From what I've seen, everyone seems to do it differently! What I've seen so far:

* Embed a piece of bent/curved rebar into the back of the leaf, leaving about half of it sticking out so it can be inserted into a base. Make sure the rebar is bent into the shape you want BEFORE you embed it in the leaf.

* Make your own base like a birdbath base or a fake rock, etc, building it with a piece of PVC pipe going down the center. Make sure the pipe is of a size that will accept the rebar that is embedded in the leaf.

* If you're using a length of concrete sewer pipe or something like that (hollow) as a base, find something you can use as a mold (ring-shaped) that would fit inside the sewer pipe, and set it on the underside of the leaf while you're making it or shortly after, and fill it with concrete, so you have a leaf with a lump that can be inserted into the top of the pipe.

* You could conceivably build a base in place, and mortar the leaf onto it.

I'm sure others here will have even more ideas. Just remember that the whole arrangement MUST BE ABSOLUTELY STABLE! The base must either be much heavier than the leaf, or embedded in the ground or embedded with concrete. Whichever, you must make SURE that the whole arrangement won't move. If it can't survive the idiocies of a group of teenage boys, you could end up with a lawsuit on your hands.

Sue

oriole6, I set up a temporary display of my leaf fountain using buckets and boxes for the different heights. and then covered it with artificial lawn material. Just shaped it to the look I wanted and ran the hose under the turf from my bottom basin to the top header leaf. You can use the same principal outdoors, with rocks piled up and positioned, then fill it in and cover it with dirt. Position your leaves, plant whatever flowers or bushes you want. Instant slope. I have a picture but I have'nt tried to send them to this site yet (lack of computer skills).hope this have given you another option. MSW

What great ideas! I just needed a kick-start.

Thanks so much!

The ones that I have made use a bit more material, but I use the tubes for concrete footings. I cut the desired size, fill with mix of concrete, set the leaf on top to get the correct fitting. Remove the leaf before it sets. When its dry, just peal the cardboard off. When using tufa you can carve any shape that you want. Just leave the shape at the top for support. Anything bigger that 8 inches you should reinforce with rebar.

Purplecatt,

Can you give me an idea of how long to let the concrete mix set so I can still carve it?

Mine sat in the unheated garage during the fall, it took 36-48 hours depending on the heat and humidity.

For my birdbath, I embedded a plumbers flange right into the back of the leaf. Then, used a length of threaded pvc pipe, and screwed it in. Pounded rebar into the ground, slpped the pvc over it, and painted the pipe copper.
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Jean

Awesome! May be awhile, but I'll post pics when the project is done.
Jean, the birds must come for miles to bathe in your special birdbath.

Jean,
Nice job. Did you seal the leaf? If so would you share what type sealant you used? please,
Dena

Dena,
No, I didn't seal it. I wasn't sure what to seal it with that wouldn't harm the birds. I made it about 2 years ago, and just really put it out this year to make sure it was cured well before the birds got in the water.

Jean

Thanks, Dena, for trying to help out with sealants! Jean, that is awesome. I ended up using copper pipe itself. Wasn't too expensive and I thought it might look cool once it has some patina as I painted my birdbath. So now the trick is too find some type of bird friendly sealant so the paint is protected. I just love creating this stuff. It is soooo much fun and everyone is so great on this forum. Here is how mine turned out. I have it sitting on my van seat instead of on the copper pipe; had to take a quick pic. Now it is seeping water but I may have a fix for that. I am going to try some epoxy. I have fiqured out how to stop the leaks, now. That was my second attempt at leaf casting. What kind of leaf did you use, Jean?
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Someone had talked about a sealer that was safe for concrete counter tops so I would think it would be animal friendly also. Can't remember what post it was in.
Paws

I was wondering how safe a mixture of mineral spirits and linseed oil would be for the birds. This would seal nicely. I have also heard of using bees wax. Now I know this would be safe.
jo

This isn't exactly a leaf fountain, but as for how to mount cast leaves...I like to put the copper "reducers" in. This is the short little piece that allows plumbers to connect a 3/4" copper pipe to a 1/2" pipe. I embed this in the base of the leaf as I am casting it with a small amount of the 1/2" end of the reducer showing. Then to mount, I pound a 3/8" diameter rebar (available in cut lengths at Home Depot) into the ground for stability. To finish, slide a 1/2" copper pipe over the top and mount the leaf to it. Very stable. Or for a fountain you could attach to 1/2" refrigerator coil that could be bent or curved to accomdate the fountain design!! Over time the copper develops a verdigris that is pleasant in the garden. See below an example in my garden. An added note... I have found that building up the base like this to embed the reducer seems to make the leaf far sturdier to withstand very cold winter weather without cracking!
(img)(http://www.imgholder.com/uploads/2005/07/20/10/birdbathside.JPG)
(img)(http://www.imgholder.com/uploads/2005/07/20/10/birdbathtop.JPG)

Nancy

Trying this one more time for putting the images in the post missing from above!
Nancy

[img]http://www.imgholder.com/uploads/2005/07/20/10/birdbathside.JPG[img/]

[img]http://www.imgholder.com/uploads/2005/07/20/10/birdbathtop.JPG[img/]

try
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and...

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Great birdbath! That is an amazing sized hosta leaf!