<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto">Hi Gretchen <div>This is a tricky one as preservation of fugitive pigments that flowers contain is a bit of a biochemical mixture. Someone may have experience of this but the slightly oily texture of vodka might be good as a short term preservative. Adding some Bitrex, denatonium benzoate, should discourage anyone sampling! Or use tubes with tight closures?<br><br><div id="AppleMailSignature" dir="ltr">With all good wishes, Simon <div>Simon Moore MiSct, FLS, RRScI, ACR,</div><div>Conservator of natural sciences </div><div>Sent from my iPad</div></div><div dir="ltr"><br>On 7 May 2021, at 21:36, Gretchen Meier <<a href="mailto:gameier@d.umn.edu">gameier@d.umn.edu</a>> wrote:<br><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr">Hi there!<div>Is there a recommended ETOH concentration for preserving flowers for later dissection? In a pinch, I've used cheap vodka (about 40%) but I'm not sure I want to bring that into a classroom. Any suggestions?<br><div><div><br></div>-- <br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr">Gretchen Meier (<i>she/her/hers</i>)</div><div dir="ltr"><div>Olga Lakela Herbarium (DUL)</div><div>University of Minnesota Duluth</div><div><a href="mailto:gameier@d.umn.edu" target="_blank">gameier@d.umn.edu</a></div><div>218.726.6542</div><div><br></div><div><i>Naturum expellas furca, tamen usque recurret - Homer </i></div><div>'you may drive nature out with a pitchfork, but she will come hurrying back'</div><div><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span><div><br><br><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
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