leaf liter

highfyre · #1 (**permalink**) 03-12-2010, 04:15 PM

Im in the midwest. KC MO. What should I do this time of year to come up with a good leaf liter? What type of leaf and what should I do with them after I find them? Bake them for a while?

JJhuang · #2 (**permalink**) 03-12-2010, 07:10 PM

I use magnolia leafs. I usually rinse them off then either bake them or place some in a large bowl with water and boil them in the microwave. Then i just let them dry out for a few days or week then they turn hard and shazam leaf litter.

highfyre · #3 (**permalink**) 03-12-2010, 07:56 PM

BTW....Obviously I cant spell. Litter!

Jellyman · #4 (**permalink**) 03-12-2010, 08:52 PM

I have a bunch of magnolia leaves you can have. I get them from my wife's parents.

highfyre · #5 (**permalink**) 03-12-2010, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jellyman

I have a bunch of magnolia leaves you can have. I get them from my wife's parents.

That would be cool! Can you send them by mail?

flapjax3000 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-12-2010, 10:20 PM

Just boil your leaves, they will remain intact. Also try to make sure to collect leaves that have not been sprayed with pesticides. Sometimes its just best to buy some if you do not have a safe location to collect from. They are fairly cheap.

yumpster · #7 (**permalink**) 03-13-2010, 12:31 AM

Yeah, they generally run about $5 or less for a gallon size bag. Which is plenty to do a fairly large tank or several small tanks.

Jellyman · #8 (**permalink**) 03-13-2010, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highfyre

That would be cool! Can you send them by mail?

I sure can.

highfyre · #9 (**permalink**) 03-13-2010, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yumpster

Yeah, they generally run about $5 or less for a gallon size bag. Which is plenty to do a fairly large tank or several small tanks.

Oh thats not bad at all. Who do you suggest buying them from?

stingfrog · #10 (**permalink**) 03-13-2010, 02:26 AM

Mag leaves are great if you can get them. They last a while in most vivs. Surely you have some oak trees around you. They work good too just don't last as long. I live in the middle of Illinois and am lucky. There are some magnolia trees about 3 hrs South of me so when I am in the need I go there and pick up enough to last the year. I also just the other day found some live oak trees ( yes they do grow in Illinois) just about 3 blocks away and picked several bags from the trees. That way I know they are not soiled by dogs or deer. You can boil or bake them to make them safe. I usually boil my magnolia leaves then use the water from them to make tadpole tea after I dilute it.