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Question regarding floral installation

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Jessica Lewis

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Hi guys, Basically for my third year degree show I am doing an installation involving jars of flowers in liquid. The general thing I wanted to achieve is coming on well as I aimed to extract the pigment from the flowers. However, something else has happened along with this which is making the jars look a bit gruesome. They are going mouldy! There has basically been a layer of mould forming on the top of the contents in the jars and you can kind of see it through the jar when you look up close. Obviously I know that this is bound to happen but I was wondering if anyone had an ideas of how I can stop or at least slow down the mould growth, whether this means putting something in the jar with the flowers or something else, I have no idea what to do. I want to avoid completely replacing the contents of the jars as they are time based pieces so restarting a jar would completely change how it looks in the display. I would be hugely grateful for anyone who has some ideas or suggestions to help me out here. I will attach some photo's so you can see just what I am talking about. Thanks in advance, Jess

Syd Edward

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I am afraid you have come to the wrong forum, which is to do with art. Might I suggest you try Google with your question and I am sure they will give guidance. Good luck...
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, NAPA

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Try a drop or three of vinegar in the water. Anything stronger would be likely to cause other and worse problems, but - this might work. Also, don't leave too much room for air in the jar. Water plus air plus plant material will inevitably cause mould - if you can fill the jar to the brim, then ensure the lid is firmly fixed, preferably with an air-tight seal, and add the vinegar to the water - probably white vinegar for preference - you might keep it at bay.

Alan Owen

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you could paint some paper flowers in bright acrylics ,make them very colourful and stick them on the insides of larger jars ,enlaping each other,then enhance them further with some outside colours to the jars ,, like a different coloured area around the bottom half inch of each one,and a couple of red petal shapes here and there around the top half ,not obliterating the inside coloured flowers ,

Edited
by alanowen

Moi 17

Linda Wilson

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I think that the mould is growing because air has go in. If you had filled the jar's completely and my be even turned them upside down, then perhaps you would not have go the problem. To stop mould or algae in water, the addition of anhydrous copper sulphide might do the trick. Your local water garden centre may be able to help you. Best Wishes Linda
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Alan Green

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Posted
Leave them as they are; they''ll probably give you a First for mouldy flowers

Lucy Gilmore

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Hi Jess, I was thinking about jam making before I got to Marjorie's post! I'd agree on removing the mould if you can and topping up the water to the very brim. That way, even if you do get some muld it will be so high up in the rim you can cheat and no one will be able to see it. And in all seriousness, you'd be surprised what you can find on youtube - I bet someone out there has made a comparable tutorial.

Edited
by Lucy22