Corn stalks & decorating for Halloween
+3
I to go over board for Halloween and buy a lot of corn stalks and when purchased they are all dried and bound and I zip-tie them to a steak to keep them upright but then here comes the October rains and they tend to get tired looking and wilted before Halloween arrives. Is there anything to spray on them to preserve them to last?
Thank you in advance
6 answers
-
![Janet Pizaro]()
Janet Pizaro
on Sep 25, 2017
Use a clear laquer spray form krylon or rustoleum -
![Linda Sikut]()
Linda Sikut
on Sep 25, 2017
I've looked, looked, and looked and basically come up with nothing. One person wanted to know if painting them with Mod Podge would help, but her question got no answer and I don't think it would work anyway. Corn stalks have to be dry to look right, so maybe use something else to tie them to your stake and bring them in when rain is in the forecast? I suppose you could try a spray sealer but it would be almost impossible to completely seal them. I think you'll just have to put them out later, keep some in the garage for a change after it rains or just let it go and enjoy what Mother Nature does. - Sorry. -
![KattywhampusLOL]()
KattywhampusLOL
on Sep 25, 2017
Hello Barb, In the following article I liked the idea she mentioned about using tomato cages as support for the corn stalks (upside down I would imagine) and arranging some of the shocks around them (you can tie the bunches snuggly to a pole that runs up the middle of the upside down tomato cage, and secured into the ground). Or perhaps if you have porch columns you could secure the tops (well, near the tops) on the columns while the tomato cages support the bottom part, although they would probably appear to be lodging (which could be a natural occurrence from wind). Anyway here is the link I am talking about:http://mentalfloss.com/article/52991/lets-make-some-fall-decorationsOR perhaps you could just take the droopy ones down temporarily and hang them up in the garage to dry out again? They'd have to be dried out before you could spray them with anything anyway, and maybe they will stiffen back up enough to display again (perhaps with the tomato cage supposrt? LOL). OR, better yet, get green stalks now and use your garage or basement to dry them out yourself to replace any that get "floppy" from damp weather >>>http://www.creeklinehouse.com/2017/08/dry-corn-stalks-fall-decor.htmlhttps://www.hunker.com/12504005/how-to-dry-cornstalkshttp://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Dry-Corn-Stalks-/10000000205640710/g.htmlThanks for asking HOMETALK for solutions :) -
![Carey]()
Carey
on Sep 25, 2017
If you have cattails in your area, try adding some cattails to your cornstalk arrangement and tie to them with rafia or natural colored twine so that it blends in. The rain will help the cattails remain closed and they don't slouch when wet like the cornstalks apparently do. Another option might be to tie up closer to the top the ones in the middle and add more tie each layer a bit lower so that the drooping ones are only those on the very outside so that it is just part of the design. -
![PJ Wise]()
PJ Wise
on Sep 25, 2017
When we use stalks as decorations, we tie them around a metal fence post (buy from farm store, about $4), pound it into the location, and wire the stalks in several locations (bottom, center and top, under the tassels). If adding bows, other decorations, etc, wire them separately to the pole, not to the stalks. We haven't really had issues with corn stalks drooping, etc., and have been able to put them up for Halloween through Thanksgiving. Of course, high winds and early heavy snows can take their toll on the stalks, but that's what happens in the fields if the corn has not been harvested. -
![Barb]()
Barb
on Sep 26, 2017
Thank you and I have that left over from another project.
Janet Pizaro
on Sep 25, 2017
Linda Sikut
on Sep 25, 2017
KattywhampusLOL
on Sep 25, 2017
Sign Up to Answer
Suggested Project Book
