DATE:   11/18/99
WRITER: Dr. Al Pertuit, (864) 656-4968
EDITOR: Giles Singleton, (864) 656-3876

Preserving Leaves for the Holidays

     Q:  I am interested in preserving evergreens like magnolia
leaves and mistletoe for the holidays. How do I do this?
     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 are quickly approaching, I always get lots of calls
about how to preserve fall colors, "glycerize" magnolia leaves
for wreaths, and preserve mistletoe for holiday decorations. 
     Some hobbyists, of course, have fun doing this year round,
and many have successfully developed their own techniques. Let me
mention, however, some of the more common methods employed to
preserve plant materials.
     Dried leaves can last a very long time. There is 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. Another method
more specific for foliage preservation is as follows:
     Allow the stems to absorb and translocate a glycerin and
water mixture. This method is ideal for mature magnolia and 
mistletoe leaves. Some ivies, mahonia, eucalyptus, boxwood,
beech, camellia, oak, and rhododendron also do well if allowed to
absorb a glycerin/water mixture.
     While glycerin is not cheap, remember that glycerized
materials last for years. Glycerine can be obtained from your
local pharmacist. It is not necessary to use the more expensive
laboratory grade of glycerin.
     Mash the stem ends with a hammer and place the stems in a
warm mixture of glycerin/water (one part glycerin to two parts
water, by volumes). Branches of mature leaves should be no longer
than 18 inches, including the part of the stripped stem that is
in the glycerin/water mixture.
     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 six inches. 
     Initially, after crushing the stems, some place the plant
material in a salt solution (one tbsp. table salt/ gal. water)
for 24 hours before placing them in the glycerin/water solution.
This pretreatment subsequently increases the uptake rate of the
glycerin/water solution.
     When the uptake process is complete, the entire leaf will be
golden brown. It may take two to three weeks before all the
foliage is done. The leaves will have a satin, flexible texture. 
     The leaves will remain flexible, and wreaths made from
glycerized magnolia leaves can be beautiful for many years.
     In addition to their use in dried arrangements, dried
foliage on floral picks make excellent wreaths. For more
information see EC 696, "Making Wreaths" at:
http://virtual.clemson.edu/groups/psapublishing/Pages/Hort/EC696.pdf .
A printed copy of this may be obtained from your county's
Clemson Extension office for $4.00 around Thanksgiving. 
     This publication is also available through the Clemson
University online ordering system at
http://cufan.clemson.edu/OLOS/ , or send a check payable to
Clemson University to the Bulletin Room, 82 Poole Agricultural
Center, Clemson University, Clemson, SC  29634-0129. -- Al
Pertuit, Clemson Extension Floriculture Specialist.
                  ***************************
     If you have questions or comments on gardening-related
issues, write to PSA Media Relations, Box 340129, A-101 Poole
Agricultural Center, Clemson University, Clemson, S. C. 29634-0129.
     You might also want to look for other "Buds and Blooms"
columns under 1999 News Releases at: www.clemson.edu/psamedia.
                              END