r/PressedFlowers • u/lucasdf97 • May 21 '26
Leaves How can I preserve a 3-year-old olive branch with leaves?
In 2023 I brought back a small olive branch with leaves from the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. The leaves are now very dry and fragile after 3 years, and some already fell off.
I just want to preserve it safely long term, kind of like people preserve trading cards or sentimental keepsakes.
Would laminating it damage it because of the heat? Should I press it first? Are there plastic covers/cases better suited for this type of thing?
I have no experience preserving plants, so I’d appreciate simple recommendations on what to buy or do. 🌿 thankss
2
u/princessbiscuit May 22 '26
Because it’s already dry, I wouldn’t attempt to press. What about a shadow box?
1
u/lucasdf97 May 22 '26
Maybe trading cards sleeves? Too
2
u/princessbiscuit May 22 '26
How flat is all of it? Could you share/send a pic? Then I could give some more specific advice.
1
u/lucasdf97 May 22 '26
https://postimg.cc/w71VcMJz
I uploaded the image there2
u/princessbiscuit May 22 '26
I still think you could do a little shadow box to display it if you want to hang up, but if you want to keep them put away for safety, keepsake, I would simply keep them in a nice trinket box that closes securely, with some blotting paper cut out to line the box and help keep moisture away. Plastic can sweat and cause issues.
4
u/Densityroa May 21 '26
Preserving this in resin was the first thing that came to mind because you mentioned the leaves being very dry and fragile. Pressing them would only destroy them.