I am nearing the point of vegetation planting. I have a few packages of lichens and grasses from WS etc. that I can use.
But I was wondering if anyone had a good retail source or crackerjack idea for desert-type plants? I am particularly thinking of something to look like yucca, spikey grasses like ones called basketgrass or beargrass, desert broom, tumbleweeds, and of course some various cacti.
This is my backdrop
I have enough trees I can make look like acacia and desert varieties of pine for upland areas.
Contact Scenic Express and request a copy of their latest catalog – they carry desert plants such as buffalo grass tufts, saguaro cactus, etc. in their catalog in O, HO, and N scale.
I learned to make great Saguaro from casting resin. They are full sized for HO and thus large. I learned to make fair saguaro from plastic clay. They are smaller and ok for background and mountain scenes. I just picked up some sticks that will make good Ocatillo (I hope).
I found buying these plants almost impossible, The ones I did buy were so bad I didn’t use them. I am still working on Teddy Bear Jumping Cactus and Pallo Verde trees. I will follow this thread to see what others have learned.
I can’t believe no on has posted about MR’s own Pelle Soeborg on this. His scenery is one of the best when it comes to desert scenery. He has several books including http://www.kalmbachstore.com/12433.html
Thanks fellows. Yes, this gentleman Pelle has the right look. I can tell from the photos he has used the Scenic Express buffalo grass that I was directed to in this thread. It looks great and I will be getting some. Unfortunately it is also true as stated in a post above, that the saguaro and other cacti on this and other retail sites is really really horrible looking. I guess I will make my own cacti but the buffalo grass is ideal.
I would like to hear of any progress you make on these. I grew up in Desert Hot Springs and these were everywhere. They are so tiny and prickly, I cant imagine trying to model one
