How to be a plant collector, Part 1

So you want to collect plants, either for fun or for your job.

Awesome!

The first step:

Making or acquiring a plant press. 

Materials:

2 pieces of some type of hardwood (NOT plywood), measuring 12” by 18”
Large pieces of corrugated cardboard
2 straps, or a belt
Newspaper
Blotting paper (optional)

Instructions:

1) Cutting down the cardboard.
The cardboard needs to be cut down to 12” by 18”, but make sure that the “channels” in it cut across the short end. Look at the picture above if you’re confused. Basically, you want air to be able to pass through the cardboard to help dry your plants, and that’s easiest if the holes go from the long side to the opposite long side.
2) Assembling the press.
Place your stack of cut-out cardboard (anywhere between 5 and 20 pieces is good) between the two pieces of wood. If you have blotting paper, layer this between the cardboard, but it’s not super necessary.
You can stick the newspaper (preferrably a paper that measures 12” and 18” when folded) anywhere in the press, you’ll need it later.
Secure the straps around this, and you are DONE.

Easy, right? If you have any questions at all, send me a message. If any of you actually makes a press, please, please, send me pictures! And feel free to decorate them and make them even more awesome.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where I’ll run you through actually collecting and pressing plants.