Cast Reindeer Moss?

[Dustman]

Hello everyone. I was at a local nursery with my wife looking at house plants when I saw a display of Reindeer Moss bagged up and hanging on the wall. If you separate the pieces they look like shrubs or small trees. I've had this stuff about 6 months now with the intent of casting it around a brass tube with Alumalite slow. Does anyone out there have any experience casting this stuff. Will it turn brown or ... rot? The people at the nursery couldn't answer my questions. I just saw a thread here about Spanish moss being cast in a pen. Gives me hope. Thoughts?

 

[Drewby108]

You could, but you'll have to dry it out super well first. I'd suggest baking it at 170 degrees (lowest my oven goes) for a little while and casting once it is cooled down a little. This will help keep air bubbles from coming out into the resin.

Others with more experience will likely chime in with other suggestions

 

[JohnU]

I cast some years ago that was dyed red to look like veins. You definitely need to dry it or the resin won't be clear. Also, it's not uncommon for air to seep out and leave shiny air pockets along the stems. A pressure pot will help along with making sure your resin is thin when you pour it so it can get in and along all of the small voids and stems.