Homestead mailing list

[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

On Oct 8, 2008, at 12:46 PM, EarthNSky wrote:

> Gene GeRue wrote:
> > On Oct 8, 2008, at 12:27 PM, EarthNSky wrote:
> > > Have you ever experimented using algae or pond scum, mixed into the
> > > concrete to color it?
> >
> > No, I have not yet sunk that low.
>
> Do you think it would work-impregnating the porosity with chlorophyl  
> and
> then sealing it to preserve it?

Dunno. You are the chemist.

My guess is it would quickly fade. UV is strong.

I wonder if those who work with yarns and textiles would have ideas on  
organic color sources.

I had great hopes some years back about using walnut husk as a stain.  
I put a bunch of walnuts in husk into the lower concrete floor of the  
East Wing and put some water on them. The husks made a beautiful brown  
stain on the concrete. Alas, it did not last, gradually just washed  
away.

I have recently had a pole barn built. We will do the concrete floor  
work in small squares, about four feet each side. Chris mixes; I pour  
and finish. There I will experiment with various stains and coloring  
techiques. We want a concrete floor in the Bed House I have designed  
and will build starting next year, so we want to find out what color  
techniques we like.