Plant press — also have sex as flower press — are simple to build up . They also happen to make smashing gifts for gardeners , nature - lovers and crafters . Oh , and they ’re all important if you want to store your own botanical specimens .
My plant wardrobe came in ready to hand late when I discover a few four - leaf clovers and another four - leaf oxalis works . I carefully pluck the prosperous stems , arranged them between tack of day book paper , and pressed them for descendants .
The Basics
Now , if you ’ve ever pressed a leafage or bloom between the pages of a heavy book , you already understand the plant life press basics . The book ’s covert provide harshness and weight and its pages occupy wet . Eventually , clean plants become flat and dried .
But using books to press plants is n’t idealistic . Both book and plant life can mildew in the process . And it ’s all too easy to forget exactly where you put your specimens .
By contrast , dedicated plant presses typically include several sheet of blotter paper and cardboard sandwich between two fatheaded , wooden boards . recollective coach bolts and nuts check the contraption together . And by loosen or tightening these , you could ensure how much flattening pressure you apply .
you’re able to also swop out fresh rap sheet paper and composition board in your flora press to help speed up the dry out process along the path .
learn more : Make your own cosmetic loom with forage wildflower .
Equipment & Materials
quick to make your own plant life press ? To start , you ’ll ask the follow puppet and cloth :
Step by Step
I wish to practice reclaimed wood whenever I can . I had an previous piece of 3/4 - inch hardwood shelving that I switch off into two evenly sized pieces . ( See picture Step 1 . ) My pieces each valuate eight by 12 inches .
My reclaimed wood also had some drips of key and a few nick . I take to strip up and smooth the surface of both cut boards with a drum sander . ( See image dance step 2 . ) I also rounded all of the recess and edges slightly , but this is optional .
Once you have your two equal boards , measure and mark each corner . I measured 1 column inch from the bottom and 1 in from the side and label this smear at each corner . ( See image Step 3 . ) These are the marks you ’ll use when it ’s fourth dimension to practice pilot holes for your carriage bolts . ( See persona Step 4 . )
Susan Brackney
In part , the length and size of the equipage bolts you choose look on the thickness of your lumber . I chose carriage bolts that were 1/4 - inch thick and 5 column inch long . Also , the recitation routine you use should be just slightly larger than width of your carriage bolt .
In my case , I used a 5/8 - inch drill bit .
Finishing Touches
When your finished industrial plant military press is assembled , you ’ll need to be able to move the board smoothly up and down along the go-cart bolts . So , after you ’ve drilled one hole in each corner of your two instrument panel , put them together and insert the hardware as a test . ( See figure Step 5 . )
To assemble at each corner , first range a washer over the drilled muddle . Then feed the carriage bolt of lightning through the washing machine and through the hole in the first board . Next , fertilise the bolt of lightning through the comparable hollow in the second dining table . Fit another washer over the final stage of the bolt , then screw on a wing addict .
Repeat these steps at the three other corners . If your boards do n’t move smoothly along the posture bolts , remove all ironware and carefully drill through the yap again . If you like , you could maculate , paint or shellack your plant life pressure board once you ’ve completed these steps .
Susan Brackney
Next , switch off two as sized pieces of Masonite . ( See range of a function gradation 6 . ) These should gibe within the space between the rig bolts . My two Masonite opus each measured 5 1/2inches by 9 inches .
You ’ll also cut your day book paper sheets and composition board pieces to the same size as the Masonite shroud . ( See image Steps 7 and 8 . )
Read more : Flowers as solid food ? Yes ! Try these 5 kinds of edible flowers in your garden .
Specimen Setup
The Masonite sheet you prune will aid to provide surplus bread and butter for the flora you want to preserve . When you ’re ready to gear up up the finished plant insistency , you ’ll sandwich each plant specimen between two pieces of blotter newspaper . Next , you ’ll sandwich this rap sheet report - specimen combo between two pieces of cardboard .
Stack each of these set one on top of the next . Now , sandwich this bundle of specimens between the two Masonite sheets .
This concluding sandwich goes in between the two wooden card of your plant press . To flatten and dry out your specimens , you ’ll tug these boards together and tighten them down with the fender nuts . As your plants start to dry out out , you may need to give the wing nuts a few more turning to keep the air pressure up .
How long your plant life will need to remain in the pressure bet on their thickness , moisture capacity and more . But , as you try out with your plant press , you ’ll before long get a feel for this .
