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| Hi--It has been awhile since I last posted here so let me briefly introduce myself and describe my interests. I am trying to assemble as large a display collection of the cones of the conifers of the world as possible. With the help of a number of you I have about 250 species so far, out of the totals for the world as follows, so I have a LONG way to go. 8 Families, 70 Genera, 615 Species, 45 Sub-Species, 249 Varieties, 8420 Cultivars For anyone interested, I offer a FREE Excel format Conifers of the World Checklist listing all of the above. Just send me an email for a free copy at: RonMerchant45@yahoo.com The main purpose of this email is to ask for help on solving a problem. As most of you know the cones of the Genus Abies (Firs) do not fall off the tree intact. Instead, they disintegrate leaving only the central rachis when they mature. Does anyone know of a way to collect these cones intact? If they are collected a week or 2 before they are fully ripe, will the stay together as they dry? I have no interest in the seeds, just the cones for display. Any suggestions are welcomed. If any of you have access to varies species of conifers, especially non-US species and would be willing to collect 1-5 cones for me, please contact me at the email above. I would appreciate ANY help on my project. |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by fatamorgana 5/6 (My Page) on Tue, Feb 12, 13 at 10:08
| If seeds and viable germination is no object, I would suggest collecting them green. Let them dry - you can try experiments of air drying versus drying in a food dehydrator or by using desiccants. I really don't know what will give you the best results as far as looks and appearance - which it sounds as though you are looking for. But do some small experiments, you'll find what works best. After *completely* dried, I would then coat them with some sort of craft spray coating or glue. This will help hold them together if they become brittle and prone to falling apart after drying. Check out what might be used on crafts with dried flowers and weeds. Surprisingly this isn't a craft I do so I can't direct you more but I'm sure google can. If you have any cone pics to share, please do! FataMorgana |
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- Posted by Antman452 none (RonMerchant45@yahoo.com) on Tue, Feb 12, 13 at 11:57
| FataMorgana Thanks for the suggestions. I think perhaps the crafts glue spray idea might work. Unfortunately I live in southern Michigan where NO firs grow, so I do not have access to any fir cones to experiment with. |
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- Posted by fatamorgana 5/6 (My Page) on Tue, Feb 12, 13 at 16:52
| I would guess even if there are not firs native to Michigan (there's got to be some), people plant all sorts (native and not) in their landscaping. No wonder, firs can be beautiful trees. The previous owners of my house planted a white fir in the side yard. It is close enough to the house that I get a great view of the cones at the tippy-top of the tree from a second story window. I get to see the cones mature and fall apart as you mentioned leaving the candle-like pegs behind. FataMorgana |
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- Posted by Antman452 none (RonMerchant45@yahoo.com) on Tue, Feb 12, 13 at 20:28
| FataMorgana The only Abies species native to Michigan is A. balsamea. This species is found in northern Michigan, 300 miles plus north of where I live in Lansing, Michigan. I am sure there must be landscape planting of a few species in Lansing, but I would have no access to the cones. |
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- Posted by tsugajunkie z5 SE WI (My Page) on Tue, Feb 12, 13 at 21:48
| Abies balsamea is native to Michigan. In addition many private and public gardens grow various Abies like koreana, concolor, lasiocarpa, alba and many others in Michigan. Hidden Lakes Garden in southeast Michigan is a good example of this. You may also want to post this in the Conifer Forum where many coneheads hang out. tj |
Here is a link that might be useful: Conifer Forum
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