Anyone made a plant press?

[RobertN]

My wife and I are taking a couple horticulture classes through the local JC. We will need to press some plant samples. I am looking for plans so we can build our own press. Anyone ever done this? I'm guessing there are a few people who may have played with these things on this forum /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[jyoutz]

Yes, as a forester I took some dendrology, botany courses in college. Here's an easy way to make a press. Cut a bunch of 1" x 1" pine board sticks. Lay them parallel in a row with about 1" gap between sticks. Glue 3 stick pieces perpendicular to the row of sticks. (you will end up with a rectangular piece with 1" airgaps. Cut all the pieces to make a press about 12" x 18" in size. Make 2 of these rack assemblys. Then cut 2 pieces of 1/4" pegboard 12"x 18" in size. When dry, your press is done. Then put together by putting the flat side of the rack assembly against the pegboard. Then make a sandwhich with the pegboards on the inside and use 2 straps with cinch buckles to hold everything together. Use enough strap length to allow a filled press dimension of about 6". Anymore plants will not dry properly. Then cut lots of sheets of thick corrugated cardbord to the 12"x18" dimension. Use the press by putting a sheet of newspaper next to the cardboard, then the plant, then another sheet of paper, then another sheet of cardboard, and so on... Use the straps to press the plants and hold the assembly together. Have fun!

 

[bgott]

This might be overly simple but we made plant presses in, I'd say, 4th grade or so by wrapping the sample we wanted to press in some wax paper and putting it in between the pages of a book. Some added weight and it worked fine. Expectations were probably a little lower back then but it might be worth a try! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[RobertN]

That's how we will start /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. But, we have to do over 100 pressings each for just one class /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif.

 

[RobertN]

What do you think of using thumb screws at the corners instead of straps? How hard or easy is it to hold everything straight while you set and adjust the straps?

 

[jyoutz]

I think you'll find that 2 straps are the quickest and easiest way to go. you need to place them about 1/4 of the way in from each end to get the pressure needed to press plants. The thumbscrews would work but I think would be very slow and cumbersome to use. Plus the straps will permit a greater thickness of materials inside the press. Just go to a hardware store and pick up about 6' of 1" nylon strap and 2 of those adjustable plastic connectors.

 

[VermontDeere]

My wife made one for her college courses. 2 pieces of plywood cut to 3'x2'. She squeezes them together with 2 straps. In between she uses pieces of cardboard and newspaper (I think to soak up the moisture).

 

[DocHeb]

Put the plant specimens between two sheets of dry Kraft paper (grocery bags) with several layers of newspaper between each "Kraft Paper - Plant Sandwich". Put several "sandwiches" between two sheets of 3/4" plywood.

Keeping the topic relevant - drive and park the rear wheel of your '41 Farmall on it overnight. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[fishman]

Straps work just great for plant presses.

 

[RobertN]

Here\'s the press!

Here is the press I built with input from everyone here. My wife thinks it's over built /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif We have our first pressing going right now. I'll post a picture when we get a good sample.

Thanks to all!