DATE:     11/12/98
WRITERS:  Dr. Al Pertuit, Clemson Extension Floriculture 
          Specialist, (864) 656-4968

Preserving leaves for the Holidays

     Q:  I am interested in preserving evergreens like magnolia 
leaves and mistletoe for the holidays. How do I go about doing
it?
     A:  Even with the increased prominence of artificial
evergreens made from fibers, such as silk, many people still
prefer "the real thing" preserved in a lifelike manner.
     At this time of the year, as leaves color and three major 
holidays quickly approach, I always get lots of calls about how
to preserve fall colors, "glycerize" magnolia leaves for wreaths,
and preserve mistletoe for holiday decorations. 
     Right now, "preserving" leaves is a timely subject. Some 
hobbyists, of course, have fun doing this year round, and many
have successfully developed their own techniques. Here I will
attempt to cover only some of the more common methods employed to
preserve plant materials.
     Dried leaves can last a very long time. There's a Roman
head-wreath made of dried laurel at the British Museum that is
over 2,000 years old. Like flowers, foliage may be preserved by
air drying or burying the foliage in a desiccant. However, here
is another method more specific for foliage preservation:
     Allow the stems to uptake and translocate a glycerin and
water mixture. This method is ideal for magnolia and mistletoe. 
Use mature leaves only. Some ivies, mahonia, eucalyptus, boxwood,
beech, camellia, oak, and rhododendron also do well if allowed to
absorb glycerin.
     While glycerin is not cheap, it can be obtained from your
local pharmacist. It is not necessary to use the laboratory grade
of glycerin.  
     Mash the stem ends with a hammer and place the stems in a
warm mixture of glycerin/water (1 part glycerin to 2 parts water,
by volumes). Branches of mature leaves should be no longer than
18 inches, including the part of the stripped stem that's in the
container of  glycerin/water.
     Remember that the cut branches will take up the
glycerin/water mixture, so more of the mixture must be added to
the container to replace that which has been taken up. Keep the
solution depth at about 6 inches. 
     After crushing the stems, some place the plant material in a 
salt solution (1 tbsp. table salt/ gal. water) for twenty-four
hours before placing them in the glycerin solution. People who do
this report that this subsequently increases the uptake rate of 
the glycerin solution.
     When the process is complete the entire leaf will turn
golden brown. It may take two to three weeks before all the 
foliage is done. When uptake is complete, the leaves will have a
satin, flexible texture. 
     The leaves remain flexible, and wreaths made from glycerized
magnolia leaves can remain beautiful for many years.
     In addition to their use in dried arrangements, dried
foliage on floral picks make excellent wreaths. For more
information see "Wreaths" at:      
http://virtual.clemson.edu./groups/agcomm/pubs/Pages/Hort/EC696.pdf.
                 ***************************        
     If you have gardening questions or comments, write to
Agricultural News & Publications, A-101 Poole Agricultural
Center, Box 340311, Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 29634-0311.
     You might also want to check out other "Buds and Blooms"
columns under 1998 News Releases at:
http://virtual.clemson.edu/groups/agcomm/ .
                              END