Bulk Waxflower

About Bulk Waxflower

Wax flowers, also known as waxflower plants, are deciduous or evergreen shrubs that begin to produce flowers in the dead of winter (unlike other Australian native flowers). Their flowers, which are a deep purple color, bring a splash of color into the dreary season and continue to do so until late spring. They are a well-liked option in the cut flower industry due to their high quality and versatility in floral arrangements.

The waxflower requires very little care, requiring only light pruning and only a small amount of water on a regular basis. It is able to flourish in almost any environment, but it does particularly well in sandy soil because it is so common along coastlines. Be sure to give it plenty of water while it’s still young, but once it matures, it can survive in relatively dry conditions. Still, water the plant during the growing season to encourage flower production, and place it in an area that gets plenty of sunlight.

If you want to grow wax flower plants in your garden, here is a complete guide to their care, including waxflower facts as well as instructions on how to grow wax flowers!

 

WaxFlower Facts

Wax flowers are plants that are indigenous to Australia, more specifically Western Australia. These Australian plants are evergreen shrubs that can withstand frost and produce flowers from the end of winter into the beginning of spring. The Chamelaucium species, which include waxflower plants, are classified within the Myrtaceae family. Due to the fact that the blooms can last for up to three weeks after being cut, they are very popular as cut flowers.

The waxy texture of the blooms of the wax flower gave rise to the plant’s common name. It comes in a wide variety of colors, ranging from deep purple to pink and even white flowers.

 

FAQ

How to press flowers with wax paper?

Homemade Press

Presses made at home can be constructed with components that are simple to source from around the house. These things include bricks, corrugated cardboard, newspaper or blotting paper, flat boards, heavy books, and tissue paper or paper towels.

Position the flowers and foliage so that they are sandwiched between two sheets of tissue paper, paper towel, or any other paper that is thin and porous. Spend some time arranging the flowers in the way that you envision them looking after they have been dried.

Absorbent paper should be carefully wrapped around the porous paper that is holding your flowers and foliage in place. Newspapers are the most common form of media and also the most affordable. Blotting paper is more expensive than regular paper, but it can be reused and is more absorbent than regular paper.

Flower pressers with more experience recommend folding anywhere from three to twelve sheets of newspaper in order to absorb excess moisture. If you choose to use a smaller number of sheets, you will need to replace the newspaper with new, dry paper once every day for the first several days, and then once every few days after that.

During the drying process, you must take care not to move the flowers and foliage or remove them from in between the sheets of porous paper. If you do either of these things, the flowers and foliage will become wrinkled and curled. It is possible to dry flowers in layers by using corrugated cardboard to separate each successive layer as they are dried.

The drying chamber that you have just finished building needs to have some weight placed inside of it. Flat boards should be placed above and below the press, and heavy books or bricks should be used to press it down. Your flowers will be completely dry in approximately two to three weeks’ time.

Press Standardization

Standard presses can be found in the majority of craft stores. They are typically constructed using plywood boards that are fastened together using four bolts and wing nuts at each corner. Plants are compressed by placing them between sheets of blotting paper and corrugated cardboard in a pressing machine.

It is important to avoid stacking the plants too high in the press. Before adding another batch of flowers, make sure the previous batch is completely dry and remove them. There are significant differences in the amount of moisture present in flowers at each stage of the drying process. Keep in mind that it is essential to dry the flowers as rapidly and completely as is humanly possible.

The wing nuts are used to make adjustments to the pressure. Beginning with light pressure will allow the flowers to have some air circulation as the process continues. After a few days, you should put more pressure on them.

 

How to preserve flowers with wax?

You’ll be left wondering why you didn’t give this method of preserving flowers with wax a try earlier given how simple it is. Obviously, in order to make the flowers last longer, here are a few things you can do. When my husband surprised me with this beautiful bouquet, I knew right away that I wanted to find a unique way to preserve several of the flowers. Although I had seen the wax technique before, I had no idea how simple it was to put into practice until my husband showed me how it was done.

If you want to keep flowers fresh for longer by using wax, you’re going to need a good source of wax! This can be old candles from dollar stores, unused Scentsy tarts that have lost their scent, or plain paraffin wax, which is what we’ve chosen to work with in the tutorial.

Next, you’ll need a container in which to melt the wax; the following three options are good ones to consider for this step:

Before we get started, I want to warn you that paraffin wax is EXTREMELY flammable, so if you plan to melt it over an open flame, you need to take very careful precautions to avoid getting burned. Employ the lowest heat setting that is available, and under no circumstances should you leave the stove unattended.

The third and final option is to simply heat the wax in a cooking pot that is no more than half a quart in capacity.

Just until the wax melts, heat it at a temperature between 130 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit (maximum). In temperatures lower than that, the wax will not adhere to the flowers in the correct manner. Take care not to burn yourself as you remove the wax from the heat source.

If you can’t stick your finger in it without getting burned, the temperature is too high, and the flowers will wilt if it continues to be that way.

If you have a slow cooker that is either 1 or 2 quarts in capacity, you can make cleanup much simpler by lining the slow cooker with a slow cooker liner.

Alternatively, you could use a repurposed can of soup or vegetables that has had its label removed, as well as been thoroughly washed and dried, and this will also work wonderfully. To melt the wax, just place it in the can, add hot water to the slow cooker until it reaches halfway full, and then use the slow cooker as a double boiler to melt the wax.

 

What are wax flowers?

The Chamelaucium Uncinatum, also known as Geraldton Wax, variety of this charming little shrub is by far the most popular. Their flowers resemble those that are found on tea trees, and because of their delicate appearance and sweet fragrance, they are an excellent choice for including in your home garden, on your kitchen table, or in your wedding bouquet.

The colors of the petals can range from white to a deep plum or even purple, and they typically bloom in the months of summer and autumn.

The umbels of the waxflower, which are actually quite waxy in texture, carry with them a profound and emotionally charged symbolism. Not only are they known to spread joy and happiness simply based on their looks, but their prolonged vase life is said to represent a long and happy marriage, particularly in Australia, which is where the blooms originate. In addition, their appearance is known to spread joy and happiness simply based on their looks.

In light of the fact that we are discussing love, waxflower also represents the kind of love that is profound and enduring. This kind of love has the capacity to weather any length of time, any number of tests, or any unwavering challenges that life may throw its way.

Our waxy friends have also come to represent wealth and riches over time, not just in terms of monetary wealth, but also in terms of quality of life and love, both in others and within oneself, which aligns directly with the naturally robust and sturdy nature of wax.

 

How to wax flowers?

1. Make use of recently cut flowers that have their blooms fully developed. The most beautiful flowers have petals that are rigid, as petals that are too delicate fall apart. Roses and lilies are both beautiful options to consider.
2. In a pot set over simmering water, melt one pound of paraffin wax. Always remember to move the paraffin away from the flame before melting it!
3. The temperature is very important here. Warm the wax to between 130 and 150 degrees. Utilize a thermometer to ensure that the process remains at the correct temperature throughout. If the temperature is too low, the wax will not coat the flowers effectively, and if it is too high, the flowers will be burned.
4. Trim the length of the flower stems to between 2 and 3 inches.
5. Take your freshly cut flowers and, holding each one by the base of the stem, submerge the flower head in wax until it is completely covered. When you are waxing them, you should approach them at a slight angle rather than head on, and you should make sure not to touch the sides of the double boiler at any point. Immediately lift out, and then tilt the pot so that any excess wax can drip into it. If you are waxing a flower that has a lot of petals, you might want to put some wax in the middle of the flower so that it is completely covered. To wax small blooms, you can either use tweezers or insert a toothpick into the center of the flower and then dip it into the wax.
6. When the flowers need to be cooled, place the stem of each blossom either in floral foam or on its side on a tray lined with parchment paper. In exactly five minutes, it will reach its final temperature and completely solidify. Take special care when you’re working with the flowers!
7. Waxing the stems is the final step in the process, and it is now time to do so. Wax the stems of the blooms once the petals have hardened, making sure to hold the flower steady while dipping the stem into the wax.
8. When it comes to displaying these waxed flowers, you have an almost unlimited number of options. You can showcase them on their own, use them to make cards, display them in a centerpiece, use them when wrapping a gift, arrange them around a candle… the possibilities are endless! You can highlight them in a variety of ways, one of which is to put them on display in a straightforward cup of appropriate size and then cover the cup with a glass display dome or bell jar. Simply cut the stems of your flowers to a variety of lengths, and then secure them with a rubber band. After you have arranged the flowers in the cup carefully, fill the small cup with floral foam and set it aside. If you so desire, you are able to accessorize the tree with various ornaments.

 

How to press flowers without wax paper?

Beci Orpin is an Australian collage artist, craft artist, and artist extraordinaire; as you probably already know, I am a huge fan of her work, and you can read an interview with her right here! She has published yet another book, proving once again how prolific she is. This time, the topic is activities and creations that can be done with materials gathered from the great outdoors. It goes by the name Sunshine Spaces, and you should absolutely include it in your collection of craft books. It covers a lot of ground that an outdoors enthusiast just starting out should know, such as how to care for indoor plants, how to use natural dyes, and other fun projects. Today, she is going to show you how to make pressed flowers using three different techniques by sharing the tutorial that she created.

Beci Orpin is without a doubt one of the most motivational creatives I know, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be able to share this tutorial with you on how to press flowers with her. She is a talented artist and illustrator who creates amazing works of handiwork, and I consider it a great honor to be able to impart some of her knowledge to you.