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How to Petrify a Cucumber

Petrification is the process by which minerals fill in the cavities between and within the cells of plants. Eventually most of the cellulose and lignin is replaced by silica or other minerals. In a natural setting, this takes place over centuries or millennia, but it is possible to create characteristics similar to petrification in just a few weeks. In this case, the cellulose and other organic substances remain in the plant specimen, but the pores and cavities are filled by the mineral solution, which gels and solidifies. Cucumbers and other fruits have a much higher moisture content than wood, so they are more susceptible to rotting than to petrification. Care must be taken to prevent the introduction of bacteria and fungi to the cucumbers during the petrification process. Also, this process may not work as well within the center of the cucumber fruit, which contains the seeds and has a gelled texture. The firm layer between the skin and the center should be much more susceptible to petrification, since it is more fibrous, and more similar to wood.

Things You'll Need

10 cups mineral water
Clay
10 cups 15 percent sodium silicate solution
Dilute citric acid, with a pH of 5.5 to 4
Jars with sealable lids, large enough to hold the cucumbers

Instructions

- 1
  Wash the jars thoroughly to remove any bacteria or other organic matter. Any germs left in the jars might cause the cucumbers to rot rather than petrify.
- 2
  Wash the clay thoroughly in one cup of the mineral water. This is done to saturate the mineral water with metal salts from the clay. Once the washing is finished, set the clay aside in a closed container, in case it is needed later to make more solution.
- 3
  Combine all of the mineral water, the sodium silicate solution, and seven drops of the citric acid in a large pot or bowl. Stir the mixture thoroughly.
- 4
  Wash the cucumbers thoroughly, and set them in the jars. Pour in enough of the mineral water solution to fill the jars. Place the lids on the jars, and seal them tightly.
- 5
  Set any remaining mineral water solution aside in a sealed container for later use.
- 6
  Remove one of the cucumbers after about one week to test the progress of the petrification. If the cucumber has not hardened sufficiently, replace the liquid in the jar with more of the mineral water solution. Repeat this step each week until the cucumber has reached sufficient hardness.
- 7
  Pat the cucumbers dry with paper towels, then dry them thoroughly by leaving them in a warm sunny spot for several days.

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