9. Cast Giant Gunnera or Rhubarb Leaf Bath
What This Idea Means A nature-cast sculpture created by pouring liquid concrete directly over an upturned giant Gunnera, Rhubarb, or Hosta leaf. The finished piece captures the intricate leaf veins and organic concave contours.
Materials Needed
- One large, intact Gunnera, Rhubarb, or large Philodendron leaf
- Sand (for molding the base mound)
- Fine-aggregate sand-mix concrete
- Wire mesh reinforcement (hardware cloth) cut to size
- Non-toxic concrete acrylic stain and matte outdoor sealer
How to Make It
- Build a smooth, rounded mound of damp sand on a flat surface to create the desired bowl depth.
- Place the leaf face-down (prominent veins facing up) over the sand mound.
- Mix concrete to a workable, peanut-butter consistency and gently spread a 1-inch layer over the leaf.
- Press wire mesh into the concrete layer, then cover with a second 1-inch concrete layer, smoothing the edges.
- Cover with plastic wrap and let cure slowly for 4–5 days.
- Flip the structure over, peel the dried leaf off the surface, clean the fine vein details, and apply a non-toxic concrete sealer.
Tips and Variations
- Tip: Mist the curing concrete with water daily to prevent hairline surface fractures.
- Variation: Tint the concrete with deep olive green or copper metallic pigment to accentuate the cast botanical veins.