Deena you can shovel some active compost on top and keep it damp.
Those bugs will make quick work of the leaf.
Helps cure the crete as well.:)

I have used a pressure washer, comes right off.

LIGHTLY use a blowtorch.Fulfils your pyro urges!
Cheers from here

And the blow torch, or the pressure washer won't ruin the concrete leaf?

Good question! I would let it set up for several days before blasting it with water, or for that matter (not knowing how wet the leaf is) even burning it off, if the leaf is dry it would burn off pretty quick, if wet there might be an accelerated drying effect on the concrete?

Squash have hairy leaves so this is likely what's keeping it hanging on, letting nature take it's decomposition course and helping it along with compost should work. I've put leaves in a water bath to help with the curing and the leaf eventually rots off - but - there is a school of thought that says this increases the efflorescence, I believe that to be true so if the grasshoppers ever leave my ruhbarb alone I'll do the mist and wait. Eventually the concrete gets hard and the leaf shrinks, then attack it with a brush and pick :)

I never thought of using compost, but I certainly like the idea! It would stay damp (good for curing), and the microherd should get every bit of leaf material.

Sue

Hi Sue
Using compost is always an adventure.
Try a white portland piece.
The color it comes out may surprise you.
It's always different.
I have 3 small pots in compost right now under mostly juicing pulp. Carrots, beets, spinich.
I'm looking forward to see what interest patinas I get.
I greased one down with bacon fat and packed on potato skin pulp before tossing it in the compost.
I have no idea what will come out but it's always interesting.:)
Unfortunately the colors always fade but even then you get some nice brown/black patinas.

I plan to try sealing the colors in on this next batch.

I figured the compost might give some interesting colouration, but what you are using could give some very specific colours...hmmmmm.....I have a crete leaf that I painted very thinly, like a wash, but still it's too garish, wonder if burying it in the compost might mellow it out a bit? :) I was thinking a new leaf might be too alkaline for the microherd?

Deena,
If you hit it with some water and let it dry a little more, then more water it will usually come off easier, especially if you shoot the spray at the edges of the leaf. I also go through the bigger veins with a nut pick or dental pick and slice it open several times to begin the breakdown process. I just finished doing that with a gunnera leaf, and was able to remove the leaf in just a couple days. I have left the leaf on and just like Tufaenough commented about the coloration of compost, leaving the leaf on to compost sometimes does the same thing. Since I do many of my leaves indoors it is unlikely I will use compost.
Happy future casting,
Dena

If ya ain't in a hurry just let it dry like I do most of the time. Even the rhubarb stems shrink and slip right out after they dry .

Deena, If you don't want your first leaf casting to break have patience and let it sit. When the leaf casting is still new; too much moving or a blast of water can break the casting. Using a blast of water on a new leaf can also blast out details. Once the leaf hardens up in a couple of days; you'll be able to remove the leaf using water from your hose and an awl or ice pick. Billie

Thanks for everyone's advice! I'll check it out tonight, and see what it looks like. A couple of days ago, the leaf had started to turn brown, and black, but it wasn't lifting off yet. It's been about a week since I casted it. The compost sounds like an interesting idea! Might try that!

Deena

Hi Deena
A word of warning about composting. I don't paint my stuff and compost puts an interesting sealing 'finish' on the concrete I like. Water tends to bead up on it for a while.
It might cause problems for paint or staining later if you are so inclined.

Um, someone a while back suggested that using DUCT TAPE helps remove the leaf! You use the tape sorta like you use the cloth strips when you wax your legs!! {{gwi:71082}} LOL

I've got a gourd leaf curing right now and they are 'hairy' as well. Softer than a zucchini but still hairy. I'll be trying the duct tape on it!

Marly

Oh well, maybe another day! lol The leaf came right off the stone! I'm not totally 'thrilled' with the resulting casting though because the downy-like hairs didn't give a nice smoooooooth casting. It is more rough looking. But it still looks like a leaf so I'll use it! lol

Marly

I wonder if pumpkin leaves would give a better or worse surface. I'm considering trying the duct tape on one BEFORE casting to see if I can get any of the little hairs off. Or perhaps freezing the leaf first. Oh, so many experiments, so little time.

Ive done a few castings of zuccini and pumpkin leaves and they all come out not so smooth. Is this a result of the hairs on the leaves or some other chemical reaction. It appears as if the cement doesnt set as well on these leaves. Bits of sand wash free. Is this true for anyone else that casts these leaves?

Marly wrote:
Oh well, maybe another day! lol The leaf came right off the stone! I'm not totally 'thrilled' with the resulting casting though because the downy-like hairs didn't give a nice smoooooooth casting. It is more rough looking. But it still looks like a leaf so I'll use it! lol
Marly

Marly-

How about those little shavers they make for sweater pilling? I would think shaving would be kinder to the leaf than tearing off duct tape.

Jo

I let the leaf just sit for a couple days, and last night when I looked at it, it was starting to flake off. I used a old small broom to "dust" the leaf off. It came off pretty easy. Still some hanging on. The veins came off all attatched to each other. I think I'll give it a couple more days and then try again. Patience might be the best way for this one. Also, It appears that the pebbles in the sand might be coming out of the top of the leaf and leaving small holes...do you think that could be possible, or are those air bubble holes? Wondering if maybe I should of gotten a better grade sand...if that's possible? I just bought regular sand.

Thanks for everyones help.
Deena

Oh, yes, duct tape is great, power wash and patience. It will all come off some day. The holes are air bubbles. Do not use any release. It causes bubbles, and before you put your mix on the leaves, bang down your box of mix a bunch of times, or vibrate it to get the air bubbles out and your casting will be nice and smooth.

Has anyone been able to get smooth casting of Zucchini/Squash/pumpkin leaves? Everyone I have done is grainy and the sand comes out a bit. With the same batch of cement I cast other types of leaves and they are nice and smooth. It is as if something in the leaf itself prevents the cement from curing properly so the sand washes out and gives it this grainy look. But maybe it is because the leaves are hairy.

Just wanted to add a thought about the surface texture results with some leaves. I believe the sugar content of some leaves gives this grainy effect. I noticed it more pronounce with rhubarb that say burdock using the same mix of tufa. The hairs matter as well, especially if you attempt to remove early, they actually pull up some mix. This is another reason I've always used a release (pam)on the leaf surface. Helps minimize the contact with the cement.
Leigh

Hi, y'all. Pumpkin leaves are not smooth, and elephant ears are. So pumpkin leaves have more texture. That is alright. If you pat too hard when applying the concrete, you "squash" the leaf and the juice has starches in it. This "juice" will result in the concrete not setting up and washing out. In the fall, when the leaves are starting to get spots on them (I am referring to the sycamore leaves I cast) these spots are releasing starches while decomposing and also will cause the concrete not to set up properly. It is critical not to damage your leaves. I have used a thin coat of vaseline brushed on carefully with some good results to prevent the starches interfering with the setting up. The pumpkin is not cast, it is freeform.
{{gwi:71084}}

Very nice sculpting job on the pumpkin. I'd never have know it wasn't from a mold. I like the setting amongst the leaves.

Good job!

Jo

I dont know if anyone ever got you the answer you needed. But what I do is spay the leaf with pam spray prior to putting the concrete on and I have not ever had a problem with them not coming off. Cheers