Suggestions For Tropical Vegetation

[Cacique Caribe]

I’ve found these three useful suggestions for the Latin America, SE Asia and Africa.

For sharp thorn thickets:

An Aquarium of Thorn Thickets

Tall grass:

More terrain pieces for my Vietnam project

Using washes on aquarium plants:

http://1000footgeneral.blogspot.com/2017/06/making-jungle-terrain.html

I hope it helps.

Question – What other clever and useful ideas have you come across to make a tropical wargaming table look more realistic and varied?

Dan
Loads of WIPs: https://www.flickr.com/photos/9593487@N07/albums/with/72157710630529376

[Patrice]

Interesting and inspiring, thanks. I’ve tried some of these ideas myself but not so much as this.

http://www.argad-bzh.fr/argad/en.html
https://www.anargader.net/

[Tony S]

Very timely post for me.  I’m going to be trying to make some jungle terrain very soon.   I think I might try a few of those suggestions you’ve provided Cacique.  Much appreciated!

I did hear of one other suggestion, from the Joy of Wargaming YouTube channel.  If you look at aquarium plants, there are two different types – one made entirely from a single colour, but if you look around Amazon, you can find plants produced in multiple colours.  Having some different shades of green on the leaves (and other colours) make the vegetation seem a bit more realistic.

Still glossy, but I’m going to try hitting it with some matte spray sealant.  See if that helps.

[Cacique Caribe]

Tony

Excellent point.  Variety is key, even in the plant itself.  Thanks!

Dan
Loads of WIPs: https://www.flickr.com/photos/9593487@N07/albums/with/72157710630529376

[Padre]

Useful stuff that aquarium greenery. Zombies glimpsed in the jungle at the edge of the sluggish river …

My Tilean Campaign can be found at https://bigsmallworlds.com/

[Cacique Caribe]

I found a source for the “thorn thickets”:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/125948750058?hash=item1d532168ea:g:VJcAAOSw6N9kbt1H&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA0DdUq0qvy3dbl%2BootlCDxfdzZwQS3NWdywuDuKdkA1or7bn5NPwlGI%2FF%2FCFlN4aYb2FLA2yVdPsZEzwtOrsmgukiH0PIf2dOn1q%2FEr99bAaM%2FCRNsE0MhEinZrgzZx99586TCO%2FRWx7sXIvHwLBK6QSc%2FMHWnIU1L2y%2FfRv0YEhc%2FFjq7q%2BZ%2FIrVyOeeGln0Zkxr82uhZyrYEzuLxjFeYfofXL%2ByiK7i3fJ95%2B8%2FRfsR%2BB1QEiUKDX0M4Nh0z54wSvLI2i22G7GPBOwTUN%2F%2FHw4%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR4Sprsm2Yg

Just select Type 3

Dan
Loads of WIPs: https://www.flickr.com/photos/9593487@N07/albums/with/72157710630529376

[Darkest Star Games]

That is pretty inexpensive!  I’ve seen the same brand for 4x that per square at various stores.

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Cacique Caribe]

And I’ve tried ordering similar sheets of “thorn plants” before but, when I get them, they have been replaced by a different type of plant.

At least this particular vendor seems to have had the plant type clearly specified, so I have hope that I’ll finally get the exact one shown in the photos.  Fingers crossed.  🙂

I’ll let everyone here know what they send me, once I open the parcel.

Dan
Loads of WIPs: https://www.flickr.com/photos/9593487@N07/albums/with/72157710630529376

[Cacique Caribe]

The “Type 3” plastic “thorn thickets” have finally arrived!!!

And they look exactly as advertised, perfect for semi arid thorn bushes.

Dan

An Aquarium of Thorn Thickets

Dan
Loads of WIPs: https://www.flickr.com/photos/9593487@N07/albums/with/72157710630529376

[Mike]

Cool! That’s a relief.

[Andrew Beasley]

You may find a few ideas the ‘The Great Burma Build’ playlist by Mel The Terrain Tutor on YouTube

I remember one time I tried painting these plastic plants was back in the Humbrol enamel days and it peeled off during use 🙁

[OB]

Great stuff Dan.  I’ve ordered a couple of sheets of thorn plants.  I can see many uses for them.  They look pretty durable too.

OB
http://withob.blogspot.co.uk/

[Cacique Caribe]

OB

I’ve already pulled all the little clumps from the plastic frame.  Makes it easier when you start the assembly line work.

Now I’m about to prep (and tile grout texture) a few PVC sheets for bases.  This is repetitive work but relaxing, at least to me it is.

After the thorn thickets are glued to the textured bases, I will hit them with dullcote and give them a little medium shade wash.

Thoughts?

Dan
Loads of WIPs: https://www.flickr.com/photos/9593487@N07/albums/with/72157710630529376

[OB]

A sound method I’d say Dan.  Mine are going on MDF bases irregular cut.

OB
http://withob.blogspot.co.uk/

[Cacique Caribe]

Question for anyone who might know …

In Africa, do thorn bushes typically grow along the sides of wadis?  Ir along seasonal rivers?

If so, I might start cutting my PVC bases in longer strips, to represent vegetation growth in areas where water occasionally flows.

Thoughts?

Dan
Loads of WIPs: https://www.flickr.com/photos/9593487@N07/albums/with/72157710630529376

[Author]

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