Preserving Plants with Glycerine (Frugal Wargames Foliage)

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In this foliage technical terrain tutorial, we go through preserving plants with glycerine, giving you a solid base of knowledge to give it a go yourself!
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[@marionarmstrong6877]

Try using a piece of window screen or polyester fiber cloth under the leaf so when you lift them out of the water they are cradled on the screen and keep their shape.

[@florianbeck4283]

Just a small scientific correction: Glycerin is neither fat not lipids. But Glycerin is a part of all fat molecules. Fat molecules are chemically a glycerin ester of fatty acids. Oh, and chlorophyll has nothing to do with chlorine (besides their name which probably gave both of them their names).

[@montananerd8244]

Oooh I’m just trying to preserve juniper boughs but now I know how to get my game obsessed kid into foraging 😂😂😂

[@Goulmy86]

I was working in my garden.Had a crazy terrain idea, with the leftovers. Put them in the sun to dry.... Watched this and went crazy... Stopped the video. Put them in water... resummed the video... AND THAN YOU GO ON ABOUT HOW WARGAMERS DONT NEED IT. The missus just broke down laughing.... Thanks Mel!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

That'll teach you to watch the whole video first! :-D

[@karellibal8188]

If you lay the leaves between the paper towel and the glass sheets and submerge it in the glycerine the leaves stay just like before :)

[@atatro9492]

Thank u for this tip!

[@LeadershipAndHappinesssCoach]

How do you do this? Please explain at length

[@billd.iniowa2263]

Thanx Mel, a few folks have been waiting for this I know. Good job getting right on it for us. My primary use will be making ground clutter that doesnt turn to dust.

[@carolchampon7743]

You can thin oil paint, but you can't water it down. Thank you so much for explaining the chemistry process. You made me a subscriber.

[@kiwinesss]

Thank you professor! I think we all know what he meant.

[@gaia1577]

Really cool idea with the food coloring! Never would have thought of it. Thank you :)

[@webratjen]

great tutorial, i like your candor and that you embrace your accent (hearing whatcha out in the wild made me smile!)

[@vikkiwilson5069]

great info thanks Mel, I see mini painters often use dried roots which look great - i'm starting diggings all around the property:)

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Me too!

[@allenazali]

thank you for instructing, regarding 12:55 , I have used hair spray to preserve mushrooms, it worked well

[@relax2calm]

You have a really lovely manner, and really clear explanation

[@TheTerrainTutor]

thanks

[@IDICBeer]

Great info thanks Mel

[@nikkibishop8025]

I'm a crafter, but will probably be watching a few more of your videos for tips. Nice one!

[@MurderHoboRPG]

been waiting for this one! thanks heaps! baws!

[@rechellethackray]

Thank you so much for sharing this information 😊

[@ScarletBlossum]

Thank you so much! This has been the most helpful video that I've found

[@Lisa_MS64]

Brilliant! Thank you for this.

[@stevefletcher1161]

Thanks for the info not played with glycerol but as you say think pva will be the way to go for what i do.

[@M0U53B41T]

I suppose if you wanted to make a particular foliage in a specific shape, you could do this so you could still work with it and then PVA the stuffings out of it when you get it how you like it

[@gammaphoone9278]

I deadass had my dagger in hand as I clicked onto this video, nice

[@katanamnm2910]

So I have one specific question. So I plan to decorate my room more by hanging leaves around my room on a string, like how people hang lights. Basically have preserved leaves on a string to attach them on my wall. What method of preserving the leaves do you think would be best for that?

[@brokenroots4236]

Someone's gotta do a video edit with just him inhaling. nice vid btw

[@biggrime]

Has anyone done it yet?

[@abigailbusolo2265]

😁😁😁

[@rajumeganathan3275]

Can we put the leaves in the bottle containing glycerine and preserve it for lifetime in that bottle itself

[@Dasboat728]

good work!

[@samdousel7700]

Thank u for the info

[@user-uu4ke2kn5g]

Hello Master, do not be tired, thank you for your good educational videos. Master, please tell us exactly what materials can be used to stabilize the moss, as well as the amount of their combination ... Thank you, Master.

[@sue21check98]

thank you for teaching👍

[@rachelleannherrera4142]

I want to dry the coconut leaves and use it for weaving a mat. can I use glycerin to make the leaves stronger and not to become brittle?

[@lunanova369]

I'm looking for a way to preserve flowers in which they will still keep their shape but will also stay semi flexible, as I need to put them in tiny little bottles (like a pendant) without them falling apart-would this be a good way to preserve the flower while also maintaining a pliability/flexibility to it so that it doesn't fall apart when I have to squeeze it into the tiny hole of the mini glass bottle?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Yep, it'll be fine :-)

[@ricks5756]

I've been thinking of preserving Poison Ivy and Poison Oak leaf clusters, than laminating them so they are safe to handle. Thank that would work ?

[@RamblinVan]

Something i've not tried but came to mind for anyone wanting to try this but who doesn't want floppy plants. Have a tennis or small golf ball. Lay plastic wrap over the ball. Lay your leaves over it and shape. Put it in a food dehydrator if you have one, to dry out a bit in that shape. Brush with clear resin, or maybe matte varnish. Maybe this would help the plants retain a more lifelike lean rather than being completely rigid flat or floppy?

[@dirtydsrc]

I think it is possible to extract the leaf from the glycerine solution by placing a flat surface underneath the leaf an pull it out slowly and on a slight angle, holding the leaf to the flat surface by the stem with your thumb. let al the excess solution depart from the leaf. It should still be laid out flat. Soak up the rest of the solution dabbing paper towel over the leaf while still on the flat surface then transfer to your glass press to dry. :)

[@TheTerrainTutor]

I'd probably use a flat bottomed sieve bud

[@nadimahbogart2705]

Why are there thumbs down on this video? How petty do you have to be, if you have a problem with the process at least leave a comment or something and we can troubleshoot and learn together. I for one am excited that childhood flower pressing has grown up to have a functional use. This is great 👍

[@jonbell6188]

Hi Mel- great information, thanks so much. If going with PVA, could you use a watered down mixture and spray it on rather than soaking them in a container? I want to preserve lichen. With the PVA approach, are you still getting the plant to suck up the liquid, or will it be enough to just preserve the outside?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

A good soaking should be good enough mate

[@vaselina111]

How many years do they stay the same? I mean its physical properties, not the color or else, do they break or degrade after some years?

[@saifulhaque4804]

the best preserving idea is to first create a soloution that is isotonic to the plant cytoplasm the solution needs to be treated with antibacterial agents to kill any of the decomposing bacterias the plant need to be cut off at the stem the shorter the stem the faster the process place the plant into the container with the solution let the plant abdorb the fluid by capillary action through the xylem and phloems once the plant has fully absorbed the fluids usually one to three days coat the plant with wax or a ceramic coat that is hydro phobic this prevents the water from leaving the plant and also fills in the stomata now the base of the plant must be placed in the isotonic solution with a antibacterial capillary membrane at the top to cover it you are good to go the plant will stuck in time it might loose very little of the original colour with time but u can preserve it for ages u can prevent the color loss by preserving it in the dark

[@talissondelima1107]

I liked your idea... You indicate a site or course where I can learn more. Thanks!

[@sherlyestrada3572]

Do you have any suggestions what plant can I use to preserve fruits?

[@gwenkennedy1]

Leaf at the end looks like a soldier marching with a flag!

[@TheBlackFrog79]

gwenkennedy1 yeah

[@adhesivehamsandwich3737]

This is really neat! Do you know if the plants can be put into resin?

[@davidsmith9431]

Thank you

[@harie45]

hi mel,when you make trees from seafoam right out the box,is it a good idea to put the trees in a bad of glycerine mixed with water?too preserve the trees?or can i use the seafoam trees right out the box.and will they stay good when i paint them and put foliage on the trees?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

If it's from a scenic company, it'll be pretreated mate

[@kimyoung3541]

Thanks for explaining the process. BTW glycerin is a water-based humectant.

[@asozialamt]

what if you leave some flowers in a glass full of this mixture? i mean not soak it but sink it and let it stay there forever in a glass? could that work too?

[@jasonthomas2908]

Hi there. I've implemented the technique in the video, thanks. Do you know if the leaves eventually perish or do they remain viable?

[@MissKatrin]

Wonderful work I wish you all a wonderful as well as all I always wanted to, and success in life and at work Our like # 173

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Thank you

[@socratestsor9192]

I want to ask you sir, how do I create a "realistic" Sky backround for a diorama??

[@MurderHoboRPG]

can you do one on preserving color for dried chopped herbal flocks?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

I'll put it on the list bud ;-)

[@tomdesjardins6778]

mel, using glycerine to make hanging vines seem like a cool project with live folage

[@vidhipatel6766]

Can we use the plants preserved with this glycerine method in resin art?

[@naughtyskyline]

fantastic!

[@NicholasWooster1]

Can you try this on reindeer moss for a video? I've tried a glycerin/denatured alcohol combo and the moss is still damp after a week. Gonna try the water/glycerin combo next.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Are you hanging them?

[@Merlin-gu9nz]

does this mean that we can use the same process but using say purple food colouring to create alien foliage?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Yep, red works really well, as does blue mate

[@michaeltubbs4606]

I kept waiting to see how these huge leaves were going to be used with wargames miniatures.

[@gaia1577]

Does the food coloring cause issues when laying out and pressing or did you lose a bit of patience ;p?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

excess moisture mate

[@THECLOSETGURU]

hi tfs. do u know much about adding fragrances to them. ?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Unfortunately not, it's not my sort of thing mate

[@lightinthedark9984]

Thank you, This was very helpful and informative, Just subscribed. On another note, After seeing your map and sword I have to ask... What House do you support? LOL Go House Stark!!!

[@ginagallagher2118]

hi tfs, can you please tell me will the flower petals loos the colour the same as leave cheers Gina

[@TheTerrainTutor]

They shouldn't but flowers aren't really my area ;-)

[@keyvand4063]

hi , i did that with rose flower and when i get it out of glycerin it was so wet and still look wet after 2 days . what can i do ?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Just leav eit to dry somewhere warm mate

[@rebeccalacey6748]

Thanks mel all the supermarkets don't sell it anymore I looked in super drug none there but I will ask the staff on Thursday when I go but thank you very much mel

[@funoff3207]

Try Boots

[@jacrispy1009]

I want to preserve some furry magnolia buds to make them into beads for jewelry. Would I use this process minus the pressing step?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

should do but it's not really my thing

[@michaelwellner1333]

Mel, I think the glycerine acts to stop fungal decay in the preserved leaf frond, interesting the food colour idea, have you tried this on tougher woody leaves, or for making scatter?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

I usually use paint for scatter mate and yeah, the food colouring works on larger leaves but they need soaking longer

[@joshuavazquez7905]

Mel if I wanted to contract you to make me a 8 x 4 table in 15mm for flames of war Vietnam and ship it to Miami Florida how long and how much would you charge me I've been wanting to contract you to make me a table for over two years now ever since I've seen the artistic talents you apply to the tables you create please reply at your earliest convenience look forward to talking to my inspiration and mentor I've looked up to in terrain building ever since I started this hobby have a wonderful rest of your day Mel and hope to speak with you soon.

[@HUNKAJUNKMODELGARAGE]

That's great what about moss

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Treat the same way, soak for 3 days, hang up to dry, don't press!

[@dmenager]

Great video! What are your thoughts on using sand or, some other fine grained material in the glycerine solution to act as a weight for keeping plants submerged?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

I can see that working, smart idea bud!

[@StarOnTheWater]

They become quite soft so it could be hard to get them out of the sand.

[@ruthboria5572]

Can I use this method to preserve hemp leaf?

[@moniwiihyuga5063]

What is a good sealer does glue work?

[@georgiahope2884]

Can I use cling wrap as a cover? Do they need oxygen?

[@arathduiliath9074]

Osmosis is only the movement of water, since this includes glycerine and food coloring it's called diffusion. (osmosis is just diffusion of water across a membrane) For using just PVA glue to seal plants, what's the ratio of water and glue? Also would food coloring be absorbed with that method as well and will the sealed plants last indefinitely or will they eventually become brittle and fall apart?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Depends on your pva brand but around 6:1. No absorbtion but plastic coats the plants but the pva is moisture sensitive as always mate

[@arathduiliath9074]

Aside from cost would there be any disadvantages to using polyurethane, possibly diluted with acetone or mineral spirits etc or as a spray, to seal plants without worrying about moisture sensitivity?

[@lauraborges2983]

good night, i would like to know if you have any book or any online course on plant preservation, i am wanting to set up larger permanent plant arrangements, and here where i live the information about this technique is very bad. I'm waiting for an answer, thank you !!!

[@talissondelima1107]

Hi dear, did you manage to find something... I can't find anything on the internet about it. Thanks

[@user-ov6gp6re1y]

Can I use the dye in the form of a powder?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

I think it'll need to be soluble mate

[@markbirchall8225]

Love the content on this channel, great enthusiasm and loads of cool experiments! Can anyone recommend a brand of glycerine that worked particularly well and is available in the UK? Many thanks.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

The generic stuff you get from the chemist should be fine mate

[@markb5403]

Great stuff. I'll let you know how I get on. Great content mate, really useful.

[@EMTBAFV]

Same as what vallejo use as there paint retarder I've been reading!

[@DA-js7xz]

Take a shot every time he says "yeah". *Dies in 30 seconds*

[@gaia1577]

your containers are just perfect for this craft. Where did you find them. I live in the U.S.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Chinese takeaway

[@marionarmstrong6877]

In the grocery isle with fruit in it

[@jrpclasses1527]

collection number of plants... these plants are preserved the long time herbarium plants distribution retailers shop....how to eradicate micro organism...please suggestion's sir

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Sorry, no idea, I'm a model maker

[@sarahlou5777]

Can this be uses to do roses or any other full flowers?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

yep

[@Jokreher]

All I know about glycerin is a song, candles, & that it does some nasty stuff when mixed with nitric acid.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Big Badda Boom!

[@Hobbyrepubliken]

So would soaking it in PVA preserve the colour or not?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

No mate

[@thomass.7262]

Danke!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Thank you buddy

[@rebeccalacey6748]

hi mel where can I buy glycerin from because I have looked all most very where for it fantastic shows you have

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Chemist in the skin care section or in the cake making section of any good store mate

[@lunhil12]

Rebecca LACEY I got it from Amazon, it's also used for making homemade soap.

[@rebeccalacey6748]

+lunhil12 thanks lunhil12 I'm grateful for any information and advice Rebecca Lacey

[@kalosprismatic]

I know this is late, but if you have a wine/beer supply store near you, you can find glycerine there too.

[@ramachandiranadiseshan6107]

How to preserve mango leaves (it should be green for a period of 1 year)

[@sadville13]

Where do you buy Glycerine?

[@mahmoudsawtari9788]

you use PG or VG ?

[@jrpclasses1527]

sir please suggestion alcohol dipping more number of plants quantity.....

[@TheTerrainTutor]

no idea, not my field mate

[@chrisjones3901]

Can you keep and reuse the liquids

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Yes, for a couple of years before they get too many bits in it

[@almightygugo9314]

For approximately how long can plants stay preserved in that solution?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Decades mate

[@almightygugo9314]

@@TheTerrainTutor Thanks for the quick response.

[@Raythe]

*quietly singing* "don't let the days go by..."

[@itsio7188]

Do you have tutorials on moss preserving?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Same way, just dont flatten it

[@joshfetil6059]

Can uv tatto ink replace by a uv dye ink

[@TheTerrainTutor]

yep

[@jolap9344]

Dear TheTerrainTutor - if you attempt to give some scientific information please check it. Glycerin is NOT FAT as you stated in your video, saying: "glycerin is basically fat, it contains lipid, fundamentally basic fat unit". Wow. Briefly: glycerin or glycerol (C3H8O3) doesn't contain lipid - lipids contain glycerin. Glycerin is an alcohol, a polyol which is an alcohol containing multiple hydroxyl (typical for alcohols -OH) groups. Glycerin has three -OH groups while drinking alcohol (ethanol) has one.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

thanks for the info

[@phyllisveit4865]

As far as I can see, there are two different glycerin's, one plant based which they use on face for softness and wrinkles and is food safe, and the other is called Propylene Gycol

[@emmetropiax9]

I want to point out that Glycerin is NOT a FAT! It's actually alcohol! If it would be a fat you couldn't dilute it with Water! Basic chemistry :)

[@emmetropiax9]

And this is why its that easy to wash it off, because it just dilutes in water. No need to use dish soap or anything in this sort of stuff ;)

[@asstub3603]

alguien que me explique como se hace en español que liquidos necesita para hacer eso

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Glycerin & warm Water mate

[@ModerateHipster]

@TheTerrainTutor How have these held up a couple years on?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Last time I saw them, still fine mate, haven't seen them in 6 months though, god know where they are now lol

[@sirfrancisarthur]

Holy smoke, I know that sword. I sold it and didn't have the red ruby but the rest was the same. Pretty pointy and way too heavy lol

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Wrist breaking heavy!

[@hillbillyartscrafts4367]

yeah

[@danielfeldt3745]

Is that Herbs Robert?

[@ryanlayola8047]

can i seal it with modpodge?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

I've not tried, might be messy

[@hallieshouse13]

Why don't you just use silica gel?

[@lyricwritertoo]

That makes it brittle.

[@evandrodantas8346]

Glicerina Animal or vegetal ?