keeping conkers !

[flump1]

Hello all, I have gathered some windfall conkers and they have the most wonderful sheen on them as they are 'fresh' from the tree They look lovely sitting in a bowl in my sitting room ! How can I keep them ? As they are a fruit will they deteriorate ? Will they just lose their lovely sheen and go manky and stink ? !!

[brachiopod]

They won't "go manky and stink" - just fade to a dull colour and dry out.

The only way to keep them shiny is to preserve them in some form of fluid - I've just put young pod's milk teeth (as presented by surgeon in empty jar) - in vodka.

Remember as a young 'pod myself sticking (the biggest and best) conkers in my rugby socks - they faded by the first scrum.......

[lindapinda]

Hi Flump. I always to that too.Gather them up when they're all gorgeous and plump and shiney! Unfortunately..they will dry out and wizzen down to a much smaller size.They don't smell though!..I'd be interested to hear too,if there's any way to stop this?

[oldwoman]

Would a coat of varnish work do you think.

[brachiopod]

Good point, oldwoman, a good coat of varnish will keep the shine, but I don't know how it will cope with the shrinkage.

My own conkering days ended many years ago -though I hope that some of the trees I 'planted' when I was younger are now healthy thirty(-ahem) year old horse chestnuts.

Meanwhile, the (just turned) 3 year old 'pod has just discovered the joys of "shiny conkers".....

http://img242.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p9270 060vy5.jpg

[flump1]

Thanks brachiopod, for the reassurance that I was not harbouring some soon to go off conkers !! I will enjoy then while they last.
Lindapinda, I was caught by a visitor gathering my conkers and explained my actions as passing them on them to my nephews !!! The killjoys do not let children play with them the way we did , on a bit of string. I have some good sized ones too.
Old womad, what a good idea, !! Thanks for that ! I will have a go.

[brachiopod]

flump1, at least you weren't caught by the conkers gathering your visitor !!

[rocky999]

Did you know that supposidly, a conker places in all corners of rooms will keep spiders out. It is apparantly the smell they don't like, citronella or something like that.

Don't quote me on it, as I haven't tried it myself yet, but going to as we have had some massive spiders in our house over the past few week's and living with 2 huge spider phobics isn't much fun.