The double immersion technique for preserved flowers

As we explained in our previous article, capillary preservation is particularly suitable for the preservation of foliage and trees. Nevertheless, contrary to what is said on some unscrupulous websites, it is not the ideal solution for the preservation of flowers. We shall therefore give a presentation of the stabilization by double immersion technique, perfect solution to stabilize flowers.

How does the double immersion process work?

The foundation for a successful stabilization process

First, it is necessary to work on an ultra-fresh raw material. That is why today, only producers of fresh roses are able to produce an optimal finished product.

The stem is cut as an angle of a few centimetres below the head. Then, the head is placed in a plastic cup that matches the shape of the flower. This allows the petals to be maintained during the various stages of the process.

How does the first bath for the flower work?

The first immersion is done in a bath of pure alcohol. Be careful, the alcohol must be denatured and free of water: it’s the same alcohol used for distillation. For safety reasons, the ideal is to use ethanol. The economical alternative is methanol, but it releases vapours that cause severe lung damages. This step has the effect of dehydrating the flower while retaining its original shape. In passing, this operation generates a discolouration of the flower, which takes a champagne colour. This immersion lasts 24 hours maximum.

What is the next step for the preserved flower ?

The next day, the same flowers are immersed in a bath, allowing the rehydration of the flower. This bath is composed of alcohol, propylene glycol, a bit of glycerine and food colourings. The colour of the rose will be defined by the chosen dye. Alcohol acts as a catalyst. As for propylene glycol, it penetrates into the petals to rehydrate.

24 hours later, the flowers are ready. They are left to dry for another day. A final quality control is then carried out, and the flowers are placed in their final packaging.

Note that the technique of preservation of the flowers is also used on some leaves, especially by the Japanese.

How do colours come to life in the flower?

As for capillary preservation, the dyes are food dyes. But the colouring technique does not stop here. It sometimes happens that the colour of the post-process flower is reworked in order to obtain shades, gradients, cores of different colours. In short, so many methods to get closer to the original colours. It is also possible, as with the fresh flower, to work on more original finishes such as metallic or diamond powder.

What are the varieties concerned by this stabilization technique?

The varieties of flowers used diverge according to their ability to tolerate the preservation process. They have been identified as offering the best behaviour to various liquor baths and holding over time. For example, most Ecuadorian producers use pink roses. We can not disclose the varieties involved here.

What are the advantages and constraints of this double immersion stabilization technique?

There is a small risk of failure. Once the variety and the correct formulation are found, the risk is almost zero. This requires, however, that the production plant is equipped for this purpose. The tanks must be made of stainless steel. Ideally, it should be possible to control the temperatures in and out of the tanks, the hydrometry of the room, the density of the solutions in the tanks. Reliable factories filter their tanks to recover the various components of the solution. This treatment makes it possible to obtain an ecological product in all points.

Why are producers of preserved plants also producers of fresh flowers?

The producers of preserved flowers are former producers of cut flowers. The production of preserved flowers secures their sales prices. This allows them to sell the entire production. Moreover, it avoids the “race against the clock” effect of fresh flowers.

Most are from South America, mainly in Colombia and Ecuador, like our supplier Kiara flowers. They also exist in Kenya, Japan, and China. The SecondFlor team visited numerous of these factories and was able to observe on site the reliability of the installations, the processes, the production capacities but also the working conditions of employees on site.

Magazine en ligne dédié aux fleurs et plantes stabilisées
Secondnatur est une marque appartenant à
www.secondflor.com.

Online magazine dedicated to stabilized
flowers and plants
Secondnatur is a brand belonging to
www.secondflor.com

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