Leo Martínez
Creating a crystal tree is a fun and easy way to experiment with crystal growth. The process involves crafting a tree shape out of cardboard or paper, painting it with food colouring, and then submerging it in a crystal-growing solution. This solution is typically made by mixing salt, water, bluing, ammonia, and food colouring. As the tree soaks in the solution, crystals begin to form, and within a few hours to a couple of days, the tree is covered in delicate, needle-like crystals. To add a creative twist, some people choose to make a wired tree with crystals attached to the branches, using wire, glue, and a base such as a small pot or a stone.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Cardboard, salt, water, bluing, ammonia, food colouring, stones, wire, glue, small pot or larger stone |
| Tree shape | Triangles, pine tree, or any shape with sharp points for crystals to grow on |
| Base | Small pot or a larger stone |
| Time | Crystals can form within 15 minutes to a few hours, or even a couple of days without ammonia |
| Crystal growth mechanism | Capillary action, where the liquid is drawn up through the cardboard tree; evaporation then occurs, leaving crystals on the tree |
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What You'll Learn
Cardboard is a good base for growing crystals
Cardboard is an excellent base for growing crystals. The process involves creating a crystal solution, which is then absorbed by the cardboard through capillary action. Capillary action is the ability of a liquid to flow upwards, defying gravity. The solution is drawn up through the porous cardboard, and as the liquid evaporates, crystals begin to form.
When selecting cardboard for this experiment, it is important to consider the type and thickness. Corrugated cardboard, for example, has a wavy structure that allows for faster absorption of the solution, resulting in larger crystals. However, it may not be ideal for long-term projects as it tends to become soggy and floppy over time. On the other hand, the thick cardboard backing from a legal pad or a notebook tablet can provide a more durable base. While it may take longer for the solution to wick up, it can last for several weeks without collapsing.
To create a crystal tree using cardboard, start by drawing and cutting out a tree shape with sharp points at the ends of the branches. This can be done freehand or by tracing a template. Cut out slots in the middle of the tree pieces to allow them to interlock and form a 3D structure. You can experiment with different cardboard colours or paint the cardboard with food colouring to add a personalized touch to your crystal tree.
Once your cardboard tree is ready, prepare the crystal solution by mixing ingredients such as salt, water, bluing, ammonia, and food colouring. Place your tree in a dish and pour the solution over it, allowing it to absorb the liquid. Within a few hours, you should start to see crystals forming, and by the next day, your tree will be beautifully adorned with delicate, needle-like crystals.
The cardboard base provides an accessible and affordable option for growing crystals at home. It serves as a sturdy foundation for the crystals to grow on, creating a captivating display that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a bit of creativity and patience, you can experiment with different cardboard types, crystal solutions, and shapes to design your unique crystal creations.
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Mix a solution of salt, water, bluing, ammonia, and food colouring
To mix a solution of salt, water, bluing, ammonia, and food colouring, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of salt
- 2 tablespoons of water
- 2 tablespoons of bluing (Mrs. Stewart's Bluing is recommended)
- 1 tablespoon of ammonia (optional, but it increases the rate of evaporation, helping crystals grow faster)
- Several drops of food colouring
First, put the salt, water, and bluing in a glass or plastic bowl. Stir the mixture until the salt is dissolved. Then, add the ammonia and stir again. Finally, add the food colouring and stir until everything is combined.
This solution can be used to grow crystals on a tree. To do this, start by drawing and cutting out a tree shape with points on the ends of the branches from sturdy paper or cardboard. Cut slots down the middle of the tree shape, and slot the pieces together to form a 3D tree. Place the tree in a dish and pour the crystal solution over it. Allow the tree to sit undisturbed for at least 24 hours. Crystals should begin to form on the tips of the tree branches due to capillary action, the same process that trees use to bring water up from their roots to their branches.
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Soak the tree in the solution and let it dry
To paint and put crystals on a tree, you can follow these steps:
First, decide on the type of tree you want to create. You can use cardboard or paper as your base material. Cardboard, especially corrugated cardboard, can be useful if you want bigger crystals, but it may become soggy and flop over. For a longer-lasting tree, consider using the back of a legal pad or thick cardboard, which holds up better when wet.
Next, cut out your tree shape, ensuring it has plenty of sharp points at the ends of the branches where crystals can grow. You can also cut out slots in the middle of your tree pieces and slot them together to form a 3D tree.
Now, it's time to soak your tree in the crystal solution and let it dry. Prepare your crystal solution by mixing 2 tablespoons of salt, 2 tablespoons of water, 2 tablespoons of bluing (a laundry additive like Mrs. Stewart's Bluing), 1 tablespoon of ammonia, and several drops of green food coloring. Stir the mixture until the salt is dissolved.
Before placing your tree in the solution, add a few drops of green food coloring to each of the tips of your tree. This ensures that the crystals will be a nice green color. Then, place your tree in a dish and pour the crystal mixture over it. Let your tree sit for at least 24 hours. The crystals will form due to capillary action, where the paper tree sucks up the crystal solution, and then the liquid starts to evaporate from the branches, leaving behind crystals.
You can also experiment with different techniques for painting trees, such as the wet-in-wet technique, dry brush technique, splattering, sponge application, spraying, dragging, lifting, and wax resist/masking fluid/oil pastel.
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Use hot glue to attach the tree to a base, like a small pot
Once you are happy with your crystal-wired tree, it is time to attach it to a base. You can use a small pot, as I did, or you can attach it to a larger stone, in which case you will need some glue. Here is a step-by-step guide to attaching your tree to a small pot:
Firstly, you will need to cut the root/end wires down to fit into your chosen pot. Ensure that they are cut evenly, and to the correct length, using wire cutters. Next, apply a generous amount of hot glue into the hole in the pot. You can use a glue gun for this. Now, carefully insert your tree into the hole, ensuring that it is straight. Hold the tree in place until the glue dries. This may take a little while, so be patient! Holding it in place while the glue dries will ensure that your tree does not dry crooked.
Now that your tree is secure in its pot, you can place it wherever you like and enjoy your beautiful creation!
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Add stones to wire branches and twist wires together
To add stones to wire branches and twist wires together, start by cutting a wire to your desired length, keeping in mind that you will need to cut a larger strip of wire if you want to make a bigger tree. Next, slide a stone onto the wire and position it in the middle. Twist the wire to secure the stone in place. Repeat this process, adding more stones to the wire and twisting the wire to hold them in place. Remember to twist the wire in the same direction each time to avoid undoing previous sections. The distance between the stones and the main branch can be adjusted according to your preferred look.
Once you have added enough stones to create a branch, you can start assembling the tree. Separate the bottom wires of one branch and combine them with the end wires of another branch before twisting them together. Intertwining the wires before twisting will create a more stable structure. Continue adding and twisting branches until you are satisfied with the shape of your tree. Ensure you leave enough wire at the end to create roots or attach the tree to a base, such as a small pot or a larger stone.
For the base, you can use hot glue to secure the tree in place. Cut the root or end wires to fit the base, apply a generous amount of hot glue, and insert the tree. Hold it in position until the glue dries to ensure the tree stays straight.
You can also get creative with the roots by twisting them together in sections to form intricate root structures. However, be mindful of wire length, as shorter wires may poke out and affect the overall appearance.
The number of stones you attach to each branch will depend on the size of the tree you want to create. Most branches in the example have four stones, but you can vary the number to create unique shapes and designs. Remember to use both ends of the wire when adding stones to maintain balance in the branch structure.
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Frequently asked questions
You can make a crystal-covered tree using salt crystals, cardboard, and a few other household items. First, cut out a tree shape with points on the ends of the branches from sturdy paper or cardboard. Then, add a slot down the middle of the tree shape, and slot the two pieces together to form a 3D tree. Next, mix a solution of salt, water, bluing, ammonia, and food colouring. Place the tree in a dish and pour the solution over it. Wait 24 hours, and crystals should form!
The type of cardboard you use depends on how long you want your crystal tree to last. If you want your tree to last for several weeks, use thick cardboard such as the back of a legal pad. If you want a quick demonstration that will only last several days, corrugated cardboard is a better option.
Bluing is a laundry additive used to brighten whites. It is typically sold in the laundry aisle of a grocery store or on Amazon. Mrs. Stewart's Bluing is recommended for this project.
You can attach your tree to a base using hot glue and a glue gun. First, cut the root/end wires so that they fit into your base, which can be a small pot or a larger stone. Then, apply a generous amount of hot glue into the hole and insert your tree. Hold it in place until the glue dries.
The number of stones you attach to each branch depends on the size of the tree and the look you want. For a small tree, you can make most branches with three or four stones in them.
