"Freshen up reindeer moss/lichen" Topic

Just discovered this trick. Get a shard of a terracotta flower pot. My wife gardens on the terrace so we have more than a few. Run the shard under cold water,and dry it with a towel so that it is cool with moisture but not wet. Put the shard in a plastic bag or box with your moss/lichen overnight. Next day, note how soft and pliable the stuff is.

That does sound like a good trick.

Thanks for sharing.

I think the manufacturers spray them/soak them in a mix of water and glycerin.

Water rehydrates them. I hit them with a water mist from a spray bottle and they come back almost instantly.

I keep mine in sealed plastic bags up high in a hot California garage and they stay fresh year after year. If they've been out for an extended period, I dip my finger tips in clear water, flick a few drops in the bag with the lichen and it springs right back. Resilient stuff. I love how many natural colors it comes in these days – and a few unnatural colors for you sci-fi folk.

If you really want it to never go crunchy soak it in hot water and add some glycerine. My basement can get dry but my lichen has been soft and fluffy since I did this and that was probably 40 years ago.

Thanks.

Mine are stored in a plastic baggie and every now and then I throw in a damp paper towel. That works for me.

Also, resealable plastic bags. A splash of water in after every few actions. I need to get some glycerine.

Where have people found it?

You can find glycerine at a pharmacy.

thanks,

Vince

Spray painted some various purples. Dries is out and makes it crumbly, no coming back from that. Just an FYI…

glycerine is and old model railroaders trick for keeping lichen fresh – apparently works very well