
LEGO SET 10368 - Alternate build| Chrysanthemum
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Unlocking Creative Potential with LEGO Set 10368-1 Chrysanthemum
Officially released as part of the 2024 Botanicals series, the Chrysanthemum set captures the graceful curves and vibrant color palette of its namesake flower. Yet, one of this set’s greatest strengths is its entirely brick-based structure—no electronics, no specialized pieces, just standard LEGO elements. That makes it a dream platform for builders who love to experiment.
In this post, we’ll:
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Describe what makes the Chrysanthemum set unique.
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Explain why creating alternative builds can deepen your design skills.
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Highlight two standout MOCs—Chrysanthemum Mech and Micro Botanicals—each using mostly (or exclusively) the original set’s parts.
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Provide at the end the image, name, designer, and direct link for each MOC, so you can quickly explore and download the instructions.
Whether you’re a botanical aficionado, a mecha fan, or simply someone who loves micro-scale detail, there’s something here to spark your imagination.
What Is LEGO Set 10368-1 Chrysanthemum and Why It Inspires Alternatives
Overview of the Official Model.
The Chrysanthemum set builds a spectacular 22 cm-tall flower with interlocking petals that bloom outward in a spiral. Using a variety of tan, reddish-brown, and soft orange pieces, it captures floral depth without relying on sticker decorations. Because it’s purely structural, the full design invites remixing—there are no hinged leaves or Technic elements that restrict reconfiguration.
Why Build Alternatives?
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Expand Creativity. Building an alternative model forces you to rethink how each plate, tile, and bracket can serve a new purpose—perhaps as armor plates, mechanical joints, or even micro foliage.
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Maximize Parts Value. If you already own 10368 Chrysanthemum for display, experimenting with an alt build lets you get extra mileage out of those bits.
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Skill Development. Tackling an entirely different aesthetic (e.g., a robot instead of a flower) hones your ability to translate curved surfaces, hinge tolerances, and color contrasts into functional designs.
Building Tips & Design Considerations
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Inventory First. Before diving into an alt build, sort out the petal pieces—especially the curved 2×3 and 1×2 slopes—in the color palette. Knowing exactly how many of each shape you have will guide your design.
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Color Constraints. Chrysanthemum’s six-petal-per-layer structure yields a lot of identical pieces. Try grouping them by hue (dark reddish-brown vs. bright orange) to achieve subtle shading.
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Repurpose Curves. Any “petal” that’s a 1×2 curved slope or inverted bracket can double as armor trim on mechanical builds. In micro florals, they become the entire bloom. Think in terms of form—curves can represent petals, wings, tires, or hoses.
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Structural Stability. Since you’re reusing parts designed to splay outward in a flower, be mindful that some connections (e.g., hinge plates holding petals) were never intended to bear heavy loads. Reinforce joints with plates or connectors borrowed from other sets if necessary.
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Mix in Extras Sparingly. Most alt builders will add a handful of neutral connectors (clips, bars, pins) to enable movement or structural reinforcement. If you’re entering a “pure parts” challenge, try to limit additions to accessories that won’t detract from the set’s original color story.
Chrysanthemum Mech
By eric_nunya
Get the instructions: Chrysanthemum Mech on Rebrickable
Below are several more alternative‐build concepts using only (or mostly) the parts from Set 10368-1 Chrysanthemum. Each idea focuses on a different theme or technique.
1. Autumnal Fox Sculpture
Concept & Appeal:
Transform the warm tan, reddish-brown, and soft orange elements into a stylized fox—complete with a curled tail and pointed face. By leaning into the Chrysanthemum’s existing color palette, this build becomes an animal figure that still feels rooted in “botanical” tones.
2. Micro‐Scale Bonsai Tree Trio
Concept & Appeal:
While we already saw “Micro Botanicals,” you can instead focus on a tiny bonsai arrangement: three separate micro trees on a tiled “tray,” each with unique foliage patterns. This emphasizes negative space and asymmetry, just like a real bonsai display.
3. Floral‐Inspired Wall Mosaic (“Pixel Petals”)
Concept & Appeal:
Rather than building a 3D sculpture, break the set into flat layers and create a 16×16-stud wall mosaic that spells out a simple word (e.g., “LOVE” or “Grow”) or forms a stylized, pixelated flower pattern. This works like a “LEGO pixel art” using square tiles and small plates.
4. Steampunk Lantern & Stand
Concept & Appeal:
Use the Chrysanthemum petals and stems to build a Victorian‐style lanter n: a hexagonal frame with curved petals serving as decorative “grillwork,” and a simple stand or post. The warm tones fit a “brass and copper” look.