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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1987-04-15, Page 33Page 9 You can enjoy summer flowers all year round at home Have you ever wished you could capture the beauty of summer's flowers to enjoy once their season is over? "It can be done. The cost of pressing flowers is reasonable and the results are beautiful", says Master Gardener Marion Gorrie of London, Ont., one of several gardening enthusiasts in the province train- ed in horticulture through the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food's Master Gardener program. All you need are two pieces of centimetre - thick plywood I cut a little larger than a telephone directory ), two large "C" clamps, and an out-of-date telephone directory. Gather specimens on a dry day. Pick only fresh flowers that show no signs of fading, as well as some buds, stems and foliage. Sometimes, if the flower is small I press it with the stem and foliage intact. But usual- ly, I remove the flower head from the stem and press the pieces separately," Gorrie says. Press a quantity of each specimen (no matter how carefully you handle the dried and pressed flowers, you are bound to break some) . Place the flower face down, between the directory pages, pressing gently with a finger so the flower will lay flat until you close the press. Place some of the flowers in profile. If the foliage is coarse or if it does not have an interesting shape, discard it. Fill a page, then skip several pages and continue to fill another page. (If the directory is very thick, tear the spine into slimmer sections) . Place the directory carefully between the plywood sheets and secure the "C" clamps tightly on two sides. Drying times vary ;'some flowers may dry in a week, while others may take much longer. Specimens are dried, if by inserting a thumb nail under the edge of a petal or leaf, the specimen lifts easily or slides over the ag. e p ( At this point, the specimens are fragile, semi -transparent and very delicate, so they must be handled carefully). You may create floral pictures, hasty - notes, coasters, place mats, lamp shades — even decorated candles — with your pressed flowers. GET IT DONE RIGHT WITH CLINTON GLASS A complete selection of replacement windows (aluminum or vinyl) and doors. ALUMINUM CASEMENT WINDOW 1986 BEST SELLER — ALCAN 57mm (23/4") ALUMINUM STORM DOOR VERTICAL SLIDER REPLACEMENT WINDOW WITH TILT -ACTION FOR EASY CLEANING for easy cleaning', 1 { ) FOR YOUR SPRING the classic look in high-tech design BUILDING PROJECTS... 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Cut the watercolor paper to fit the glass. Arrange flowers, stems and foliage on the paper until you are satisified with your composition. Now, transfer your composition to a clean sheet of paper. On a small square of waxed paper, spread a small amount of white glue, diluting it with'water to a fairly thin consistency. Dip the broad end of the toothpick into the glue and with a wiping motion, holding the pick flat, spread glue over a small area of the watercolor paper where the first flower will be placed. Dip the fine end of the toothpick into the glue and onto the pressed material ( flower, leaf, etc. ). Lift the pressed flower and posi- tion it on the watercolor paper. "You will have a few seconds to reposition the flower by carefully sliding it over the glue with a toothpick," she says. Blot gently with tissue to firm the petals into the glue. Continue in this manner, glueing and plac- ing small areas until you have completed the picture. Place under glass into the frame and secure the backi,g. Hang your floral picture away from bright light to prevent the colors from fading. The list of flowers and plants that can be pressed is limitless. But here are a few good ones to try: but- tercups, lobelia, verbena. blue salvia, Queen Anne's lace. larkspur. African violets, ox -eyed daisies. crown of thorn blossoms. coral bells, coreopsis. and the orange series of cosmos. You may find "pressing" so much fun that you will want to plan next year's flower gardens. with pressing in mind." Aspara s t three ye _ s WORTH WAITING FOR Asparagus is first harvested three years after planting, says Horticulturist Ruth Friendship -Keller of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food's rural organizations and services branch. If one -year-old crowns were planted in the spring of 1985. the first harvesting will occur in the spring of 1987. All of the spears that emerge should be removed at harvest. "And remember to limit this first harvest period to two weeks," Friendship -Keller said. A four -to -six-week harvest period is recommended in the fourth year of growth and a full harvest of five -to -six weeks dura- tion may occur the following year. If you are an apartment dweller, try grow- ing certain varieties of cucumber, tomatoes and parsley in hanging baskets along with petunias or other annuals, says Master Gardener Bonnie Warner of RR 3, Englehart, Ont. Master Gardeners are gardening en- thusiasts who have received formal hor- 1 ticultural training through the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food's Master Gardener program. Once trained, Master Gardeners are available to answer questions from the public. You could also grow a tomato plant, sur- rounded by lettuce, parsley, peppers, geraniums and pansies in a balcony -sized patio planter.