How to Grow Lichen

Lichens are a form of fungus that grows on almost any outdoor surface in the right environment. Lichens thrive in moist areas of low light with good air quality. The presence of lichens can give an antiqued look to the surface on which they grow. Growing your own lichens can help you achieve an aged look on your outdoor statues, garden ornaments or walls.

Spray bottle
Milk
Lichen flakes

Instructions

- 1
  Select a surface for growing the lichen. The surface can be a rock, tree or garden statue. Whatever surface you chose, it must be in a shady spot.
- 2
  Fill a spray bottle with milk. Collect 2 tsps. of lichens from the same environment where you want the lichens to grow. Crush the lichen flakes and pour them into the spray bottle with the milk. Gently shake the bottle to mix the solution.
- 3
  Spray the surface where you want the lichens to grow liberally with the milk solution. Soak the surface until the milk runs down the material. Do not spray the surface on a wet day or the rain may wash away the lichen spores.
- 4
  Repeat the application once a week until the lichens begin to grow.

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