A new trend in floriculture or do-it-yourself kokedama

What it is

Kokedama is one of the branches of bonsai art. It originated in Japan just 20 years ago, but has already become popular around the world. Translated, this Japanese word means "a ball of moss" or "moss bumps".

If only a true master can create a bonsai, then even an amateur will succumb to kokedama. For this reason, this moss ball is called a bonsai for the poor, but it would be more accurate to say a bonsai for the impatient.

Do-it-yourself kokedama is made very quickly with minimal cost. You do not need any container, you just need to form a lump of soil mixture and wrap it in moss. Kokedama from graceful orchids looks very beautiful. It will decorate the interior of any room.

There are no strict rules to follow to make a kokedama. Each person can create his own exclusive "moss bump" and decorate with those plants that he likes best. The main thing is to adhere to the proportions, which we will discuss below. Although more experienced growers can create their own branded soil mixture as an experiment.

Very often, the result of the work is its own secrets of manufacturing. Of course, the proportions must be observed, otherwise the kokedama will fail. The height of the flower should not exceed the height of the moss ball by more than 1.5 times. The pallet must also correspond to the diameter of the kokedama and not exceed a quarter of the height of the globe.

Any flower can be planted - be it a picky fern or a demanding orchid. It is best to choose a young rosette so that the plant acclimatizes faster. Looks gorgeous kokedama with davallia, which over time braids the ball. The plant in this form can be placed in a beautiful vessel or suspended. In the second case, you can show your imagination, and you get a whole suspended theater of flowers.

Choose a plant that is strong and healthy, with active and young rhizomes. If the roots are too long, cut half of them so as not to harm the flower. In short, making a kokedama should not be difficult. At first, you may spend more time, but the result is worth it. Next, we will talk in detail about the principles of manufacturing.

Video "Master class on creating kokedama"

Video about the art of kokedama, how to make kokedama with your own hands.

How to do it yourself

What is needed

To make kokedama with our own hands, we need Japanese black peat. It is not sold on the market, and it is not cheap, so let's try to replace it with a soil mixture prepared by our own hands.

Let's take horse peat, which is always available for sale in specialized retail outlets, and black cosmetic clay, which we can easily buy at a pharmacy kiosk. We take both components in equal parts.

The next thing we need is a granular soil for bonsai - akadama. Of course, in order to save money, you can take garden land, but it is better to Akadama.

The next component is sphagnum moss, which we buy without any problems at any flower shop, but can also be collected in the forest. Perhaps the latter option will be more reliable.

The top of the kokedama is covered with green moss.To make the finished masterpiece look organic, you need to tear the same moss.

As for plants, then here you can give the opportunity to flight of imagination: what you want, and how much you want (if only they fit in). The best option is ferns and plants that love moisture and shade.

You should also stock up on cotton threads (of any color), fishing line, scissors. Also prepare containers: for kneading the soil, soaking sphagnum and akadama. Use surgical gloves to keep your handles clean.

Manufacturing instruction

Before we start making, let's prepare the moss and akadama. The moss collected, for example, in a public garden, is thoroughly washed with distilled water, placed in a tray, and covered with foil on top. We immerse the Akadama in settled water for 24 hours. Before starting work, drain and dry the water for two hours.

So, we begin a master class on making kokedama.

Soak sphagnum. Meanwhile, mix peat, clay and akadama in a ratio of 2: 2: 3. Adding liquid, knead to make the mass elastic. We clean the roots of the plants that we will use from the old soil mixture and wrap it with sphagnum.

We begin to stick the soil around the roots until we achieve a spherical shape. We sculpt with our hands, press to release the air gap and seal the earth ball. Select a hard surface and place a ball on it. Press it down slightly to give it a stable position.

We stick around the ball with soaked sphagnum and use a thread to attach it to the surface. Don't be greedy, overcast and thread. Do more turns - so the lump will be denser.

Put green moss on top of the finished ball and wrap it with fishing line. We finish the process with the last turn, with which we fix the fishing line with knots at the bottom of the ball. Don't be discouraged to see her. In just a few days, the moss will grow and cover the fixation from the fishing line. Immerse the finished kokedama in water for 20 minutes. Then we put it on a deep pallet so that the moss is always moist. This is now her permanent residence.

How to care for such a handmade masterpiece? It is also necessary to water it by immersion in liquid for 20 minutes. Moss is often sprayed to keep it fresh and vibrant. If necessary, you can even replace it with a new one. If the ball has become light, this is a signal that you need to water it. Do a haircut once every two weeks so it grows even thicker. Once every 14 days, apply a special top dressing through spraying. Fertilizer for orchids works well.