How To Make A Kokedama - DIY Gardening

Are you familiar with the kokedama plant? They are currently fashionable basically everywhere in the world, although they are one of the oldest Japanese gardening and nature-connection traditions. Actually, "Kokedama" is the term given to a Japanese technique for making attractive plants out of a ball of moss, and it is also the meaning of the word: "Koke" means "moss" and "Lady" means "ball." We may have attractive plants of little or medium size, both indoors and outdoors, in a very creative way with this oriental gardening approach, and that during its creation, and then having it around, enables us to connect more with nature and create a more peaceful environment.

You may choose from a variety of alternatives, including miniature plants with or without flowers, succulents or succulents, small shrubs or bonsai, and more.

What you will need

• Sheet or live moss 
• Plant of choice
• Houseplant soil
• Twine string
• Scissors

Step 1

 

Take the plant out of the pot and carefully pull any loose dirt or wound roots away. The plant we selected for this post is a 4" Pothos called 'Pearls and Jade.' It's not necessary to remove all of the dirt or leave the roots fully exposed; just enough to allow them to form a ball more simply.

Step 2

Lay out the approximate size of sheet moss (this is a bit of guesswork, so use more than you think you'll need because it's quicker to remove moss than it is to add) and confirm the size by gently placing the plant in the moss and faux wrapping it. If required, peel away the extra sheet moss to adjust the size. Spray your sheet moss with water if it's crumbly and dried. This will make it more wet and pliable.

Step 3

Fill the moss with 1-2 cups of soil and place it on the work area (inside/brown side up). This quantity is determined by the size of your root ball. Essentially, you want to make sure your plant has enough growth media to avoid drying out.

Step 4

Place the root ball of your plant in the soil, with the leaves falling over one edge. Add additional 1-2 cups of soil to the top of the root ball. If your soil is dry and crumbly and difficult to manage, you may wish to lightly hydrate it with the spray bottle. This dampness will aid in somewhat gluing things together.

Step 5

Wrap the sheet moss over the root ball and soil carefully, bringing it up and over the root ball to the foliage's base. If you have tiny hands, you may wish to seek assistance. You should be able to lay the ball on its side, half wrapped, for a few minutes while you get your twine sorted after it's formed.

Step 6

Next, make a basic slip knot at the end of your twine with a loop wide enough to pass your entire spool of twine through - making a cinch. Place this cinch halfway around the moss ball horizontally and tighten it. At this point, the tighter the better since you don't want it to slip as you wind.

Step 7

With one hand holding the moss, begin wrapping the twine around the moss ball in a variety of directions. This is done to keep the moss firmly attached to the root ball while also creating a tight circular shape. Don't be alarmed by the twine; it's part of the Wabi-Sabi style on which these balls are based. Make sure you're pulling hard, but don't break your twine or you'll have to start all over again.

Step 8

Cut your twine with a working 5-6" tail if you're satisfied that your Kokedama is firmly wrapped in twine and has a spherical form. Tie several simple square knots around a sturdy and tight piece of twine. 

Step 9

After that, clip away any fuzzy moss pieces from around the plant's base. Use your fingers or scissors to cut the paper. This is to maintain a clean appearance and reduce the risk of rot from leaves resting in damp moss.

Step 10

This step is optional; you can choose to set your Kokedama in a saucer on a table instead of hanging it. Both scenarios are aesthetically spectacular and will work. If you want to hang your design, simply measure the height you want it to be and feed out twice as much twine. This is due to the fact that we hung ours from two places. To one side of the ball, tie a basic square knot, and then to the other side, about the same height. We placed the ball such that the Pothos would pour over one side rather than from the top. Play around with your creation to see what works best for you.

Now all you have to do is hang or arrange your Kokedama and enjoy it!

Kokedama Caring

• Avoid exposing it to direct sunlight, since the moss can become extremely dry, denying the plant of water or even causing it to burn.

• Never press the kokedama ball to drain the water; instead, let it to use it as needed and discharge any surplus water naturally.

• If you live in a dry region, you can sprinkle the plant's leaves with water or spray them while they are not in direct sunlight. The leaves will burn if you do it in direct sunlight.

• To water a kokedama, just wait until the ball is nearly dry or totally dry before using the well-known immersion irrigation technique, often known as "the tray irrigation technique." Fill a big container halfway with mineral water and place the ball in it, covering it with four fingers or half of it. Allow for 10-15 minutes of water absorption before removing it and allowing the surplus to drain. Water carefully so that the ball and the entire plant do not dry out, but also so that it does not puddle and drown; make sure it can drain effectively.

• Remember to spin the ball so that the light reaches all sections of the plant and that it does not twist excessively in order to access natural light, which would unbalance the ball.

• Aphids, fungus, mealybugs, and other pests should be controlled.

• If the leaves are huge or wide, clean them once a week to remove the dust that has gathered. Use a cotton rag or gauze that has been moistened.

• Trim the dry sections of the plant and the parts where all the flowers have fallen once the blooms have faded. Leave the portions of the body that are completely healthy alone.

• In the irrigation water, you can apply diluted fertilizers.

• Finally, if you have cats or other pets that could be attracted to play with or browse this decorative plant, keep it out of their reach. As a result, depending on the type of plant you choose, you will prevent difficulties in the plant as well as the possibility of your pets being intoxicated.