We tried to get them to change the name of the forum years ago because we are all cement products here: hypertufa, mortar, stucco, fresco, concrete, papercrete, quikwall.

Hairy leaves stick to cement mixes. You do not have to spray a release on leaves. As you can see, it doesn't help.

Yes, you can gently remove now or let the castings finish curing and then remove. Use dental picks, small knitting needles, awl or tapestry needle to remove the veins. The leaf will eventually dry up and be easier to remove.
Why are you anxious? Billie

Thanks...I worked on these yesterday gently with the tip of a knife. I was anxious because the cast leaves had some places I was able to peel and some that the green was still adhering. I wondered if as the leaves cure over three weeks the bits still on the cast will discolor those spots. I do not plan to paint these leaves.

Huh...So don't bother to spray? I was thinking I'd spray more next time!!

Deborah

If you want to spray; go ahead. I've never used a release on leaves, some leaves stick and others don't. I've been making leaf castings for years.
Bits of leave stain the cement? It's possible.
What cement mix did you use and are these stepping stones? How thick did you make them? You do have to watch the veins. If the veins too deep and you didn't reinforce they can break only the veins. Hope you're having fun! Billie

Thanks Billie...also for responding on Accoutrements...I agree, it'd be easier for those of us who do assorted things with cement to all be in one place! I used one Portland, one sand, one perlite. But now I have seen that just Portland and sand is more traditional and I will do this on next batch.

I did hypertufa leaves last year and they were very lumpy! I didn't reinforce and many larger ones broke. These I just finished I did w. tape and did a bit thicker. They are not stepping stones but curved and for ornaments. I am going to do some stepping stones though.

Now I am going to put in here how I finally got the stems and veins off. Billy probably saw it on Accoutrements but if anybody is searching for this on Hypertufa I want to share how well it worked!!

To get the stem and veins off: I peeled the leaf pieces off...times consuming but do-able. Then I worked at the stems and veins with little success. I decided to try a hard steam of water with a hose. And it does work! I have a tool (pointed screwdriver) and aim a pretty hard stream of water at the end of the vein. The end lifts and using the pointed tool to keep things going I continue to use the stream of water and yay! The stems and veins come out pretty easily.

thank you Billie for all your attention

Whew! Deborah

I responded on accoutrements????
Deborah, The stream of water works really well but if you do it to soon, you can blast a hole right through the piece. I don't usually mention it any more. I never heard the end of it from one poster here who didn't follow directions and tried to use the water method before the casting was completely setup.
Glad to hear you were successful. Billie

Get some cheap dental picks from American Science and Surplus.

Two other methods: soak them in water (kid's wading pool is great) until they rot and can be brushed off, or set in the sun until the leaves dry up.

Sue

Here is a link that might be useful: Amer. Sci. & Surplus Dental Tools

Drying in the air - and using a toothbrush on dry leaf bits works fine.

It is so comforting to see that you are still here, Billie! Your help is so very important!

The very reason we like to cast rhubarb leaves is because of their thick, deep veins. Because of these veins, they're tricky to remove. Once I flip the leaves over, I let them sit a day or two. Then, I take my old kitchen knife and gradually slice into the thick, woody veins. This way, I don't try to pop out the vein all at once, and break the cast (which I've done a few times). The trickiest part is taking out the veins, and you just have to have patience and pick them out carefully. It's one of those things I like to do for mindless entertainment. The rest will eventually dry and you can easily wire brush the decayed leaf off the cast. It just takes a few days from start to finish, depending on how big your leaf is.