DIY Garden: Hanging Kokedama Plant
Are you guys familiar with the awesome Japanese gardening
technique known as kokedama? These hanging string gardens
have been catching my eye more and more lately, so I knew it
was time to make my own.
I met up with Tim Mountz, Nursery Manager – A.K. Horticultural Ninja –
at Terrain, to find out how it’s done. Turns out it’s super easy to make these
guys – and so much fun! I have a feeling it may be raining kokedama
gardens in my apartment by the end of the week.
What you need:
Plant of your choiceWe used a succulent because they require very
little maintenance – and they look gorgeous! I love the little yellow flowers on this one.
little maintenance – and they look gorgeous! I love the little yellow flowers on this one.
Sheet mossSheet moss comes in lots of different
shapes and sizes. Just make sure you have enough to
completely cover the soil beneath your plant. Soak the moss in water and drain before using.
shapes and sizes. Just make sure you have enough to
completely cover the soil beneath your plant. Soak the moss in water and drain before using.
StringWe used white string, but you could use any kind as long
as it’s strong enough to hold up the entire plant. I would love
this with a brown twine for an earthy feel, or a bright yellow to match the flowers!
as it’s strong enough to hold up the entire plant. I would love
this with a brown twine for an earthy feel, or a bright yellow to match the flowers!
What you do:
Step 1: Remove your plant from its container (or from your garden)
leaving enough soil to completely cover its roots. Use your thumbs to
pat down the soil, forming a sphere. Add more soil if you wish – this will
create a better growing area for the roots.
Step 2: Place your ball of soil directly in the center of the sheet moss,
with moss-side facing down. Wrap the base of your plant completely,
pressing thumbs down gently to make sure it stays together.
Step 3: Grab the end of your string and wrap away! You can wrap your string
in any pattern or design you like – or with none in mind at all! It’s cool to see
the different string patterns that emerge when you’re not even trying. Just
be sure that the moss is adequately covered – the string is what helps keep
the ball shape, and it will support the plant once it’s hanging.
Step 4: When you’re finished wrapping the string around your moss,
tie a strong knot. You may want to double or triple knot it, just to be sure
it holds.
Step 5: Hang and enjoy! You can truly have a kokedama hanging
garden anywhere you like, as long as it’s in an ideal living environment
for the plant you choose. This plant will make a huge statement on its own,
and an even bigger one in a cluster with others! You can experiment with
different string lengths, sphere sizes, and types of plant to create the
kokedama garden of your dreams.
Watering your plant:
Step 1: dunk the base (moss end) into a bucket of water and watch for
bubbles. When you no longer see bubbles, your plant is fully watered.
Step 2: Remove the base from the bucket and give it a little squeeze
to remove excess water. If your plant hangs indoors, you may want to
hang in outside in the sun or over a sink directly after watering, until your
plant has completely finished draining.
to remove excess water. If your plant hangs indoors, you may want to
hang in outside in the sun or over a sink directly after watering, until your
plant has completely finished draining.
Some plants will stay hydrated for up to a week – it all depends on the type
and size of the plant. When your plant is ready to be watered, it will feel very
light in weight, so always check its weight before watering!
and size of the plant. When your plant is ready to be watered, it will feel very
light in weight, so always check its weight before watering!
Taken from the Free People blog! I thought it was so cool and just had to
share! :)
share! :)
