Subject: Leaf Skeletons

From: [email-masked] (Erich Weaver)
Date: Sun, 28 Jan 1996 09:21:48 -0800

We are looking for the formula for making leaf skeletons for a project we
are working on. Have tried several with no success. Help please.
   Thankyou

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From: [email-masked] (mel turner)
Date: Sun, 28 Jan 1996 17:22:06

>are working on. Have tried several with no success. Help please.

It is more a matter of finding a plant species that naturally  lends itself to 
it-- leaves of some species will naturally skeletonize if laid on damp soil, 
or perhaps in water.  They then can be rinsed gently to remove debris [I 
remember using a hand- held trigger sprayer] , then  bleached or dyed, dried, 
& finally  mounted under glass, etc..  _Ficus religiosa_ is an especially good 
subject.  It seems to be a  combination of strong, rot-resistant veins and 
easily-rotted soft tissue.  Perhaps look around for examples of 
naturally-skeletonized leaves and use the same species.
mdt