HI to all......... Just completed a tree using dry moss and oregano spices as leaves...... do u think that they will lose their colour after some time? I wouldnt want a tree with dead leaves after a few months on the shelf!! Any way i thought of painting them but it s rather difficult cos their original colours are so natural......... Anyone with experience??

Since the leaves were dried to begin with I don't think they will change color. However, before you 'plant' your tree try a light misting with clear flat spray. It will be absorbed by the leaves and be preserved. One thing the clear flat might turn the leaves a bit darker than their current color.

I have used oregano leaves to make tress before also. I gave them a light misting of green then drybrushed a little yellow over them for contrast. I then sprayed the whole tree with dullcoat. That has been almost 6 years ago and they still look great.

Patrick

I used this method and my dio has retained its color for almost a year now.
I did give it a light misting/spray of dullcoat

The dried spices are brilliant for trees and foilage. And what makes it even better is when you use different spices for different trees and "plant" them side-by-side.
With the white glue and a mist of clear it will hold them better.

I sprayed mine as I didnt want to take the chance of them losing colour. All the paint only holds them better as they are quite fragile.

Yup, a light misting of dullcoat has worked well for me. I hadn't thought of highlighting the colors before, but think it's a great idea Patrick. Looks like it's time for a new Dio!

Mike

Many, many years I used dried oregano leaves for a small dio that I did. Straight from the kitchen, and I'm sure that I most likely did NOT coat with a flat coat when completed. All looked good until we had a spell of damp weather, I was shocked to find mold growing on my dio!

|:(

Thanks,
Kevin Keefe
Mortars in Miniature

Let enough mold grow and you could have a Stephen King diorama! #:-)

thanks for the input guys.......... I decided to take the risk by just lightly misting it with a matt varnish....... Hope i wont end up with a stephen king diorama! haha!