Q&A for How to Preserve Fall Leaves

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  • Question
    What are the best flowers to dry out?
    Lana Starr, AIFD
    Certified Floral Designer & Owner, Dream Flowers
    Lana Starr is a Certified Floral Designer and the Owner of Dream Flowers, a floral design studio based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dream Flowers specializes in events, weddings, celebrations, and corporate events. Lana has over 14 years of experience in the floral industry and her work has been featured in floral books and magazines such as International Floral Art, Fusion Flowers, Florist Review, and Nacre. Lana is a member of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) since 2016 and is a California Certified Floral Designer (CCF) since 2012.
    Certified Floral Designer & Owner, Dream Flowers
    Expert Answer
    Roses are a great choice! You generally want to avoid drying flowers that bloom in the spring, since these flowers tend to have thin, paper-like petals. Stick with flowers that bloom in the summer or spring for best results.
  • Question
    How do you keep color in dried flowers?
    Lana Starr, AIFD
    Certified Floral Designer & Owner, Dream Flowers
    Lana Starr is a Certified Floral Designer and the Owner of Dream Flowers, a floral design studio based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dream Flowers specializes in events, weddings, celebrations, and corporate events. Lana has over 14 years of experience in the floral industry and her work has been featured in floral books and magazines such as International Floral Art, Fusion Flowers, Florist Review, and Nacre. Lana is a member of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) since 2016 and is a California Certified Floral Designer (CCF) since 2012.
    Certified Floral Designer & Owner, Dream Flowers
    Expert Answer
    All flowers fade when you preserve them. To get the best color, choose darker or brightly colored leaves.
  • Question
    Can I cover the leaves in Mod Podge?
    Community Answer
    You could. Just make sure the leaves are dry, first.
  • Question
    Will laminating a leaf preserve its color?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but it has to be dried first, and exposure to sunlight will fade the color.
  • Question
    Can fresh leaves be covered in polyurethane to stop their deterioration?
    Community Answer
    Fresh leaves will not respond well to coating with polyurethane. Dry the leaves first.
  • Question
    Can the leaves be laminated?
    Community Answer
    Yes, I am about to do it for the first time. If you Google and go onto Pinterest you will get all kinds of ideas.
  • Question
    I painted some dry leaves but they are wilting in the humidity. How can I keep them firm?
    Betta 4 Bettas
    Community Answer
    You need to dry them out somewhere cool, dark and dry. In a book, or in a dry basement.
  • Question
    When using beeswax to coat fall leaves - is it best to use yellow beeswax or white beeswax or a combination of both?
    Community Answer
    A combination could be used, but in this case it is better to use the yellow beeswax, and if possible just preserve them in an area with a mild temperature.
  • Question
    What if I put a pile of pretty leaves in a vacuum-seal bag and seal it closed?
    Wolf.KT
    Community Answer
    After the leaves are taken off the tree, the cells of the plant begin to die. When the cells die, the chemicals inside the cells start to break down, which will eventually make the colors fade. This is what would happen even in a vacuum if the vacuum-seal is all that you do. If you use the method of drying leaves that you read about above, wrapping in a towel and then ironing to drive the moisture out of the leaves, the heat will also stop a lot of the chemical reactions that ruin the color. Glycerin treatment will also preserve very well. After either of those treatments, a vacuum-seal will make the leaves last much longer.
  • Question
    How do I preserve dried leave on canvas indefinitely?
    Community Answer
    Drying them and sealing them with Mod Podge individually, then attaching them to the canvas with Mod Podge, should work.
  • Question
    Can I refrigerate leaves to preserve them for 2-3 days?
    Community Answer
    You can, but the moisture in the fridge could leave the leaves damp or wet, and you want the leafs to be dry.
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