RMweb Gold Re6/6 Posted September 11, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 11, 2013 Are you going to treat them with glycerine to preserve them? I've heard differing views on doing this Andy. I did try it using a 50/50 mixture of glycerine and warm water, but with my test it didn't seem to make a lot of difference. Some swear by it. Perhaps I did it with the wrong mixture. Fine stiffish wire inserted down the centre of the stem does work quite well as a straightener. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisr40 Posted September 14, 2013 Author Share Posted September 14, 2013 Hi Andy thanks for the kind words - I hadnt thought of it as a commercial venture but perhaps one day given a bigger greenhouse and a spot of global warming it could be a nice little earner. I was probably going to try the florists wire up the stalk rather than glycerine option - I would be gutted if I dunked them in the mixture, it was wrong and I ruined my efforts so far. I have a few twisted wire trees I have made armatures for in the loft so I may get some snaps and put them on here - don't expect anything wonderful though as my recent efforts with free downloads of build it yourself signalboxes have only served to re-inforce my world class reputation for cack handedness. Best Regards Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold gwrrob Posted September 14, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 14, 2013 I've heard differing views on doing this Andy. I did try it using a 50/50 mixture of glycerine and warm water, but with my test it didn't seem to make a lot of difference. It worked for me and I left them to soak in a bowl overnight.Very supple on removing and not brittle at all. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadow Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 The crop so far, stored in boxes and layed out to dry There are three layers, separated by paper in the first box will try some soaking in glycerine in the next few days. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chubber Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 Sorry, about a year too late with this, but, re the glycerine- When my Mum was still with us I used to get roped in to climb and snip small branches of 'copper beech' trees for winter/dried flower arranging. A real PITA because she insisted it be done before the sun got on them and to hurry to get them home asap so that they could be stood in a water/glycerine mix halfway up their stems in a very tall Kilner jar. There they would stay for more than a week, they appeared to suck up the liquid which went as far as the leaves. [i have no idea what strength mix] She did the same with a plant called 'Paper Moons' [?]. They had circulat flat transparent discs after flowering that contained a seed and with leafy Hawthorn twigs when they had developed berries. Perhaps that is the way it could be done? Doug [if you can eat it, I can grow it but know diddly-squat about 'flooers'] 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
class"66" Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 Very interesting thread... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisr40 Posted August 16, 2015 Author Share Posted August 16, 2015 Afternoon all, resurrecting an old thread I thought I would show something I tried today using left over bits of seamoss that were not really suitable for trees or bushes. Whilst out walking a few weeks back I found dead shrub which looked promising as source of tree skeletons, so I gathered a few bits. Then using a hot glue gun I stuck the little bits of seamoss onto most but not all of the twiggy bits. Sorry haven't got a PIC of that bit. I gave it all a waft over of bargain bin dark brown spray paint and then when dry used spray adhesive to hold on various odds and ends of flock,foam etc. I am quite pleased with the result and I hope people find this a useful way to use up the bits of seamoss left at the end of their box. Best wishes Chris 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Re6/6 Posted August 16, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 16, 2015 Excellent work Chris. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisr40 Posted August 16, 2015 Author Share Posted August 16, 2015 Thanks John. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
class"66" Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 Looks real treat Chris... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
class"66" Posted August 21, 2015 Share Posted August 21, 2015 I realy must try growing this in my green house next year now!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisr40 Posted August 21, 2015 Author Share Posted August 21, 2015 Hi Class 66 Thanks for your post - you cant go far wrong with a warm windowsill or greenhouse, well draining soil and I found allowing them to sit in a shallow tray of water works best. For the price of a packet of seeds you can grow 10 x what you get in forest in a box. Good luck and don't forget to put some pics up as you go Regards Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisr40 Posted October 3, 2015 Author Share Posted October 3, 2015 A few more trees made recently. Seafoam stalks sprayed with mucky brown paint then given a good shake in bag of flock. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
class"66" Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 Very nice work here Chris.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NNR Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 Fascinating thread,thanks,know what I am going to try next spring. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisr40 Posted June 13, 2019 Author Share Posted June 13, 2019 Hello all. A quick addition to an old thread with a suggestion for alternative tree armatures. I have a smoke bush in my garden and the flower heads look like the pictures below. Last autumn I collected a few and dried them before giving them a coat of paint. Last night I was at a loose end so I decided to see how they would look with a bit of foliage added. I think they look okay and would be even better with the trunk beefed up a bit. Happy modelling. Chris 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarriageShed Posted June 17, 2019 Share Posted June 17, 2019 They do look really good, but the main trunk does seem a bit spindly. Even so, I'd be happy to have 2mm versions on my own layout. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisr40 Posted June 17, 2019 Author Share Posted June 17, 2019 37 minutes ago, CarriageShed said: They do look really good, but the main trunk does seem a bit spindly. Even so, I'd be happy to have 2mm versions on my own layout. Thanks. Yup the trunks could do with a bit of das clay or similar unless you are using them as backscene trees. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarriageShed Posted June 17, 2019 Share Posted June 17, 2019 I'll probably have to buy in my trees once my layout gets to that stage. I have too many other commitments to be able to find the time for it, sadly. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisr40 Posted September 1, 2019 Author Share Posted September 1, 2019 Autumn is upon us and the budliea which kept so many butterflies fed is now turning brown and dying back. However the flower stalks would make good trees I thought. Pics of 4 stalks after a quick ping in the oven to kill off any bugs. Then some cheapo Wilkinson spray adhesive and a coat of coarse turf. I am quite pleased with them. Hope it inspires you too. Chris 4 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now