Pressed Plants

The instructions are clear and the steps are easy to follow. The interior of the book reminds me of the old books that my grandpa had. Meaning that the plants are roughly sketched.

As a novice to pressing plants I found Linda Lipsen’s book engaging. The passion for the process and end result is clear to the reader. From detailing the supplies needed to the mounting process I found the book to be detailed but not overly burdensome. Lipsen’s section on the ethics of plant collection resonated with me as a new collector. I would recommend this book to others beginning in their plant pressing journey like me.

This how to book is phenomenal. I got it to try to learn how to properly press plants and I did not disappoint.
The details this author gives about the entire process of plant pressing is mind blowing. Tips and tricks to make this easier on you knowing they went through all of this trial and error. Another detail the Author did not skimp on is the illustrations, as a visual learner this is an added bonus.
This book has what to do before you get the plants, how to care for them, press them, and display them. A book with all the info you could need and want and that makes for a fantastic how to book.

A really useful and informative book which would enable a complete beginner to start this unique hobby as it provides all the information needed to get going! Only downside to this book, I felt, was the lack of photos throughout. I was expecting to see beautiful pictures of what was being explained but sadly there were just a few pencil drawings instead.

Kind of boring actually. I was excited to read this but it's all just line drawings and not anything that it could be. Pressed plants can be fascinating, but this should have come with photos and felt more textbook which isn't appealing at all.

This book had the opportunity to be so much for more but for me personally who uses pressed plants in many projects on our farm it fell flat on something that is flat but didn't capture the beauty or awe that they can capture.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher Royal BC Museum the opportunity to read and review Pressed Plants by Linda PJ Lipsen.

I LOVE pressing flowers and different plants. I actually used to do it in the microwave however this book made me want to go back to the natural way. Really beautiful.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for this ARC. This was a quick, but informative read filled with good information on collecting and preserving plants. I used to do this as a child so it was nice to read about how I can collect them as an adult with an updated book. However, I do wish that the illustrations of the plants were either in color or were photos to make them easier to use as reference.

I use to preserved flowers as a kid but haven't in a long time. So this book came very helpful.. also probably gonna be used in my writing for my character. Because this explains how to do it and everything.. especially talks about how to take care of the flower once it was pressed. I found this book useful/helpful. 5 star book.. Highly recommend it

Comprehensive guide to pressing plants.
The illustrations are a beautiful addition providing critical information.
The language is accessible and easy to read, with clear instructions.
A great reference guide for anyone interested in pressing flowers, with a stunning cover that would make a fabulous coffee table book!

Pressed Plants
3.5 Stars

I was hoping Pressed Plants would suggest ways to display collected plants for journaling purposes. I remember doing this as a child. I'm wanting to be creative, while this book is more scientific. So not a good fit for me.

This book reads much like a textbook. While the language is easy to read, it's a very comprehensive guide to pressing flowers. I was quickly overwhelmed by so many pages of words, and I've pressed flowers before. I wish there were more illustrations or photos of real plants to breakup space and as reference. The cover is stunning. I wanted more inspiration inside the book.

Thank you, NetGalley and Royal BC Museum, for an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Publication date: February 10, 2023

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review an advanced reader's copy of this book. (FTC compliance met with this statement.) This in no way affects my review, all opinions are my own, are not a result of compensation and may be affected by the fact that I currently have nothing better to do than read multiple books a day sitting at the nursing home with mom and dad or in front of the a.c.!! (And you would be AMAZED at how much reading you can get done when you are up 90% of the night due to anxiety!)

SYNOPSIS
*****************
A compact and contemporary guide to collecting, drying and storing plant specimens—suitable for both professional researchers and ardent amateurs.

The long-awaited update to Dr. Christoper Brayshaw’s beloved Plant Collecting for the Amateur, Linda P.J. Lipsen's Pressed Plants goes to the heart of professional and amateur plant collecting today.

Rich in illustrations, infographics, and plant photography, this beautiful book balances the ongoing history of plant collection with practical advice, and it includes the latest updates to best practices, such as how to preserve plant material for DNA extraction and how to navigate increasingly complex cultural and conservation considerations.

Pressed Plants responds to the recent revival of enthusiasm for nature, biodiversity, and conservation with an increased emphasis on how to document the biodiversity around us. It will help any reader feel that they can understand how to properly document plant biodiversity so it’s understood, valued, and protected.

Okay, this was a LOT MORE TECHNICAL than I expected...I got the book as I am cleaning out the apartment and bookshelves of my parents and I keep finding leaves and flowers between the pages of bibles and atlases!!!! I skimmed through the book as it was not exactly what I expected, but it looks nicely presented and understandable. If you have a plant and weed geek in your home...I don't mean pot, but whatever floats your boat...this would be a great gift.

Of course, if you want to just put plants in old books, that is your right...as long as you read the book I am not going to judge you!

My favourite hobby this year was really getting into pressing plants (more than just casually doing it) and boy do I wish I read this before diving in learning as I went. I love the the passion and art of it, but I feel like even those who have tried pressing could learn from this too. It goes into detail. But it isn’t too overwhelming either. I really appreciated touching on ethics too. Learnt some great tips. All in all a lovely dedication to one of my fav things to do.
(Thanks NetGalley for ARC)

This is a very concise guide to collecting, identifying and preserving plants for collection and research archives. Lipsen is thorough and passionate about her subject. She enthuses about the importance of paying attention to the environment and taking specimens with care and respect. She refers to Robin Wall Kimmerer's Honourable Harvest notes from Braiding Sweetgrass. I really liked this. This delightful little book is motivating. I wanted to get straight outdoors and look at what was growing. I think I've found a new hobby.

This review was originally published on NetGalley.com. I was given an ebook freely by NetGalley and the book’s publisher in return for a voluntary and honest review.

Pressed Plants: Making a Herbarium
By Linda PJ Lipsen and illustrator Derek Tan

I have a bad habit of collecting hobbies and after reading this book I want to make my own herbarium. Linda P.J. Lipsen is such an inviting writer. She wrote and described every single thing a person needs to get started in the field. Not only that but Derek Tan’s illustrations are clear and easy to follow. Lipsen starts from the beginning and goes through the entire process of supplies, searching, documenting, collecting, pressing and displaying your plants. She has three separate symbols she uses in the margins to further break down areas in the process that might be confusing.

I dare you to not press at least one plant after reading this book.