Lichen Preservation

[Anonymous]

During a cross country skiing trip this year, I came upon some really good lichen and picked a bunch. However, I can't remember exactly how to do the preservation so that I can use it for scenery. Does anyone have the recipe of how to preserve lichen? I know that a technique using glycerine works well, but can't remember the details. Thanks.

Bob Grace

[snowey]

I can't remember, either, but in the book "Building Model railroad scenery" (or something like that) Dave Fray shows the method. The book is by KALMBACH.

[Anonymous]

Hey Bob i found the book its REALISTIC MODEL RAILROAD SCENERY,It is on page 50,it says get a camp stove and a big tub or pot that at least holds 5gallons.It says to use 1.5 packets of green dye in differant shades.Heat theglycern,water and dye to almost a boil it says 230degrees is ideal.pack as much lichen in and let simmer for five minutes,let cool and squeeze out all the liquid you can,then repeat with darker shade hope this helps.It says wear rubber gloves to!!! DON

[Anonymous]

Hey Bob i found the book its REALISTIC MODEL RAILROAD SCENERY,It is on page 50,it says get a camp stove and a big tub or pot that at least holds 5gallons.It says to use 1.5 packets of green dye in differant shades.Heat theglycern,water and dye to almost a boil it says 230degrees is ideal.pack as much lichen in and let simmer for five minutes,let cool and squeeze out all the liquid you can,then repeat with darker shade hope this helps.It says wear rubber gloves to!!! DON

[Anonymous]

Don;

Thanks for the information. Did the article say what ratio of water and glycerine to use?

Bob

[Anonymous]

where do you find lichen
from luke

[Anonymous]

try various hobby and craft stores. it's a lot less trouble than trying to preserve your own.

[Anonymous]

forget the hobby shops. This form of lichen looks great on model railroads.
Fill up a bucket with water
Pour in enough glycerin to make a thin film on the water
Stir it up
Drop lichen in
Let sit over night
Take out and dry on newsprint
Youre done
After fixing it to your layout you might want to spray if once in a while with a water glycerine mixture but I haven't had to yet on mine. Also don't forget to airbru***hem different colors
My advice is find some lichen that grows on rocks. It has a more fine texture and looks exactly like a decidous forest when complete. Good Luck!

[Anonymous]

I forgot to mention that I live in Canada, (AKA the great white north) and there is a ton of lichen here. We could support the whole world on lichen so you may have trouble finding it in the states.
If anybody is desperate enough for real lichen you could send me some cash for postage and I could send you a box but you probably wouldn't be interested. If so though [e-mail]

[Anonymous]

Dave Frary's mix is 3 gallons water, 1 gallon commercial grade glycerin, 1 1/2 packets green dye.Each time you do a batch and remove, add 1 1/2 pints more glycerin, and darken the dye some more [ a darker shade of dye ].
The basic recipe is boil the mixture, put in the lichen, bring back to a simmer, and simmer 5 mins.
Then take off heat until you can put your gloved hands in, remove lichen and squeeze out the mix.
Dry the dyed lichen outside, spread out on newspapers, take in at night in plastic bags.Should be dry enough in 3 days to bag up and store.
Batchelors shouldn't need to do the boiling outside on a camp stove.No you can't use my kitchen, I'm not a batchelor.
regards/Mike