Dandelion petals in CP soap?

[gemsupthepoley]

Hi folks.

T
the dandelions are out!!! I've got some in the dehydrator for an oil infusion and I'm wondering what they are like in a CP soap. Will the colour go and turn brown?

Is it worth it?

Thanks

 

[Seawolfe]

Try it!! report back!!

 

[not_ally]

Everything seems to go brown except for calendula, dang it. I am always hoping to find botanicals that will not go yucky, but have not had much luck. I would love for someone to opine with something else that will work (even just on top). The last time I used rose petals on top they went brown and I had to painstakingly dig them out.

 

[OliveOil2]

There is a Soaping101 video on using dandelion as a colorant, the color wasn't anything special. I have to include this information, I am not trying to be critical, but I am extremely allergic to dandelion, to the point where contact can send me to the ER. I do not have hay fever or any other similar allergies. This is what the University of Maryland Medical Center has to say about dandelion. Keep in mind that it affects 10-20% of the population.

"Dandelion is generally considered safe. Some people may have an allergic reaction from touching dandelion, and others may get mouth sores.

If you are allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigold, chamomile, yarrow, daisies, or iodine, you should avoid dandelion.

In some people, dandelion can cause increased stomach acid and heartburn. It may also irritate the skin.

People with kidney problems, gallbladder problems, or gallstones should ask their health care provider before eating dandelion"

 

[gemsupthepoley]

Och I'll just put them in. What's the worst that could happen!!!

At least I'll know without labels that it's dandelion!!!

Will report back with pics. Now to pick up some Marigold (calendula) seeds for the garden

 

[MorpheusPA]

Och I'll just put them in. What's the worst that could happen!!!

At least I'll know without labels that it's dandelion!!!

Will report back with pics. Now to pick up some Marigold (calendula) seeds for the garden

The worst is that they go brown. No biggie.

You can get standard marigold seeds at your grocery store this time of year, but if I might suggest as a gardener? See if they have the Janie variety. They're short, compact, attractive, blossom heavily all season long, and are available in a decent range of marigold colors (mostly yellows, golds, and oranges).

If you prefer the "red" marigolds, the Durango series has some lovely mahogany and mahogany-and-yellow blooms. The habit is the same as the Janie, but they're slightly less constant bloomers.

Both can be planted inside now (if north) or outside (south) for blossoming in 60-70 days. Mine are downstairs under light banks, 40 days old, and getting ready for planting around May tenth.

 

[gemsupthepoley]

Thanks for the info MorpheusPA. A quick search reveals that I could get the Durango range but nothing obvious on the Janie.

Frost still possible hear until end of May so plenty of time for planting. Thanks again.

 

[MorpheusPA]

Thanks for the info MorpheusPA. A quick search reveals that I could get the Durango range but nothing obvious on the Janie.

Frost still possible hear until end of May so plenty of time for planting. Thanks again.

If you're inclined, Park Seed has a number of Janie marigolds. This year I went with Janie Gold and Janie Orange to round out the ton of red stuff going in.

 

[gemsupthepoley]

I'm in the UK so will have to get what's available locally. Will have another look for the Janie series.

thanks

 

[not_ally]

Gems, between you and the Efficacious Gentleman I am saying "och" and "aye" in my head now I am a small woman of Indian descent with an American accent, so I don't let it out of my mouth, though!

 

[dixiedragon]

I do wonder what is so special about calendula that it survives.

Some vendors (such as Nurture) claim that their blue cornflower petals will keep their color on top of soap. I haven't tried it.

 

[not_ally]

I've heard that too, DD. Might add a small amount on my next Mad Oils order (they have good botanicals). It would be nice to have a pretty blue on top.

 

[MorpheusPA]

I do wonder what is so special about calendula that it survives.

Some vendors (such as Nurture) claim that their blue cornflower petals will keep their color on top of soap. I haven't tried it.

At a guess, the very thick, waxy cuticle on the flower petals? Calendula are unbelievably tolerant of most conditions, including being extremely drought tolerant due to that fact and that their leaves are similarly protected.

If that's the case, I'd look at flowers that were native to semi-arid locales, areas with very high winds, and highly variable temperatures that include flowering during hot periods. Plus those with long blooming periods where the individual flower lasts a while.

It's only a guess, but might be worth some consideration. As such, I might start with other species in the Tagetes genus and expand out to other tolerant species of the Asteraceae family if that works. There are certainly enough of those!

Has anybody tried sunflower petals, cut and dried? They're a distant relative and might give some indication.

 

[MorpheusPA]

I do wonder what is so special about calendula that it survives.

Some vendors (such as Nurture) claim that their blue cornflower petals will keep their color on top of soap. I haven't tried it.

I love it when hobbies overlap. Cornflower is another in the Asteraceae family. Which is no big surprise, solidly 80% of the flowers in my garden are as I like them. However, it's another one that blooms for fairly long periods, is durable, and not very touchy on care.

A quick look at the species shows that the durability probably isn't the pigmentation. It uses the same pigment as roses, which aren't durable in CP, just in a slightly different form with different associations.

 

[Lindy]

Blue Malva does stay blue on top of the soap.....

 

[not_ally]

Thanks, Lindy! I am going to see where I can get some, do you have any recommendations for sources?

Morpheus, now I want to see pictures of your garden. I love to garden but am currently living in an apt w/a small patio that is covered with pots. I just cut most of them off b/c they were so rootbound. *So* not the same thing (imagine sad faced emoticon here, not sure how to do that.)

 

[gemsupthepoley]

I have a wild flower meadow to plant soon and blue cornflower is in the mix, soon to be in a soap near you!!!

 

[MorpheusPA]

Thanks, Lindy! I am going to see where I can get some, do you have any recommendations for sources?

Morpheus, now I want to see pictures of your garden. I love to garden but am currently living in an apt w/a small patio that is covered with pots. I just cut most of them off b/c they were so rootbound. *So* not the same thing (imagine sad faced emoticon here, not sure how to do that.)

You did ask. This is the north face of the western garden. Three of four sides of the house have gardens, for a total of ten planting areas and 2,000 square feet. An example photo is below, and I post everything to my blog: http://thegreengreengrassofhome.blogspot.com/

Not to completely derail, but rootbound plants can be lifted, the roots trimmed, the top thinned, and replanted (with new soil to replace the stuff you cut away). They usually do very well with that, although it does depend on the species.

 

[Rowan]

I love this forum. A parcel arrived 2 days ago with blue malva flowers which I'd wanted to try in bath bombs. Now I find I can also use a light sprinkling on top of my soap, I am so happy. Thanks Lindy!

 

[not_ally]

Wow, you were not kidding. I am a gardener, but you are a GARDENER. I am admiring and jealous at the same time. So beautiful, and I bet you have planned it so there is something to look at year round. It is going to take me a while to read all of your blog posts :