Preserving the maleability of flower petals...

[watches]

Can anybody suggest a way in which I could preserve a flower so that it could be maleable for many years at the same time as being transparent to see the flower below? ... any suggestions would be really helpfull!

[gen2]

Sorry watches, but I am unaware of any flowers that are malleable. Whenever I hit one with a hammer or pass it between rollers it always gets destroyed.

I am not currently aware of any process that will render a flower transparent so that other blooms can be seen through it. Did you have something in mind?

[watches]

sorry i meant that imagine taking one flower and you want to preserve it, so that it reamains slightly flexible and the material that you use to preserve it is transparent... not the flower its self transperent, and i think my vocabulary was incorrect I really meant flexible, not maleable...

[Clanad]

We've used this method successfully, especially on roses:

Glycerine
This chemical replaces the water in the plant material, making the preserved plant supple and long-lasting. To use this method, the plant material needs to be gathered in a fully hydrated (non-wilted) state. Use two parts of water to one part of glycerine, making sure the water is luke warm for better mixing and faster absorption. Ordinary car antifreeze will work. If the autumn colors are showing, it may be too late to preserve them in glycerine.

Where leaves only are used, they should be submerged completely in the glycerine-water solution. Where leaves attached to stems are used, then only the stems are immersed into the solution. The time required for completing the preservation process varies, but expect two to perhaps three weeks before the glycerine solution reaches the leaf tips.

If the samples appear to wilt after removal from the solution, then hang them upside down so the glycerine will migrate to leaf and branch tips. For beginners who are looking for assured first-time satisfaction, (Source: Ronald C. Smith, Horticulturist)

[steveb]

not my question, but a fantastic answer Clanad

[watches]

your answer was fantastic thankyou so so so much for such a great tip, perfect!