Qu'Appelle Valley Geolog

How to Build a Plant Press (click here for printable version)

Please be sure to read "How to Identify and Collect Plants" before beginning construction on your plant press.

Materials needed:

2 pieces of plywood, 30 cm x 45 cm
Moisture absorbent sheets (or corrugated cardboard), 30 cm x 45 cm : as many as there are plants collected
Folded newspaper sheets: as many as there are plants collected
2 strong belts or ropes: long enough to wrap around plywood with room for expansion
Mounting paper for each plant specimen, 30 cm x 40 cm
Small strips of white sticker paper
Log book for noting where plants were collected from.

Directions:

1. When collecting specimens, choose ones that show either the flowering or fruiting phase of the plant, or both. Make sure to note in the log book where the specimen was collected, the name of the collector, and the date. Be as specific as possible. Imagine you are giving instructions to another person on where to find the location of collection. You may choose to also note other plant species that surround the collected plant. If you are unable to identify the plant at the time of collection, assign the collection a number on the collection bag and in the log book.

2. Display the specimen on newspaper, ensuring no part is folded or hidden. If the specimen is too large to fit on one sheet, fold the specimen into a C or V shape.

3. Place the specimen (now wrapped in newspaper) on one of the pieces of plywood.

4. Cover the newspaper with one moisture absorbent sheet or piece of cardboard.

5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until all the plants are in the press.

6. When all the specimens are ready to be pressed, place the second piece of plywood on top of the pile.

7. Bind the press together by tying the belt or rope around the outer edges of the press, tightening as much as possible.

8. Place the press in an area where there is moderate heat and good ventilation, such as outdoors or in a warm, well-ventilated room. The time required to press will vary depending on the amount of specimens being pressed.

9. If possible, the moisture absorbent sheets should be changed regularly to ensure proper drying of the specimen.

10. Once the specimen has been pressed, discard the used newspaper and attach the specimen to the mounting paper using the strips of sticker paper.

11. Apply a label to the bottom right-hand corner of the mounting paper outlining: (a) the genus, family, species and common name of the plant, (b) where the plant was collected from, (c) the date of collection, (d) the name of the collector, and (e) any other necessary information.

Enjoy your new plant presses!