Cool, crisp mornings, beautiful blue skies and vibrant, colorful leaves all herald in the Fall season. Here's a simple way to preserve those colorful leaves and create a wreath that will last for months.
Supplies needed: pruners, hammer, deep pail, pH test kit, glycerin, surfectant (eg. Spreader Sticker), florist wire and a wreath form.
On a cool evening, cut about a dozen or so small branches at their peak of color choosing those that have a lot of leaves. This needs to be done before there's been a frost. Once cut, hammer the cut end to open up the vascular system.
Fill a deep pail with half a gallon of warm water. Test the pH level. It needs to be between 3 and 4. If it's too high, adjust the level by using drops of lemon juice. If too low, add powdered lime. Then add 17 ounces of glycerin and 4-5 drops of surfectant ( available at garden shops).
Put the cut branches into the bucket and place it away from sunlight. It'll take 3-5 days for the branches to absorb the solution (magnolia leaves take 3-6 weeks). The leaves will feel supple and are now ready for your project.
To make a wreath, pick leaves from branches and bind small bunches together with florist wire. Place the bunch on a wreath form and attach by wrapping florist wire around the form. Overlap the bunches as you go until the wreath form is completely covered.
Note: The leaf colors will change when they absorb the glycerin water. Yellows become more vibrant while reds and orange turn a ruddy brown. Some leaves will work better than others. Experiment to find what works for you.
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