Pine needle cross section

[RudiV]

I am still playing with sections stained using food dyes. This hand-cut CS of a pine needle was stained with red and blue food colorant. To try and get some color differences I have raised the PH of the blue and lowered it on the red, staining first with the blue and then the red.

The sections are not as thin as I would like, need to look harder for a microtome.

10x objective, 23 image stack, DF illumination.



20x objective, 31 image stack, DF illumination.



Thanks for looking!
Rudi

[hkv]

Very nice colors! Like it very much. Hard to believe it is hand cut.

[RudiV]

Very nice colors! Like it very much. Hard to believe it is hand cut.

Thanks!

The secret is to make MANY cuts and select the best. Using the double blade technique I find it best not to cut at the end of the specimen but at least 2mm further in, gives better stability and more consistent results.

Thanks for looking,
Rudi

[exmarine]

Excellent my man. Good strong colours.

[JimT]

Very nice indeed. Glad the food dye is working out so well.

[kit1980]

Looks nice.
Is this "double blading technique" two blades with a piece double-sided sticky tape between them? Any other tips or tricks?

[gekko]

Beautiful [if rather small ] images. Nice work.

[RudiV]

Thanks everyone!

[RudiV]

Looks nice.
Is this "double blading technique" two blades with a piece double-sided sticky tape between them? Any other tips or tricks?

It is a slight variation, I use half a blade between the 2 cutting blades, it gives me thinner sections than the tape option.

I have no real tricks other than to cut wet or preferably under water, I also do not cut right at the end of the specimen but rather a few mm's in from the end as this gives better stability and more consistent cuts. I normally cut 10 to 20 cuts and then select the best, but I have found with practice the "hit rate" is getting better.

Thanks for looking,
Rudi