LEAF CASTING


Materials:
 

  • Portland Cement
  • Sand, all purpose or play sand but never beach sand
  • Water


Other Options:

  • Cement reinforcer helps if you are making larger leaves.  You can buy this commercially.  The addition of lime also helps.
  • A “releaser” such as spray cooking oil for leaves that don’t have smooth surfaces helps you get the leaf off after curing.
  • There are concrete tints that you can buy.  Leaves can be painted after curing using craft acrylics.  You can spray them with a coating such as a spar varnish.


Steps:

  • Mix Portland cement and sand 1:1 ratio
  • Add water to make a thick batter consistency
  • Place leaf face down on solid surface (corrugated boxes work well)
  • The surface shape can be changed with mounds of sand
  • Pour and smear concrete into desired shape
  • Let cure for 48 hours in a cool area (never in direct sunlight)


Tips:

  • “Sugar” the edges of the leaf if mix spreads further than you want it to-this means sprinkle sand on the area, you can then just cut it off.  You can also use sand to stop the flow of the concrete
  • In hot weather (over 80°) mist item at least 2 times daily
  • Be careful to make concrete thick enough on deep veins
  • Never place new leaves in ponds or under/near plant materials that need an acid ph.


Fun Books


A Garden Gallery
by George Little and David Lewis shows their incredible garden and creations but no helpful how to’s.

Creative Concrete Ornaments for the Garden by Sherri Warner Hunter has projects by various artists.  This book gives information on cement and various mixtures that can be used. 
 

 
main page this week

plant of the week

tip of the week tool shed how to gardens to see sponsors events calendar the happy spot
streaming video read our blog join our twitter e-mail us archive press relations links to other websites
 

Website design and content ©2006-2011 Gustin Creative Group.  Please send website inquiries to gustingroup@comcast.net.  This page last modified January 29, 2013.