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My folks gave me some HIGHLY fragrant old fashioned roses that have grown on the family property for over 40 years. They are pink and very prolific, the smell is indescribably heavenly. As seems to be the case in the past few years they will bloom and I get to enjoy them for a while.............until a heavy rain comes and drowns them.

I'm willing to spend some cash to try to preserve this annual treat without going absolutely crazy and only for my own personal use.

Has anyone had any success with a home EO still like this?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002065JL2/ref ... 2HNH4G7FN8

In addition to the roses, I would also like to be distilling catnip (for an insect repellent) and english lavender.

Just seeing your title, I was all prepared to tell you that you need to have a distiller to get essential oils; many people don't realize that. But you are way ahead. I haven't used one just like that, but it looks very nice and like what I have been wanting. If I weren't packing up to move, I would order myself one.

I have used two different home distillers and am not satisfied with either one. I wrote about it here: https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/vi ... er#p348256

Even though I haven't been satisfied, and what I have produces more or less concentrated hydrosol, rather than actual essential oil, still I have loved having them and my hydrosol from the stove top (steam) distiller, is good enough for many of the things I use it for, like scenting soaps and candles. I think what you have linked is good equipment for a very reasonable price and you will get a lot of use out of it for a long time. Go for it!

PS, if you get it, please let us know how it works out for you!

I'm going to try it and see how it works getting an actual EO from any of my plant materials. The first to bloom will be the the lilacs (which I omitted from my list), and that's not that far off. Even if I get a good amount of stoutly fragrant hydrasol I'll be happy! I'll post the attempts, failures, successes and lessons learned on this thread.

Terrific! Looking forward to hearing how it works for you...