Can Fungus Affected Flowers Still Be Preserved in Resin Keepsakes?

September 22, 2025

Finding fungus on your wedding varmala can feel upsetting. The flowers may look dull or have small spots. But this does not always mean your garland is lost. With the right drying and resin work, we can still turn a fungus-affected varmala into a clean and beautiful keepsake that holds your memories safely.

In this blog, we will walk you step by step through how our team at Varmala Preservation handles such cases. You’ll learn how we dry, treat, and embed flowers so fungus never returns — and how your keepsake can still look beautiful for life.

Why Fungus Affects Garland Flowers

Before we see how to save them, let’s understand why fungus appears in the first place. This helps you trust our methods.

• After the wedding, flowers can retain moisture, especially in humid places. That moisture creates a perfect home for fungus (mold, mildew). 
• If petals or leaves are damaged or bruised, they turn brown, soft or weak. Fungus gets easier access there. 
• If flowers are stored in a closed box or in damp air, fungus spores (which float in air) can land and grow. 
• Once fungus sets in, petals may become discolored, soft, or brownish. Their texture changes, losing strength. 

So, yes — fungus can cause damage. But damage does not always mean total ruin.

Can Such Flowers Still Be Preserved?

Short answer: Yes, with careful steps and expert handling.

When you bring a garland that has fungus signs, here’s what we check:

1. Degree of damage — if petals are too decayed or slimy, those parts might be impossible to restore fully
   
2. Which flowers / parts are affected — leaves, petals, small buds, etc.
   
3. Time passed since fungus started — earlier you act, better the chance
   

We accept many fungus-affected garlands, but our success depends on how well we can dry and treat them. With the right drying, treatment, and good resin, we can stop fungus from returning forever.

Our Process: From Fungus to Forever Keepsake

Here is how Varmala Preservation handles fungus-affected garlands, step by step:

1. Inspection and Cleaning

• First, we inspect every flower, petal, leaf.
  
• We gently clean them (if surface fungus is mild) using soft brushes or mild air blower — never soak them in water because that spreads fungus deeper.
  
• If any part is too far gone (rotted beyond safe recovery), we may remove just that part. 

2. Controlled Drying

Drying is the most important step. If any moisture remains, fungus can come back. So we:

• Use drying chambers or low-humidity cabinets
  
• Keep temperature and humidity carefully controlled
  
• Dry slowly, so petals don’t crack or crumble
  
• Rotate and ventilate so all sides dry evenly
  

This controlled drying stabilizes the flower’s structure even if it had fungus.

3. Additional Anti-Fungal Treatment

Once dried:

• We apply safe anti-fungal material (food-safe, museum-grade) to kill any latent spores
  
• Let that treatment rest, so the flower is fully dry again
  
• This step ensures that even invisible spores are neutralized
  

4. Embedding in High-Grade Resin

Now comes the resin step — the heart of preservation:

• We use premium, UV-stable, non-yellowing resins that are also anti-microbial / anti-fungal
  
• These resins do not allow bacteria or fungus to thrive inside
  
• The flower is placed in the mold; resin poured in layers
  
• Curing is done in a sealed, low-moisture environment
  
• Each layer is checked for air bubbles, impurities, or trapped moisture
  

Because the flower is fully dry and the resin is protective, once cured, fungus cannot grow inside the keepsake.

5. Sealing, Finishing, and Frame

• After resin cures, we may polish surfaces, remove rough edges
  
• We seal any seams / joints
  
• Finally, we place the preserved piece into a frame (wood, acrylic, shadowbox)
  
• We often include a desiccant pouch inside the frame to absorb any stray moisture
  

Then your keepsake is ready to display — fungus-free and forever preserved.

Common Changes Fungus Causes & Their Treatment

Even if petals are browned, after resin embedding they often look better — sometimes the change isn’t noticeable in the final keepsake, especially when light plays on the surface.

Does Fungus Ever Come Back After Preservation?

In nearly all cases, no — if the process is done properly. Why:

• The flower is fully dried (no moisture)
  
• Anti-fungal treatment kills spores
  
• The resin is sealed and non-porous
  
• The environment inside the keepsake has no elements for fungus to grow
  

However, to be safe:

• Avoid direct sunlight (can heat and cause micro-cracks)
  
• Don’t expose to extreme humidity
  
• Keep the frame sealed
  

If you follow care tips (we give with the product), the keepsake remains safe from fungus indefinitely.

Why Use Good Resin?

Your choice of resin matters a lot. Here’s why:

• Normal resins may yellow, crack, or let micro-moisture in
  
• Premium resins are UV-stable, anti-yellowing, and seal perfectly
  
• Some resins have added fungicidal or bactericidal agents
  
• Good resins help your keepsake stay clear, strong, and fungus-free for years
  

That’s why we invest in the best resin grades. It ensures your preserved garland stays beautiful and safe.

When Fungus Is Too Severe — What We Recommend

Sometimes, damage is so advanced that full preservation isn’t possible. In those rare cases:

• We may salvage partial pieces — some flowers or petals
  
• We inform you upfront about what can or cannot be saved
  
• In extreme decay, we may decline particular parts
  
• But most of the time, some keepsake is still possible
  

We always keep our clients informed, and we try to preserve as much as possible.

Tips for You (Clients) So Fungus Doesn’t Win

While waiting to send garland to us, here are tips you can follow:

• Don’t keep the garland in plastic bags or sealed boxes
  
• Air-dry it a bit (in shade, no direct sun)
  
• Send it to us ASAP — quicker action means better result
  
• Avoid water or sprays on the garland
  
• Pack it with breathable materials (paper, tissue)
  

These small steps before handing over help us give you the best possible preserved result.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. How quickly should I send my fungus-affected garland to you?
The sooner you send it, the better the result. If we receive it within one or two days after fungus appears, we can save more flowers and detail.

Q2. Can you preserve only part of my garland if the rest is too damaged?
Yes. We can work with selected flowers, buds or leaves from your varmala and create a smaller but still meaningful keepsake if the full garland is not recoverable.

Q3. Do you give updates or previews during the preservation process?
Yes. We share progress pictures so you can see how your flowers are being dried, treated and placed before final resin embedding.

Q4. Can I choose the style of frame or design even if the flowers had fungus?
Absolutely. You can pick from our full range of frames, layouts and designs — fungus treatment does not limit your choice of display style.

Q5. Is there an extra cost for handling fungus-affected flowers?
Sometimes there is a small extra fee for additional cleaning, drying or treatment, but we always inform you in advance before starting.

Q6. Do you offer express preservation for urgent cases?
Yes. We offer a fast-track option where we prioritise your garland to minimise further damage and start preservation quickly.

Final Thoughts & Call to Action

Fungus on your wedding garland may feel like a disaster, but it doesn’t have to be the end of your keepsake dreams. With expert care, thorough drying, anti-fungal treatment, and high-quality resin embedding, Varmala Preservation turns even fungus-affected flowers into beautiful, lasting memories.

If you have a garland that has fungus or you’re unsure, don’t delay. Contact us today at varmalapreservation.com (or via WhatsApp / phone) to share pictures and let us tell you exactly how much we can save.

You can also see our latest preserved varmala frames and customer stories on Instagram here: @varmala_preservation.

Let us help you lock that memory into a gorgeous frame — forever.