Eucalyptus is a warm, fragrant plant that is often preserved for use in flower arrangements, bouquets, and decorations. After the eucalyptus twigs that want to be preserved are collected, put them in a mixture of water and vegetable glycerol. Allow the twigs to soak up the solution for a few weeks, then remove them and hang them to dry. After that, the eucalyptus twigs are ready to be used or displayed.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Cutting Eucalyptus Twigs
Step 1. Collect eucalyptus at its peak condition
To ensure that you are preserving only the best eucalyptus, cut the twigs at the healthiest conditions. This will save you time and the hard work you will have to do when pruning the eucalyptus tree later.
- There are more than 700 species of eucalyptus trees and plants so it is difficult to know which branches are at their best. We cannot make generalizations regarding the characteristics of branches that are in the best condition.
- For example, one species (E. dundasii) has glossy green leaves throughout its lifetime. While other species (E. caesia) have glossy green leaves only when young.
- Identify the eucalyptus species you wish to preserve and check the botanical reference guide for characteristics of the species at its peak condition. Assess as much as you can in determining the best time to harvest eucalyptus.
Step 2. Do not cut the eucalyptus plant when it is wet
Do not collect eucalyptus after it rains or on a dewy morning. If possible, cut the eucalyptus after a few days of dry weather.
Plants that are still wet can stimulate mold growth and make it harder for the twigs to absorb the glycerol, a preservative that you will use later
Step 3. Do not collect damaged plants
Avoid picking eucalyptus whose flowers have browned or withered. Healthy eucalyptus flowers are generally white, pink, or red. Healthy eucalyptus leaves have no holes and are evenly green in color.
Part 2 of 3: Preserving Eucalyptus
Step 1. Make a preservative solution
To preserve eucalyptus, mix one part glycerol with two parts water. Heat the solution by simmering it until it boils or is almost boiling.
You can find glycerol at an arts and crafts supply store or at your local convenience store
Step 2. Dip the eucalyptus in the preservative solution
Once the glycerol and water solution is ready, pour it into a stable, wide-bottomed vase. Put the eucalyptus twigs in the vase until the base of the cut is submerged in the liquid. The glycerol solution should soak the twigs as deep as 8 cm from the total height.
To speed up the eucalyptus twig absorbs the preservative solution, slice off the base slightly or hit the twig once or twice with a hammer
Step 3. Put the eucalyptus in a cool place
Place a vase filled with eucalyptus twigs in a place with moderate humidity and a temperature of around 16-24 °C. Keep the twigs out of direct sunlight during the process of absorbing the preservative solution.
Add more liquid in the vase as needed, as some of the liquid will evaporate over time
Part 3 of 3: Completing the Eucalyptus Preservation Process
Step 1. Allow the eucalyptus to absorb the solution for as long as it takes
Eucalyptus should be soaked in a preservative solution for about four weeks. However, the exact time it takes the twigs to completely absorb the glycerol varies from 3-6 weeks, depending on their size.
The larger branches will take longer to absorb the glycerol than the shorter and smaller ones
Step 2. Check for black or golden leaves
Once placed in the right place, eucalyptus twigs need time to absorb the preservative solution. Twigs that have undergone a perfect preservation process will turn black or golden, depending on the species. After all the leaves change color, the plant is ready to be removed from the glycerol solution.
Depending on the type, some eucalyptus may not turn black or golden. Experiment and find out how long it takes for the eucalyptus curing process to complete
Step 3. Remove the eucalyptus twigs from the vase
Cut the twigs to the point where they were previously submerged in the pickling solution. Drain any remaining liquid on the twigs.
If you plan to preserve more eucalyptus or other plants in the near future, store the remaining preservative solution in the refrigerator and reuse it later. Otherwise, just throw it away
Step 4. Dry the eucalyptus twigs
Place the eucalyptus twig in a warm, bright, dry, well-ventilated area. After 3-5 days, hang the eucalyptus twig upside down in a warm, dry, dark room. After 2-3 weeks, eucalyptus twigs are ready to use.
If you don't want to use the eucalyptus twig immediately, just store it in a dry, cool, dark place
Tips
- To clean preserved eucalyptus, just take it outside and spray it with mild water from the hose. Hang upside down to dry. Once dry, put it back in its original place.
- Preserved eucalyptus will last longer if stored in a cool, dry place.
- Use the preserved eucalyptus to make bouquets, bouquets, and dried flower art with the press method (oshibana). Alternatively, just put the preserved eucalyptus in a vase and place it at home as a decoration.
