Butea Monosperma or Tesu Phool

Tesu phool (bastard teak flower) is one of the more popular of the Indian dyes. It offers a versatile range of colors.

Here is what the dried flower looks like:

As always, let's start with the cold baths.


Tesu on alum, in a cold bath: 1. Al 5%; 2. Al 5% + CoT 5%; 3. Al 10%; 4. Al 10% + CoT 10%; 5. Al 25%; 6. Al 25% + CoT 25%; 7. Al 50%; 8. Al 50% + CoT 15%; 9. Al 15% + CoT 5%. 

Tesu on copper, in a cold bath: 1. Cu 1%; 2. Cu 1%  + 2% Citric Acid; 3. Cu 2%; 4. Cu 2%  + 4% Citric Acid; 5. Cu 4%; 6. Cu 4%  + 8% Citric Acid; 7. Cu 8%; 8. Cu 8%  + 10% Citric Acid.

Tesu on iron, in a cold bath: 1. 1% Fe; 2. 1% Fe + 2% CoT + 1% Glauber’ Salt; 3. 2% Fe; 4. 2% Fe + 4% CoT + 2% Glauber’ Salt; 5. 4% Fe; 6. 4% Fe + 6% CoT + 4% Glauber’ Salt.

Tesu on tin, in a cold bath: 1. 2% Sn; 2. 2% Sn + 2% CoT; 3. 2% Sn + 2% Oxalic Acid; 4. 4% Sn + 4% CoT; 5. 4% Sn; 6. 8% Sn; 7. 4% Sn + 4% Oxalic Acid; 8. 8% Sn + 8% CoT; 9. 8% Sn + 8% Oxalic Acid.

Tesu on merino, in a cold bath: 1. Cu 4%  + 8% Citric Acid; 2. Al 15% + CoT 5%; 3. 2% Fe + 4% CoT + 2% Glauber’ Salt; 4. 4% Sn + 4% Oxalic Acid.

Tesu on angora/merino blend, in a cold bath: 1. Al 15% + CoT 5%; 2. Cu 4%  + 8% Citric Acid; 3. 4% Sn + 4% Oxalic Acid; 4. 2% Fe + 4% CoT + 2% Glauber’ Salt

And here are the hot baths.


Tesu on alum, in a hot bath: 1. Al 5%; 2. Al 5% + CoT 5%; 3. Al 10%; 4. Al 10% + CoT 10%; 5. Al 25%; 6. Al 25% + CoT 25%; 7. Al 50%; 8. Al 50% + CoT 15%; 9. Al 15% + CoT 5%. 

Tesu on copper, in a hot bath:  1. Cu 1%  + 2% Citric Acid; 2. Cu 2%; 3. Cu 2%  + 4% Citric Acid; 4. Cu 4%; 5. Cu 4%  + 8% Citric Acid; 6. Cu 8%; 7. Cu 8%  + 10% Citric Acid.

Tesu on iron, in a hot bath: 1. 1% Fe; 2. 1% Fe + 2% CoT + 1% Glauber’ Salt; 3. 2% Fe; 4. 2% Fe + 4% CoT + 2% Glauber’ Salt; 5. 4% Fe; 6. 4% Fe + 6% CoT + 4% Glauber’ Salt.

Tesu on tin, in a hot bath: 1. 2% Sn; 2. 2% Sn + 2% CoT; 3. 2% Sn + 2% Oxalic Acid; 4. 4% Sn + 4% CoT; 5. 4% Sn; 6. 8% Sn; 7. 4% Sn + 4% Oxalic Acid; 8. 8% Sn + 8% CoT; 9. 8% Sn + 8% Oxalic Acid.

Tesu on merino, in a hot bath: 1. Cu 4%  + 8% Citric Acid; 2. Al 15% + CoT 5%; 3. 4% Sn + 4% Oxalic Acid; 4. 2% Fe + 4% CoT + 2% Glauber’ Salt.

Tesu on angora/merino blend, in a hot bath: 1. 2% Fe + 4% CoT + 2% Glauber’ Salt; 2. 4% Sn + 4% Oxalic Acid; 3. Al 15% + CoT 5%; 4. Cu 4%  + 8% Citric Acid.