Quick! Gather the goldenrod!

Rule number one in posts.  Before you hit submit, check for typos.  I just violated rule  number one.

Good idea, but I would definatley take a Claritan before working on making those trees.  I am mildly allergic to that stuff.

Good idea.  Goldenrod is in abundance in nearby areas around here.

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Dennis

We used them this year for our larger trees by just spraying them (dried) with several rattle can greens. Looks pretty good too.

I think hairspray would tend to leave the goldenrod very sticky. It might affect the way any paint applied afterward would look. Sticky trees would collect a lot of dust.

I'd skip that and go straight for the green spray paint. 

Haven't actually done it, but remember a recommendation to gather twigs,weeds, etc. for landscaping, then, boil them in glycerin.  This replaces the water in the plants with glycerin which keeps them from drying out and becoming brittle.

Sounds like I would need Benedryl for that project!

Glycerin was recommended by Lionel way back when, but where in the world do you get the stuff?

Any pharmacy has glycerin on the shelves. 

Full strength glycerine (the kind you want) is NOT cheap!  Yes, a pharmacy can sell you 8 oz. bottles but it sure won't go far.  It would be best to look up a local chemical supply house and buy a pail of it and share with friends.  Many years ago I used to buy it that way for a process in the boxmaking operation I managed.  Around 1995 it cost about $75 for 5 gallons.

In that same era I gathered goldenrod in my backyard and hung it in my basement to dry and to make some fine trees.  On the next day I was sneezing and all stuffed up for three days so out it went!

Phil

I thank you.......

From my point of view, brittle is good. The plant will hold its form. Granted, if you bump into it, it will break, eventually. Just be a little careful when you plant them. If they break, so what? They are cheap. Just a little paint, glue (maybe) and ground foam. You can afford to loose a couple and not hurt the piggy bank.

For those of you that insist on the glycerin treatment, read on. Gylcerin is a combustable organic compound.It WILL BURN! All you have to do is get it hot enough, and then provide an ignition source. What makes this stuff nasty is that the flame is nearly invisible, so you may not know that the stuff has caught until it is WAY too late! If you do decide to go ahead anyway, at least do it outside well away from your house. Use an electric hot plate with a GFIC. Personally, I can't be bothered. I'll continue to plant fresh brittle ones as needed.

Chris

LVHR

Glory Bee Foods (and Bee Keeping Supply) in Oregon has Glycerin 1 gallon $24.95. I have done business with them for over 15 years. Good quality stuff and they ship quickly.