Storing pressed flowers...

Storing pressed flowers in a way that protects them and keeps them easily accessible is a challenge!

After years of trial and error, I’ve finally come up with a method that seems to be working for me.

First, as I finish pressing my flowers, I place them on sheets of computer paper in a single layer, until the sheet is full.  I then place the paper in a file folder, that is appropriately labeled  i.e. flower or color type, small leaves, etc.  Depending on the thickness of the flowers, I can usually place about 10 sheets filled with pressed flowers or greens in each folder. 

For a number of years I laid these folders in a plastic rubber made tubs, along with a few tablespoons of "indicating" silica gel.  Since I store my flowers in the basement, dampness was an ongoing concern, and I had to "reactivate" the silica gel frequently, since the plastic tubs were far from air tight. 

Now I place my file folders inside large, air tight foil "dry lock" bags, along with a small plastic box of indicating silica gel, and my flowers stay dry and bright indefinitely.  No more limp, fading flowers or bug infestation worries! The foil "dry lock" bags I use were made to store high end computer equipment, and I can fit a number of file folders filled with flowers, stems, etc (laying flat) in each bag, along with a box of silica gel.

The silica gel contained in the silica box turns pink when it has absorbed its limit of moisture, and it can be quickly reactivated hundreds of times by simply putting the the entire box in the microwave.  However, I have not needed to reactivate my silica gel boxes now that I am using the foil bags, unless I leave the silica gel box sitting out while I am using my flowers.

I have a limited number of reusable silica boxes and dry lock foil bags available for purchase for your own pressed flower storage needs.