SEA FOAM FOR TREES
I have read a lot about sea foam for trees,



Most Suited for OO, HO, N & Z Gauge Model Railways
Seafoam is a natural product which can be planted straight from the
box if you wish, but a little extra work with scatter material is well
worth the effort. Scatters for the foliage come in three forms - flock,
foliage and leaves, in a range of greens and autumnal tints.

GM195 is a dried plant product and can be used straight out
of the box, though a little extra work with scatters and paint is well
worth the effort. Use a combination of Foliage Scatters and Leaves.
For a more twiggy effect apply a light dusting of dark flock first. The
amount of scatter you put on the Seafoam will dramatically affect the
way the finished tree will look, this helps you create a realistic 'mixed'
woodland. If you need to straighten or want to thicken the trunks of
your trees use thin wire and thick acrylic paint.

 I think they look good. The only problem is the cost. At around 12 pound a box



After a bit of work with paint and scatter you can end with



Now for the green finger bit, after searching about on the net I came up with (pinched) the following information. It was from a public forum so no rules broken…….

Sea foam does not grow in the sea

The real name for sea foam is………………….

Teloxys Aristata

So what does all this mean.

First of all you can plant sea foam in the potting shed
Second thing is if you google sea foam you get the model rail side of the story. However if you google Teloxys Aristata it is a different story,
I found this site that sells the seeds for sea foam\ Teloxys Aristata

http://www.edirectory.co.uk/chilternseeds/pages/moreinfo.asp?pe=DBFBDAAAQ_+teloxys+aristata+sea+foam&cid=211

at £2.40 per packet just think of how much you can save.

Description from site
Tumbleweed, Sea Foam, Seafoam Moss seeds
Description:   A real novelty in every sense of the word. And a plant for your dedicated model maker as little chunks of this fascinating plant are sold for use as model shrubs and trees for miniature track-side and road decoration. 'Sea Foam' describes well the intricately shaped form in which the myriad tiny stems of this plant entangle themselves, more the framework of a loofah than your average plant. The insignificant flowers open green then, with the rest of the plant, turn reddish-maroon and finally to reddish-brown, the whole being outstanding as an everlasting. At first the plant is a very slow grower, then, as flowering time approaches, it leaps into action and grows, our supplier's word, "explosively". A plant of the Gobi Desert. 14 ins.
All we need now is someone who has green fingers to tell us all how to grow the stuff.

Does anyone here have a contact who works in a Garden Centre or somewhere similar, who could help us out with how to 'grow our own'?

It sounds like a good idea to me.  :D

Perry

As I have a 14ft x 6ft heated greenhouse, I guess it would be silly not to grow some of these next season.
I also buy from Chiltern seeds already and find them good. Full cultivating instructions will come with each packet of seeds.

Thanks for the info Matt.

That's an interesting link and subject.
Mike

I'll try some out here next summer - if it fails, I might go for a holiday in the Gobi Desert - are there any trains out there ? :lol:  :lol:

Petermac

I did a bit about this on the old site so am trying to remember everything I wrote.  I had an indifferent time with mine, they did not liked being re-potted early, they are also quite bushy so need plenty of room and little water.  They do seem to take forever to get going but once established do very well.  Given the summer we have had up here in Fife I am quite delighted to get a few good plants.  Anywhere warm (not direct hot sunlight) and moistish (not wet) should be fine
 

This is about half a plants worth, not quite dried yet but getting there.  Someone did mention that his broke easily, I think that is because he dried them on a radiator, I'm guessing the best way would be like drying herbs, put them in your oven (on its lowest setting) and leave the door about half way open, probably need a couple of hours.  If you are energy concious or not in any hurry (like me) leave them spread out in a warm room for a few days.

The beauty of grow your own is you also get these

next years supply of seeds  :D

Obviously from the top piccie, the big lads are waaaaaaaay to big for my n gauge but I have the option of taking of the side shoots as a veritable forest.

Do have a go yourself, it's about £3 with the postage from Chiltern Seeds but please do make sure you buy a good potting compost, buying naff compost wont help at all.  Good luck

Meant to say, nipping bits off at different stages (I now realise  :roll:  ) will give you different coloured trees as the plant does go through some wonderful colour changes.

could you not hang these up in an airing cupboard :roll:

Matt said

could you not hang these up in an airing cupboard :roll:

Yes you could, I don't have an airing cupboard though  :lol:  plus you run the risk of losing all your seeds unless you can put a large tray under them.  Obviously for the same reason with oven drying you would place them on a tray.

All this makes me wonder if a bit of hunting about around plant and garden centres might identify any other similar plants that modellers could use. It can't be the only plant that has a shape and structure like to this.

Not the sort of place I tend to frequent though……… :?

Perry