Eucalyptus stems are versatile and great for decorating your home, whether you use it to create amazing wreathes or in floral arrangement. In this post I’ll show you how to the best way to Preserve Fresh Eucalyptus Stems using a glycerine solution.
I love spring! The warmer temperatures are always welcome after the cold winter months. Last year I planted a eucalyptus bush in the garden, with the intention of using the leaves as decoration. Nearly a year later, the bush have really grown, enough for me to cut some stems to use. How exciting!
Not only eucalyptus are nice to look at they also smell wonderful. They are can also be used for decorations and crafts. You can pair them with other flowers and stems to make a personalised decoration. And of course, you can use them to make essential oils!
Growing eucalyptus tree in Spain
Growing a eucalyptus plant is fairly easy. Here in Spain it’s the perfect place for them to thrive as they need at least 6 hours of sunlight. I planted mine where it gets a mixture of sun and shade. During the first few months of planting it lost most of its leaves, and the grasshoppers seem to like feasting on them. Luckily, now that we are nearly into spring, the tree seem to have recovered much to my surprise!
Bear in mind that eucalyptus trees can grow big pretty quickly, so keeping them trimmed is a must. You can also plant them in a pot indoors but should be kept near a bright window, preferably one that faces south.
The last time my husband bought a bunch of flowers, I kept the eucalyptus stems but after a few weeks/months, they became brittle and the colour changed from green to brown. Now I have found a way to finally preserve them whilst keeping them looking fresh and pliable, ideal for the DIY home projects that I have in mind.
Preserving eucalyptus stems ensures that the leaves lasts longer. They are also suitable for making wreaths, as they are bendy and will keep their shape.
How to Preserve Fresh Eucalyptus Stems Using Glycerine
Step 1
When picking your leaves, try to find the best looking ones. Use stems that are long and green . Check that all the leaves are healthy and free from diseases or insects.
Step 2
Once you have gathered the required amount of stems, remove the leaves from the bottom leaving about 2½ inches of bare stem.
Step 3
Using a hammer or a pestle gently smash the ends of the stems. This is to ensure that the stems absorb the maximum amount of your glycerin mixture.
Step 4
Choose a deep enough vase. I used a mason jar, the stems should be able to touch the bottom. Pour the glycerine into the jar. I used 100ml of glycerine and 200ml of water. You can use whatever amount you need, just ensure that it’s one part glycerin and two parts boiling water. Use a spoon or a chopstick to stir the mixture. Leave for 5-10 minutes before adding the stems into the vase.
Step 5
Once the stems are fully submerged into the liquid mixture, leave in a cool and dry place. This process will take about 2-4 weeks. So patience is the key! You will find that as the weeks go by the liquid will evaporate. When this happens top up with more glycerine and water.
When they are ready remove the stems from the liquid and allow to air dry. Then they are ready to use however you’d like!
One thing to remember when preserving eucalyptus stems
It’s natural for the leaves to wilt and curl so they won’t be perfectly straight. You will find that the leaves will darken, and they will become smooth and soft. This method is ideal if you want to create wreathes and anything else that requires you to bend the stems in place.
Preserving fresh eucalyptus stems
Materials
- Bunch of eucalyptus stems
- Vase or mason jar
- Vegetable glycerine
- Boiling water
Tools
- Hammer or a pestle
- Shearing tool or scissors
- Spoon
Instructions
- When picking your leaves, try to find the best looking ones. Use stems that are green with long stems. Check that all the leaves are healthy and free from diseases or insects.
- One you have gathered the required amount of stems, removed the leaves from the bottom leaving about 2½ inches of bare stem.
- Using a hammer or a pestle to gently smash the ends of the stems. This is to ensure that the stems absorb the maximum amount of your glycerin mixture.
- Choose a deep enough vase. I used a mason jar, the stems should be able to touch the bottom. Pour the glycerine into the jar. I used 100ml of glycerine and 200ml of water. You can use whatever amount you need, just ensure that it’s one part glycerin and two parts boiling water. Use a spoon or a chopstick to stir the mixture. Leave for 5-10 minutes before adding the stems into the vase.
- Once your stems are fully submerged into the liquid mixture, leave in a cool and dry place. This process will take about 2-4 weeks. So patience is the key! You will find that as the weeks go by the liquid will evaporate. When this happens top up with more glycerine and water.
- When they are ready remove the stems from the liquid and allow to air dry. Then they are ready to use however you’d like!
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