The Best Way To Make Fake Cornstalks!

[@Beyond1031]

Thanks so much for the shout out! A lot of people have asked us why we just didn't go out and get corn stalks. The reason we came up with this method was because we needed them for convention in May. And, if you've ever had corn stalks inside you'll know that they bring bugs with them! :-) I'm not sure if you also saw the tutorial on what I coined as "flexi dirt?". Using my method for flexider in a 2x4 is how we mounted these to stand up and still look realistic. Again thank you so much, and happy haunting!

[@KerriGilpin]

I can’t say that I’ve ever wanted corn stalks, but the wire and tape technique looks like it would lend really well to make feathers, and probably ideas I haven’t thought of. Great and easy build overall!

[@AprilJAtwood]

I thought the same thing. But I need cormstalks too lol. Is there a way to weather proof? Once they went up they would stay outside.

[@angiefrantz]

Glad to see people are being inspired by our cornstalks to create their own versions! The Halloween community only gets better with each of us sharing our ideas and knowledge with fellow haunters. Thank you! 😊

[@VanOaksProps]

Thank you so much for sharing it!

[@AB-nu5we]

Having worked in cornfields for many years, some tips if you want even more realism. What you have is great, but... . Modern corn leaves, even on dried down corn, bends near the base as the corn dries. The leaves stay mostly straight. This is because modern corn leaves are bred to be upright during growing to allow more sun to get down to lower parts of the corn. Tassels usually stay upright all the way to harvest. The corn silk is what gets floppy and falls to the side of the ear. Corn stalks are segmented like bamboo and do narrow noticeably as you go up the plant stalk. I was trying to come up with an easy way to do this when I experimented making my own a while back. Don't ignore those awesome scary external roots! Corn has external roots for support. You can make those look like feet or spiders or something else scary. Every now and then in the field, your brain gets a flash that those roots are garden spiders, or worse, tarantulas. I know a lot of these features can probably be ignored for a haunt, but if you want next level, these are some things to add. Thanks for the cool technique tips.

[@VanOaksProps]

Thank you for all the suggestions!

[@grinningtiki220]

ooo! I have a pile of skinny bamboo stalks I got from a neighbor when I cleaned their yard. Those will be perfect for this! Thanks for the great video!

[@suzannemorrell439]

I've seen and loved the other video a while ago, but it is definitely involved. This has simplified it, so I thank you very much!

[@TroyKristoffer]

LOVE IT! Thanks Derek! Gonna make 40,000 of these for Gothic Hills' pumpkin patch this year.

[@costumesforalloccasions]

Great job Derek and Beyond1031!

[@m.maclellan7147]

Excellent!!! Watched the other video, which was good, but I like your "improved" version.

[@VanOaksProps]

Glad you liked it!

[@LizzieWestBathandBody]

Wow this is the Best!!!! This will save me loads and no bugs no squirrels! Totally Brilliant!

[@VanOaksProps]

Great to hear!

[@clancycreations]

I am so grateful for all of your videos…. From complex to simple… you have something for everyone! Thank you! 🎃💜👍

[@VanOaksProps]

You are so welcome!

[@stevedrake360]

You've got great talent and skill. I love your videos, and thank you!!

[@VanOaksProps]

Thank you very much!

[@double_digit_life.9268]

Awesome! One down, 5,999,999,999 more to go. Also, if you wanted to make corn, you could use recycled water/ soda bottles and wrap them in leaves with the tassles up top too.

[@ToilandTroublesDIY]

This is great! Really enjoyed this build as well as learning the techniques used by @Beyond1031. The leaf construction is fairly similar to how Mardi Gras float flowers are made.

[@VanOaksProps]

Interesting! I did not know that.

[@ToilandTroublesDIY]

@@VanOaksProps Let me know if you ever want to learn the technique!

[@coastercreature9695]

DEREK!!! These are amazing!!! I needed this... THANK YOU!

[@theresalg1969]

I'm loving it!!! So creative.

[@VanOaksProps]

Thanks so much

[@michellereed3272]

This video finally helped me figure out how to make quality looking cornstalks in less time. I’ve watched a lot of diy tutorials on cornstalks, but something just clicked this time.💡I work for a wide format printing company, and I’ve found that sign making materials come in very handy for making Halloween decorations. Especially since most of these products are made for outdoor use. Instead of using masking tape, I’m going use self adhesive vinyl film. I can print the leftover rolls that are waste, or maybe I’ll opt for a solid color matte finish vinyl. I can always touch it up with a little spray paint to add some detail. I’ll use the cutter to cut out the leaves. If I fold the vinyl in half before running it through the cutter, that will save a ton of time too. I don’t think I’ll need the wires either. I can shape the leaves with a heat gun. BTW you don’t have to work at print shop to get these materials. They’re readily available online. If you’re really into diy Halloween stuff, check with your local wide format printers or sign shops. You may be able to repurpose some of their waste like I do at our shop. Thanks for the inspiration Van Oaks!!

[@VanOaksProps]

I'm so happy to hear this! And thanks for the tips on using vinyl.

[@michelevelasquez3552]

Oh ty so much I was wanting to do this, this year. And I saw your notification. It looks easy and so real. I love all your videos!

[@stephenkrupa2901]

This is brilliant! I'm definitly going to make these!!!

[@brianlawson5044]

Will be watching later. Been saving your tutorials. Thank you.

[@FabWorks80]

This is soooo cool Derek!! Thank you for sharing this technique.

[@VanOaksProps]

Glad you liked it!

[@jbprospector3638]

As always great and fun video. I'm excited to try this out for myself. Thanks for sharing. 👍🙂

[@VanOaksProps]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@haywardhaunter2620]

I wonder how well this would adapt to making pumpkin vines and leaves. I guess there's only one way to find out.

[@VanOaksProps]

I have a vine tutorial and combined with this leaf method should work well

[@vickiemullen660]

This is great! Thank you so much. We needed this since we have that theme for Halloween! This looks like something we can do.

[@kevdogcle9955]

Looks cool and very realistic. Nice job. I just made a space ship . And I want corn stalks to put behind my alien 👽 figures I made. Id love to show you photos of what I made so far.

[@francescowart6034]

Looks great. Can't wait to try it.

[@VanOaksProps]

Have fun!

[@katz0625]

GENIUS!! Thank you!! But have a question…how did you get the vein-y look of the leaves?? But thank you for this!!

[@VanOaksProps]

Thanks! The veining is from running the wire down the middle of the tape.

[@HunterJetson]

Im definitely going to have to give this a try!!

[@denisemacdonald9253]

This is great. Going to give it a try.

[@HobbyHalloween]

That looks realistic, I remember one year my parents grew some corn and it looks just like that! Great job. I missed our premiere and our usual Saturday morning chats, but you probably knew we'd be making a lot of corny jokes like we usually do. Maybe next week. Today, I'm planting some veggies in my raised beds and I've had some bad luck with growing things, mostly I think it's the birds snacking on my seedlings... because I saw them one day and not the next. I need to put something like a plastic over them so they don't get eaten... And of course... Failing growing REAL plants I'll make the fake ones and call it a day LOL.

[@susanowen1709]

No chat today worked out well for me - we had to take the dogs to the groomers & the only appointment they had available was at 8:30a. Hope you didn't make extra coffee on my behalf ;-)

[@HobbyHalloween]

@@susanowen1709 Well, yes and no... I do enjoy our chats and jokes about coffee and such. And BTW: I did make extra coffee for everyone, I ended up drinking it all... LOL See 'ya next week.

[@susanowen1709]

@@HobbyHalloween I had a chai in the morning, and split a venti frappuccino with Mr O after we dropped off the dogs. Not sure I'll be able to sleep tonight, LOL! "See" you Saturday, same bat time, same bat channel!

[@HobbyHalloween]

@@susanowen1709 🦇🦇🦇 Okay! You got it! Cheers... err... I meant Decaf cheers! ☕

[@flightofapaullo72]

Great video! I need to start now to get ready for Halloween.

[@VanOaksProps]

That's right!

[@screaminscott]

Here's an interesting thought. Why not create a really long strip of masking tape and wire?. Then lay down a stencil to paint multiple leaves all at once. You can have different stencils for different lengths of leaves. The paint defines the edges of the leaves so you can cut them out, and snip the wire at the base of leaves . That might make the process a little faster because you're creating everything all at once without having to trace it individually

[@VanOaksProps]

Brilliant!!

[@screaminscott]

​@@VanOaksPropsI'm all about being lazy!

[@TownshendChristmasLights]

Another great video. Do you use all the props you make in your display? Do you have an updated video of your display? I've seen the one there Hollywood Haunters paid you a visit, but that was a while ago now. I'm keen to see what it looks like now.

[@VanOaksProps]

I don’t, typically. Our haunt still looks very much like it does in the Hollywood Haunter video

[@tinalundy7858]

Wow this will save me a ton of money thank you!!

[@VanOaksProps]

Happy to help!

[@KrazeeKraftZ]

Great video. Pity I can't get 1/2" pipe in Australia, which is 12mm so the 15mm had to do. I tried getting the print off with acetone but either different ink or different acetone here. Alternatively it may be because it was a few years old and had been out in the sun for too many events. My only question though. How long is the pipe?? Read through a few comments but didn't see it. Here it comes in 1m or 3m lengths, so I got 2x3m ones in the hope of making at last 4 stems to start with! So they would be about 6ft. Do they need to be that tall??

[@VanOaksProps]

The height is completely up to you. Mine was about 6 feet tall

[@hardiehardley]

Even when sprayed down with a waterproofing agent, my leaves tend to eventually come unravelled. Just use more tape i would guess?

[@VanOaksProps]

You may want to look into clear rubberized spray to keep the water out.

[@debbiemorrow9721]

Great video! 👍

[@VanOaksProps]

Thank you!

[@adamczarnik8833]

I’m literally making fake corn stalks from beyond as well! Great minds 👏🏻 however, did you have a brand recommendations for the rubber spray?

[@VanOaksProps]

I don’t. My gut would be to go with the Gorilla brand since I’ve had luck with all of their products.

[@adamczarnik8833]

@@VanOaksProps sounds good thanks for tip!

[@darastiner9812]

You sound like Casey Kasem!!! 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

[@ethanriley5000]

How many 15", 20", and 25" pieces of wire per cornstalk?

[@VanOaksProps]

There's no set number. You can use as few or as many as you think looks good.

[@ethanriley5000]

How many did you use to make the cornstalk in the video? Trying to estimate how much wire I need to make 6 cornstalks.. Thanks.

[@VanOaksProps]

@@ethanriley5000 I don’t recall but you can probably count them when I show the final product at the end of the video.

[@mtntrekker3119]

What lengths are the stalks (PVC pipe)?

[@VanOaksProps]

Mine was 6’ but they can be as tall as you like.

[@OfficialGlitchLab]

What about using bamboo?

[@VanOaksProps]

That should work, although I don’t know that it’s cheaper or more durable than pvc.

[@rumspringa_tiki]

How did you stand the cornstalks up?

[@VanOaksProps]

Rebar could be used

[@hardiehardley]

How so you secure yours? Spikes? Or just ram them in?

[@VanOaksProps]

Rebar works best. Just make sure there’s no underground pipes/electrical where you place them.

[@hardiehardley]

Thank you!​@@VanOaksProps

[@GravelyMacCabre]

Thanks buddy. It's appreciated

[@VanOaksProps]

It's my pleasure

[@davevance-realestateagentr2630]

would duct tape work better? since its water proof?

[@VanOaksProps]

Possibly, but you'd spend more time painting it to look like the masking tape. So it may be a trade off

[@603VIL]

So I live in New Hampshire, and I will say that corn fields, corn mazes, and anything corn represent fall here... a lot. However, purchasing corn stalks at farm stands is pricey. And, they don't last, of course, since they're organic. I've always wanted to add corn stalks to my haunt, but I haven't for these reasons. This method looks very promising. Obviously time consuming, but like all things haunt related, it's a labor of love. You mentioned clear rubber spray for weather proofing. Can you provide a brand or link? I'm not sure I've seen clear. All I can think of is perhaps clear Flex Seal? As always, thanks for sharing!

[@VanOaksProps]

Sure! There’s a link to one in the video description

[@603VIL]

@VanOaksProps Thank you sir. Fingers crossed Indy is good too. 🫰

[@603VIL]

Do you think this could work for making a realistic palm tree? I live in NH where there are no palms, but I sure do love them. I think faux palms in the backyard around a nice patio set would be amazing. I've had it on my mind for a while, but I'm a little unsure of where I'd start. Thoughts?

[@VanOaksProps]

@@603VIL possibly, but you may need to switch to the thicker gauge wire.

[@Stiff_Richards]

The guys a legend

[@kevinfinkel5536]

What would you do to make an ear of corn?

[@VanOaksProps]

Depending on whether you want to see kernels or not you could shave down a piece of pool noodle into a cob shape and then wrap it in leaves, but don’t do the wire down the middle. If you wanted to see kernels you could carve an ear from foam or sometimes the dollar store or craft store has fake corn decorations that you could use. Or if you really wanted to go all out you could make a silicone mold and cast them from expanding foam.

[@1953lewbad]

Can't find link.

[@VanOaksProps]

For?

[@Jenniferx-su6pw]

How tall is your pole and how many leaves did you use?

[@VanOaksProps]

6 feet and I don't recall how many leaves. You can probably count how many in the video. The height and number of leaves is completely up to you though.

[@Jenniferx-su6pw]

@@VanOaksProps thanks! I am thinking of leaving 1 foot to dig into the ground. I also thought of a stand but idk..

[@theloststoryteller9288]

cool!

[@juneritchie2498]

Very nice!

[@VanOaksProps]

Thanks!

[@horses2by]

Wow it looks amazingly real 👏🎃🧟‍♂️🎈💀

[@ekij133]

I have no need or desire to make fake cornstalks. Clicked on the video as soon as I saw it.

[@VanOaksProps]

You've described the bulk of the things I watch on youtube. haha. I don't need to know most of the stuff I watch, but it's always fascinating to see how other people plan and their process to complete a task. Thanks for watching!!

[@MrDkjz28]

Awesome

[@deoblo85]

that's great looks perfect !! HFL!!

[@Arkie80]

Leaves of this shape are what botanists call 'lanceolate' which means literally, spearhead shaped.

[@VanOaksProps]

Good to know!

[@GHILLIESARCADEANDMORE]

Cool

[@ZenHulk]

I'm on your etsy right now, AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO BUY, just got paid. What i want will require a conversation with the wife of 22 years. Leaning towards Haunted Mansion sign, probably pass that by her easily. I have been through every page twice, 3d prints out my printer sucks, love the Disney 3d files, but my printer will never finish it. Going through again.

[@VanOaksProps]

I also offer 3d printing services... just sayin' LOL

[@HMFan2010]

Neat technique... but you’re missing the best part: where’s the ears of corn? Now, can you imagine being the set decorator for “The Wizard of Oz” and having to make 100’s of these?

[@603VIL]

If it pays well, then I say awesome.

[@VanOaksProps]

I had started working on a cob using pool noodles but ran out of time. Maybe a separate video

[@603VIL]

@@VanOaksProps would love to see it for sure. 🤙

[@SpadeCaller]

B R A V O!!!!!

[@codahblack6935]

Too cheap to buy the real thing rather than spend all that time building them

[@VanOaksProps]

What if you need them when corn isn’t in season?

[@codahblack6935]

@@VanOaksProps good point👍 And I'm sure the technique can be used for other things as well.