Hello Allbusiness-ga,
Thank you for your interesting question.
My search returned the following results for natural materials that
can be used in the preservation of fresh flowers.
===============================================================
Beeswax:
At the USPTO Patent database I located a method for preserving fresh
cut flowers using beeswax.
Patent number 6,265,346
“Method for preserving fresh cut flowers and the preserved flowers
produced therefrom.”
Abstract:
“A method for preserving a fresh flower includes coating the flower
with beeswax and applying a protective sealant of natural lacquer over
the beeswax. Dye and/or fragrance may be added to the beeswax. The
preserved flower produced therefrom includes a first beeswax coating
and a second protective sealant coating. The fresh flowers so
preserved substantially retain their original appearance and
fragrance.”
They mention that flowers coated with paraffin lose their color and
don’t last long.
“The natural colors of fresh flowers are dimmed by a coating of
paraffin wax and when exposed to the air, the paraffin wax-coated
flowers lose their color, eventually turning the flower dark brown in
color. Fresh flowers preserved with paraffin therefore last only for a
short period of time, typically about a week.”
I am including a few brief excerpts but I highly recommend that you
read the complete entry for full details.
”The present invention resides in an improved method for preserving
freshly cut flowers and the preserved flowers produced therefrom. The
method comprises the steps of, generally, coating a freshly cut flower
with beeswax, and providing a sealant for protecting the
beeswax-coated flower against primarily discoloration.”
(..)
”..the method produces preserved flowers that substantially retain the
appearance and fragrance of the freshly cut flower. The coating step
includes dipping a rehydrated and clean freshly cut flower into melted
beeswax to which dye and fragrance have been optionally added, cooling
the beeswax coated flower and curing the beeswax coated flower to
remove moisture to avoid mildew, rot and discoloration
(..)
”The sealing step includes applying a protective sealant to the
beeswax coated flower. The protective sealant is preferably a natural
lacquer."
(..)
“The flower should be submerged in the melted beeswax for no longer
than about two seconds, preferably about one second. Once raised from
the melted beeswax, the upside down flower should continue to be spun
for about 15 to about 30 seconds after which the flower should be
turned upright and spun for about an additional 15 to about 30
seconds.”
”The beeswax is preferably heated to about 150 to about 160 degrees
Fahrenheit. The beeswax is an all natural wax, made from the honey
bee, nontoxic and ingestible.”
"The dye may be added to the melted beeswax. The dye is preferably
translucent. This enables the beeswax coat to be substantially
translucent, keeping the color of the flower as close to natural as
possible.”
“The dye substantially prevents an unnatural waxy coating to show. The
dye is also preferably nontoxic and ingestible for edible flowers.”
Source:
United States Patent and Trademark Office
Patent number 6,265,346
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=2&u=/netahtml/search-bool.html&r=54&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=ptxt&s1=beeswax&s2=flowers&OS=beeswax+AND+flowers&RS=beeswax+AND+flowers
Victorian Bride carries fresh flowers preserved with beeswax.
http://www.victorianbride.com/
“Since the beginning of humankind we have tried continuously to
preserve our most cherished fresh flowers, in hope of keeping their
vibrant look forever. Rarely has success been achieved in the creation
of everlasting flowers which look realistic and are easy to care for.
Our Beeswax Preserved Fresh Flowers are truly magical. Appearing as if
they were still in bloom, maintaining color, shape, size, even
fragrance for years to come.”
Source: Victorian Bride
http://www.victorianbride.com/index/page2.html
===============================================================
Gum Arabic:
There is a reference of Gum Arabic being used as a method of
preserving fresh flowers.
“How to preserve flowers and fruit - Fruit and flowers may be
preserved from decay and fading by immersing them in a solution
of gum arabic and water two or three times, waiting a sufficient
time between each immersion to allow the gum to dry. This
process covers the surface of the fruit with a thin coat of gum,
which is entirely impervious to the air, thus preventing the
decay of the fruit or flower. Roses thus preserved have all the
beauty of freshly picked ones, though they have been separated
form the parent stock many months.”
Source: Homemakers – How To Advice
http://www.howtoadvice.com/Homemakers
Google Newsgroups
http://groups.google.com/groups?q=preserve+flowers+wax&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&selm=77mab7%243rt%241%40news3.infoave.net&rnum=4
Gujaratichristians.com
http://www.gujaratichristians.com/housetips.htm
Gum Arabic
“Gum arabic (E414, acacia gum) is prepared from an exudate from the
stems and branches of sub-Saharan (Sahel zone) Acacia senegal and
Acacia seyal (Leguminosae) trees and produced naturally as large
nodules during a process called gummosis to seal wounds in the bark of
the tree. It is a less consistent material than other hydrocolloids.”
http://www.sbu.ac.uk/water/hyarabic.html
=====================================================
Collodion:
Collodion is also mentioned as a method of preserving fresh flowers.
Old Secret Formulas:
“Fresh flowers may be preserved indefinitely if dipped in what?”
“Collodion, thinned with ether or keep stems in vase of powdered
silica gel.”
http://www.americaninsurancedepot.com/help/2.htm
Grandma's Remedies And Grandpa's Formulas
http://www.make-stuff.com/formulas/grandpa.html
COLLODION
“It was quite common in the last century. You made it by dissolving
cellulose nitrate in ether and alcohol. You kept it on your medicine
shelf and used it to cover cuts. It hardened into a protective shell
that stuck to the skin and covered the wound.
Roberts, R.M., Serendipity: Accidental Discoveries in Science. New
York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1989, Chapters 15 and 16.”
http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi608.htm
===================================================
Search Criteria:
Fresh flower preservation
Preserve fresh flowers wax OR resin
Preserve fresh flowers wax OR gum
“Gum Arabic” preserved flowers
beeswax flower preservation
collodion preserved flowers
secret recipe flower preservation
I hope you have found this information helpful. If anything is unclear
or if a link doesn’t work, please request clarification and I'll be
glad to offer further assistance before you rate my answer and close
the question.
Best regards,
Bobbie7-ga |
Clarification of Answer by
bobbie7-ga
on
29 May 2003 09:25 PDT
Hello allbusiness-ga,
Regarding your clarification request, I did additional research and
located another method of flower preservation that may interest you.
However I must say that I did answer your original question completely
in my initial answer.
In your original question you asked:
“I need to find out which waxes/resins (all natural) can be used to
preserve fresh flowers with NO waxy look or fading of color. Parrafin
is too heavy. If you can find these substances (more than one would
be great) and what they would have to be mixed with to get the
ultimate result - a fresh flower forever - I would very grateful.
(The wax or resin has to be transparent/translucent.) I'm looking for
the secret recipe of a dying art.”
- Beeswax is a natural product of Honey Bees is used to preserve fresh
flowers.
- There is no waxy look or fading.
- This wax is transparent/translucent.
- The fresh flowers preserved this way retain their original
appearance and last for years.
- I included the link to the patent where you can view the step by
step details (recipe) to make them yourself.
You said “more than one would be great”
- I included gum Arabic and Collodion as alternative methods.
- One of the finest researchers at Google Answers, pointed out another
method of preserving flowers; impregnating them with silicone which I
also included in my original answer.
In your clarification you asked: “Would $200 have bought me more
compelling methods?”
All researchers here at Google Answers do our best to satisfy our
customers whether we’re answering a $2.00 or $200.00 questions. I did
extensive research and located the best available information online
in answer to your question.
That said here is another method of flower preservation:
Glycerin Drying
“This method keeps some flowers soft and pliable for easier handling
and less shedding. Try this method with eucalyptus, baby’s breath and
statice.”
You will need:
Vegetable glycerin, (available at Pharmacies)
Water
A glass or enamel container large enough to hold the flowers upright
A hammer
“Mix 1 part vegetable glycerin to 2 parts hot tap water, using enough
to make the mixture about 2 inches deep.”
“Smash the bottom inch or two of the flower stems to help them absorb
the glycerin quickly. (One or two whacks with the hammer is all you
need.)”
“Place the flower stems in the glycerin-water mixture, and leave 3 to
5 days so the flowers can absorb the glycerin. (Baby’s breath can take
1 to 2 weeks; wait until the stems turn tan.) You can tell when the
flowers have absorbed enough glycerin by the way they look and feel. A
good way to test if they are ready is to let one stem air dry and
compare it to the flowers in the glycerin after a few days. If the air
dried flower feels dry and the flowers in the glycerin feel soft and
look slightly darker in color they're probably ready to be taken out
of the glycerin mixture.”
“Cut off the part of the stem that was setting in the glycerin. Allow
the flowers to air dry for a week or so before storing. The
glycerin/water mixture can be reused several times.”
Preserving Holly
“I use a solution of 2 parts boiling water and 1 part glycerin plus
plenty of food coloring to maintain the green color. Immerse them in
the solution. Some greens uptake the solution and through the stems
and some don't. So it is best to immerse the whole stem if you are not
sure. I think a nice bath of the wax solution of (acrylic floor wax, 4
parts water to 1 part wax, with some color added) would be a nice
finish to help lock in the moisture, and give the leaves a nice
shine.”
http://www.herbalgardens.com/archives/crafts-archive/flower-preserving.html
As you can see, the beeswax method of flower preservation is the only
one that fulfills *all* your requirements.
Best wishes,
Bobbie7-ga
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