Using real prairie grass

[Iowadeerhunter]

Just wondering if it works if we use real prairie grass for our display? I know how to dry it out, but is there something we should dip it in or seal it with. Or is it just easier to buy some from van Dykes?

[WeaponX]

I used some on a habitat, sprayed it with krylon matte, to keep it stiff and it worked well.

[Missouri Creek Studio]

Hobby Lobby, Ben Franklin or maybe your local florist....there is a a spray that is used to help preserve dried grass/foilage. I use it all the time on bluestem ect...it helps it retain its strenght...less shattering ect.  they also have a s\pray to clean silk flowers that I  use to spruce up older/ dusty habitiat foilage.

[Sikk]

Its a lot of work but after I dry my grasses I insert a wire into the stem as far as I can to aid in strength,(you may have to drill or dremel an entry hole through the nodule by the roots) and also to use this wire as an anchor for sticking it into the base. As time passes if one needs to freshen up the habitat, you just pull out the bad plants and replace with new ones. I also spray with a satin Krylon spray to help lock the fibers together. I do the same on corn, sorghum, etc. paul