My yard has an abundance of ground moss in the shady areas. It looks like it would work well to represent an area of ground that is overgrown with low trees/shrubs on an N scale layout. I took a piece and set it aside to see what it would look like after sitting for awhile indoors. After several weeks, it still looked OK but I think it would take months/years to determine how it looks in the long term. I don't care if it loses it color as long as it holds its shape/texture.
Has anyone tried using ground moss on your layout for an extended period? How did it work out.
Paul D
N scale Washita and Santa Fe RailroadSouthern Oklahoma circa late 70's
Depending on the humidity in your room, the moss will either dry out, become brittle and eventially turns into dust, or it will develop mold growth and turn into a potential health hazard - unless you use some kind of preservation method.
In former times, moss was simply soaked in formaldehyd, dried and colored, but that stuff is highly toxic and a known carcinogen.
My best advice is to stay away from natural moss as a ground cover.
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
Tinplate ToddlerDepending on the humidity in your room, the moss will either dry out, become brittle and eventially turns into dust, or it will develop mold growth and turn into a potential health hazard - unless you use some kind of preservation method.
Like glycerin? Isn't that how it is made soft and pliable in those bags of it you can buy?
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
riogrande5761 Tinplate Toddler Depending on the humidity in your room, the moss will either dry out, become brittle and eventially turns into dust, or it will develop mold growth and turn into a potential health hazard - unless you use some kind of preservation method. Like glycerin? Isn't that how it is made soft and pliable in those bags of it you can buy?
Tinplate Toddler
riogrande5761Like glycerin? Isn't that how it is made soft and pliable in those bags of it you can buy?
Thats what David Frary uses in his book, "Realistic Model Railroad Scenery".
His formula for the basic preserving solution is 3 gallons of water, to 1 gallon of commercial grade glycerin, and 1 1/2 packets of green fabric dye.
This for using natural lichen.
I would think it would work for what the OP has in mind, at least worth a try.
Mike.
My You Tube
many moons ago some one brought me several bags of moss from west coast, i did treat it with glyceren water mix but added some grain alcohol as a wetting agent . it lasted well for the 3 years the lay out was.
You can give it a quick shot with the airbrush to make it look even better or just spruce up the old stuff.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
My bad - I simply forgot about glycerine!
Still, I´d like to stay away from that stuff. Fur bushes and ground cover, I used WS Polyfiber, white glue with a shot of cheap brown paint in it and WS turf in various colors. For some unknown reason, I don´t like organic materials on my layout- other than lumber.
Using lichen soaked with gycerin may be OK, but i would use caution about moss, some types may work, but not sure how well it will last. There are many scenery products that you can use directly out of the bag and never worry about it. Even layouts with lichen need periodic sprucing up as it dries up and becomes very brittle.
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
Thanks all. This is ground moss - not lichen.May look at the preservative methods you suggest. I am interested in it because it is FREE and would look great for N scale. Unless you count painting my blue foam with green paint, I have not started landscaping my layout yet so I am looking at my options.
While great to use natural material, I'm weary of something growing there. I bet there's nothing easier than natural things, but I much prefer buying artificial knowing there isn't a hidden biology project there!
Hey Paul,
Why not give it a try? The worst that can happen is that it falls apart and has to be replaced.
I would suggest a couple of things. First, rinse it thoroughly to get as much dirt out as possible. Second, bake it in a warm oven (225 degrees maybe) for an hour to kill any accompanying organisms. Keep an eye on it in case it starts to burn. Then do the glycerine thing, and then add colour and maybe some ground foam for texture if it looks too smooth.
I tried for years to create a moss garden because I like the look. Alas, the moss would not accept being forced to grow where it didn't want to. Fortunately we do still have some moss in the low lying wetter areas. It is in bloom right now. It has the smallest flowers in the garden!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Maybe its just me but it sounds like more work than its worth. But that’s just me.
Joe Staten Island West
hon30critter I tried for years to create a moss garden because I like the look. Alas, the moss would not accept being forced to grow where it didn't want to. Fortunately we do still have some moss in the low lying wetter areas. It is in bloom right now. It has the smallest flowers in the garden! Dave
Never seen any blooms on any of my moss. Probably different variety of moss here in Arkansas vs yours in Canada.