Somewhere I've seen an illustration of what looked like a 12" square wooden grid (like trellis) covering a thick bunch of paper sticking out around sides. It was encircled by a strap held by a lady in long dress and some sort of hat very possibly of that era. I'd assume there was a piece of grid covering the other side, of course. This would have been used out in the field...later the flowers were put in fresh paper probably before weighting down for further drying. Looked like it could have been homemade...definitely not the flower-bedecked little presses sold today. This was a stack of maybe 25 sheets of paper...maybe more...of a size to hold the flower, leaves, stem and even root of most small flowers on one page. Probably this was an illustration of a hobbyist, not a professional botanist. It was a very popular pastime...pressing ferns especially and seaweeds as well as all native plants. Also, albums were made up with collections from trips to Alps or Italy or the HolyLand. Poetry was added, or the "meaning" of the flower. I've seen a drawing of inscribed tombstone and then dried Weeping Willow and flowers were added (no doubt Forget-me-nots). smile If you need info on professional plant collectors of that time, your nearest Herbarium (possibly at a University?) could probably help you. From what I've read, they usually took some blotter paper with them but often resorted to using newspapers or whatever paper could be found to press/dry the specimens and using rocks or whatever for weight. And after drying, then labeling, protecting the stack of papers with boards on each side until they got back to civilization or home. Hope this helps. I love reading about this subject, and love looking at the old preserved specimens now online. josh

Hello Vasile! I too am "new" to this field of learning how to "dry & Press" flowers! I'm glad I found this Site here, as it was sent to me by one of my "sister-in-law's," and I have already learned alot since joining the Group Site.... Right now, I personally don't have too many good Web "links" for you to check out, other than what has been Posted on some of the Posting here, & they have really helped. Josh has been the one that has stepped in and given me alot of information so far. Consequently, I have much to learn, that's for sure! If you have read down thru any of the Postings, you will see that I mentioned I just purchased one of those terra-cotta Microwave Flower Presses, but I haven't got it in yet, & I can't wait to try it! I also ordered one of the "drying & Pressing" flower Books too... Once I do get the Flower Press in, I am hoping this will get me started on learning a bit about just how to do this... for "starters" anyway~ I will most likely be Posting later, after I have used it & tried it, to "scream for more help!" I hope you will find some answers on the forum here... Good luck ahead, & hope to see you around again soon Vasile! Cheers, ~ IndianPaintBrush ~

I've placed pressed material on very heavy cardboard stock, then covered with Reynolds Plasticwrap*, large enough to wrap around cardboard well, then place another piece of cardboard on top, secure with several rubberbands. You can make up several packets like this. Then I place in sturdy carton, and if needed fill with shredded paper, peanuts or bubblewrap to avoid any movement at all. You can list contents on each cardboard packet as you make it up. I sometimes place a stack of sturdy dried foliage on a piece of cardboard and slide into a Ziplock bag. Then just place between two very sturdy pieces of cardboard, (using rubberbands, carton, etc.) I've even mailed an old phone directory in which I'd placed the items for drying (just be sure everything is absolutely dry or may mildew). I just put lots of rubber bands around it, cardboard on each side, more rubberbands, then put it into a heavyduty Tryvec envelope. Another pressed-flower fanatic and I exchange old phone books twice a year...smile Good luck. josh

Hi Kate. Best for pressing are what I'd call "flat-faced, single-ply" flowers like Violets, Pansies, Geraniums, or ferns, leaves, etc. You can experiment with others as you mentioned with your Cat's Whiskers (lovely photo), but I don't think there would be any way to press Coneflower. I've no experience with fruit except for Pomegranate which will dry on its own unsliced. Well, I've had limes dry whole but it was unintended...and they turned a dark greenish-black...not pretty! I only grow the Hibiscus coccineus which is easily pressed but it is one of those flatfaced singleply fkowers...I think the others would do better dried in silica gel. Check out a couple of library books...just to get a good basic understanding of the different methods of preserving flowers. Then experiment...you have access to so many lovely plants that may not be found in books(like your Cats Whiskers). Good luck. josh