccant paper or desiccant board, which has silica embedded in it. This is a very thick paper that can help draw moisture from the plant more quickly. It can be purchased at various sites on-line. Use it in your presses or books to speed the drying process.

A simple and inexpensive press can be made by cutting two pieces of cardboard for the outside and cutting desiccate paper the same size. Place a sheet of cardboard on a table and place a piece of desiccate paper on top. Place a sheet of regular paper on top of that. Lay flowers or plants on the paper. Place another paper on top and another desiccate paper on top of that. Continue to layer in that manner and end with a piece of cardboard on top. Use rubber bands on each end to hold it together. Check every few days. Or place in microwave a minute at a time. This press can be made small enough to fit in a pocket or backpack or as large as a sheet of paper.

Whether you use a simple, inexpensive press or one you purchased, children will love to gather and press interesting plants and flowers. Let them glue their treasures onto paper to make books or cards. The beauty of the world around them will be preserved.

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