QuestionDear Dr. Roark,
I've read a few of your articles regarding coating fresh flowers (specifically orchids) with resin to preserve them. I tried to do the procedure myself with little luck. The resin doesn't seem to be hardening as much as I like (after over a week of drying). The flowers are still very flexible. I added catalyst to the resin as stated on the container, and have experimenting with even adding more than necessary, but still no luck. Also, each day the flowers get paler. What was once bright purple turned into pale, translucent white. Do you have any advice?
AnswerErica,
Hello.First it would help if I knew the flower species you were using. One thought is that the catalyst is too old to work. It also may be the wrong resin for your application as some are rock hard and others flexible ( it sounds like you have a flexible type). The more catalyst you add is not a good process..it will always give you variable results. Do check the date of the manufacture though and if you just bought it- return it as it came to you in less than salable condition from the sound of it.Many times small stores and vendors keep merchandise far beyond its usability for an intended purpose.
Some other points: make sure you are measuring and not " eyeballing" the liquids. If you are using plastics to measure , mix and pour sometimes the materials degrade/ dissolve some types (of plastics ) rapidly, and you must use paper or glass for preparing the fluids.
Another thought is that the floral material is not quite dried enough. If it's turning colours after embedding it is not dry and/or light is affecting it.Some species like luteas, violets, orchis, etc. will change in light regardless of how dried.
Another possibility for you may be environmental factors affecting the outcome.Excessive humidity will effect a curing process of any resin.Are you in the mountains without a dehumidifier?Are you in the lowlands without a dehumidifier? Humidity is the bane of resin curing. An option is to cure under a n incandescent light ( same principle as hatching a chicken egg in grade school- it's just enough heat to vaporize the humidity if there is no other dry place to work.
So if you'll get back to me with the type of resin,any date on the can and on the catalyst, the mixing proportions you have tried ( always write down your formulations in case one pour works out well when experimenting !) your environment ( where you work) and the floral materials you are working with I'll try and be more specific to your situation.Also, if you'll give me an idea of what you want to achieve - some people want a pliable flower and others want it rigid like glass I can maybe find out something in the chemistry of the resin you have on hand already!Sorry that this is all just speculative, but with more details I can probably figure out where the problem lies.
Best Regards, Ari
