Preserving with Glycerin

[Endy0816]

Been working on this for a bit.

Several leaves preserved in a commercial Glycerin solution(blue).

Main idea is to incorporate life-like plants in decorative and functional items.

There are a number of pieces out there which incorporate living plants in a similar fashion. Main issue with many of these is the need for regular tending and dealing with any thing wanting to make its home in the plant's "pot".

 

Honestly not sure I've quite figured out what I'm doing. Still have plenty preservative though, so going to keep working on it.

 

If anyone could ID the species, I would be appreciative. Obtained them via clippings from a vine that strayed onto the roadside.

Edited November 16, 2015 by Endy0816

[Endy0816]

Okay, has been a week and I think the project has turned out decently enough. Leaves smell like dried leaves but are as pliable as when they were fresh(main goal).

 

 

So far nothing has gone after them. Potential threats include mold, insects and pets.

 

Want to try a larger specimen next. I'd like to move towards functional pieces, but since I've started on this I've been noticing most leaves lack the surface area for human type applications. Fantasy furnishings are poorly grounded in reality.

 

Half wondering if something could be rigged up(glycerinated plant cells on a scaffolding).

 

It is possible to take thread and needle to leaves, but the results I've seen look pretty weird.

 

[Endy0816]

It Came Back Wrong

 

 

Had considerable wilting and loss of color with this one. Was possibly caused by the lack of exposure to sunlight. Could be due to the fact that it is a different plant as well. I'm hoping the solution itself is okay. I haven't seen any reason to think it isn't but could be a factor.

 

May still be able to use them if they prove to have preserved okay otherwise. Might look nice enough placed in an old light bulb or under clear vase filler.

 

Planning to try mother-in-law's tongue next. I'm thinking something fibrous might hold up better.

 

As hoped for, the first trio of leaves looks the same. Weird having to dust them off, but at least they look the same.

Edited January 20, 2016 by Endy0816

[Endy0816]

Started the Mother-in-Law's tongues(Sansevieria trifasciata) yesterday.

 

2 leaves: Both are starting at ~5 cm at their widest, one is ~53.34 cm the other is ~28 cm.

 

Can see the dye appearing to make its way up the yellow edges of the plant. Testing to see if having the leaves not totally immersed in the solution helps any. So far it appears to be working, keeping my fingers crossed.

 

I'd like to determine all the in-and-outs of what determines the rate of absorbancy. Impact of temperature, photosynthesis, and viscosity. I've found the equivalent of old wives' tales, but nothing solid.

 

 

Note: I've never been a fan of soliloquies. Feel free to keep me from talking only to myself here.

Edited January 23, 2016 by Endy0816

[Endy0816]

So at 22 days and both leaves don't appear to have changed further for better or worse...

 

I'm thinking I'll remove one out and cut it to shape and in the process see if any dye appears to have been absorbed. Honestly, if it isn't the preservative, with this kind of longevity I'm tempted not to worry about preserving and simply cutting new leaves as needed. Thing grows like a weed and is related to a local invasive. If you ever want an indoor air purification plant that is virtually indestructible, it is the way to go though.

Edited February 13, 2016 by Endy0816

[Endy0816]

Saw that the dye was absorbed where the plant had been submerged and that a small amount managed to work its way up the capillaries. Might try submerging the remaining leaf or going with something different.

[Endy0816]

Removed the remaining Sansevieria today. Same results as the first.

 

The submerged section appears very dead but dyed with the top portion keeping most of its original coloring. Both are still in remarkably good shape considering it has been over 2 months. Previously removed plant observed to be more rigid than the recent removal.

 

 

[Endy0816]

Second Sansevieria started to brown. First one is still going strong. I'm thinking it did preserve and just wasn't obvious about it color wise.

 

Only problem with successful preservation is that repeat pictures are kind of pointless...

Edited May 21, 2016 by Endy0816