Lately, we've been unable to find Ming Fern to make more realistically sized pine trees. Our local sources (Michaels, flower mart, craft stores, etc.) completely ran out and their suppliers were out. We found some about a year ago, but that supply dried up. I don't know how the situation is for others making conifers using this technique, but we found another supplier and would like to throw as many tree-builders his way so he'll keep stocking Ming Fern. The supplier is:
JR Roses
(305) 970-9489
It's a regular flower shop, and I'm sure they were quite surprised to get an order from a model railroad club, but they delivered. The product arrived still moist in the packaging -- an indicator that it was packed fresh before being shipped out. You do use quite a bit of it to make a 20" tall tree.