Guest guest Posted July 17, 2004 Report Share Posted July 17, 2004 > I've been picking calendula flowers and dropping the petals in a jar > of olive oil. > > Does anyone know if any of the green can/should .. or should not.. go > in, too? > > When I used dried flowers last year, for my first batch of Calendula > Salve, they were intact blossoms. This year I have enough plants > blossoming well that I have been picking the petals off the fresh > ones. Any thoughts or guidance on that? > > Thanks, > Hi , Calendula flowers are pretty watery. It's best to let them dry, or at least wilt, before infusing to keep the oil from growing undesirables. I don't use any of the green---just the petals. You can dry the flowers whole and then pick off the petals, or pick off the petals and dry them. I think they dry faster if you pluck the petals off first. But you might not always have time to do that immediately. LOL Calendula flowers should be picked late in the day---around 5:00pm. They should feel sticky. Store dried petals in a jar and keep in a dark place (cabinet is fine), and then you can infuse the oil all year as you need it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2004 Report Share Posted July 17, 2004 Thank you, ! Re: Calendula Oil > I've been picking calendula flowers and dropping the petals in a jar > of olive oil. > > Does anyone know if any of the green can/should .. or should not.. go > in, too? > > When I used dried flowers last year, for my first batch of Calendula > Salve, they were intact blossoms. This year I have enough plants > blossoming well that I have been picking the petals off the fresh > ones. Any thoughts or guidance on that? > > Thanks, > Hi , Calendula flowers are pretty watery. It's best to let them dry, or at least wilt, before infusing to keep the oil from growing undesirables. I don't use any of the green---just the petals. You can dry the flowers whole and then pick off the petals, or pick off the petals and dry them. I think they dry faster if you pluck the petals off first. But you might not always have time to do that immediately. LOL Calendula flowers should be picked late in the day---around 5:00pm. They should feel sticky. Store dried petals in a jar and keep in a dark place (cabinet is fine), and then you can infuse the oil all year as you need it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2004 Report Share Posted July 22, 2004 Dawn, Calendula infused oil is very gentle. You can use the whole thing. I suppose I should ask how big the batch will be, except that even if you were only using infused calendula oil and nothing else, it wouldn't be too strong. Tina http://www.essentialherbal.com/ The Essential Herbal Magazine by, for, and about herbie people and the things they love - HERBS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 26, 2004 Report Share Posted July 26, 2004 Thanks to Tina & Sylvia for help with my calendula question. All has turned out well. The baby soap got made AND I've found the limites to my crockpot! LOL!!! 6# of soap is REALLY pushing it! LOL!!! Thank goodness it behaved well! I've planned on growing my own calendula for the last couple of years, but have not decided which side of the house would be best. Here in Central Texas everything needs a little shade, other wise it would scortch in the mid-late day sun. We don't use insecticides around here. Well, we use insecticiders...the feathered two legged kind, chickens. The best little bug getters and entertainment you could ask for. Dawn >Subject: Calendula Oil > >Just superfat with your 1 oz. of calendula oil. Even if it were a >concentrate, in the amounts you're using, it wouldn't be too much. > >If you use your own blossoms, make sure you are not using insecticides. >There are a few good books on organic gardening that will help you out...I >used my own rose petals for years, and my roses were really healthy without >using any stuff on them but homemade. > >Shucky 8-) + > _________________________________________________________________ Is your PC infected? Get a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfee® Security. http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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