Strengthening Medium

[BCR751]

I have found a local weed that looks like it will be a good candidate for emulating aspen trees.  Problem is they are very fragile.  I would like to soak them in a mixture of white glue and water and let them dry, hopefully stiffening them up a bit.  I'm not sure of the ratio of glue to water should be.  Any suggestions?

Doug

[Big Train]

I try any ratio that seems to work for ballasting. 2 parts water to 1 part white glue, or even 1:1 for a start.....Maybe add a drop or two of dish soap as a wetting agent.

[Lemosteam]

@Hornwrecker has a soking method to make Supertrees more pliable and flexible prior to adding foilage.  I would think that stiffening them with glue might make them more rigid?

[SP-Wolf]

I would recommend using a mixture of matt medium (50/50 - with water and a drop of dish soap). It is stronger than white glue and has some flexibility to it.  And - it is flat. White glue has a shine to it.

Just a thought,
Wolf

[jpwisc]

I would recommend using a mixture of matt medium (50/50 - with water and a drop of dish soap). It is stronger than white glue and has some flexibility to it.  And - it is flat. White glue has a shine to it.

Just a thought,
Wolf

This is exactly the mix I use. It doesn't make the trees invincible, but they are more flexible than without the soak.

[peteski]

IIRC, the old-fashion lichen scenic material is boiled in a water-glycerine mix to make it very rubbery and pliable.  Maybe something like that could be used for the trees?

[BCR751]

A little pliability may be ok but I really need to stiffen up the weed, especially the stem.  This weed isn't a woody plant, it's completely herbaceous (how's that for a 50cent word) so it needs to be kept from bending.  I'll try the matte medium and see how that works.  Didn't think of the shinyness.  Thanks Wolf.

Doug

[Lemosteam]

A little pliability may be ok but I really need to stiffen up the weed, especially the stem.  This weed isn't a woody plant, it's completely herbaceous (how's that for a 50cent word) so it needs to be kept from bending.  I'll try the matte medium and see how that works.  Didn't think of the shinyness.  Thanks Wolf.

Doug

Ah, understood, weed=wilty.

[peteski]

How about giving them a dip or two in Minwax polyurethane clear lacquer?  Either the smelly stuff or water-based version.

[nkalanaga]

If it's a herbaceous weed, could you cram a wire up the trunk?  Many such plants are hollow, or have a very soft interior.  Or isn't it straight enough for that?

[BCR751]

If it's a herbaceous weed, could you cram a wire up the trunk?  Many such plants are hollow, or have a very soft interior.  Or isn't it straight enough for that?

It's straight enough but the stem diameter is really small.  These are meant to represent aspen trees in the far north of BC which don't get more than about 8" in diameter and most are smaller than that.   I suppose I could try inserting some small brass wire up the stems but that could get really expensive for the number of trees I have to make.  Good idea, though.

Doug