worldwide trend, this gardening technique sweeps the different countries as a way to relate even more with nature, even from home. We invite you to meet what is a kokedama and how to make it in the next article.
Currently they have become fashionable in many corners of the planet, so it is logical that many wonder how to make a kokedama but, although the boom emerged in recent years and even months, it is one of the oldest extant Japanese gardening traditions.
If the name doesn’t resonate with you, don’t worry, you’ve probably seen a kokedama plant in a decoration store, in a nursery, in a friend’s house or even, maybe until you have one in your home.
As we mentioned before, they have come to stay not only as a decorative element, but as a way of relate to the planet and feel more connected to it. With the simple fact of have a kokedama, this plant will give a special energy and particular to the environment and will help you have good energy, even if you have to spend a lot of time in the same space.
Its boom at this time has a reason for being. People have increased their interest in bonding with nature, in making time for oneself, in enjoying those small spaces that comfort. Even since 2020, with the arrival of the pandemic, there was a greater awareness of environmental care and contact with nature.
But, beyond this, in this article we tell you exactly what is a kokedama and how to make them at home.
Kokedama: meaning
before talking about how to make kokedama pendantit is important to know a little about its history and meaning.
As explained above, kokedama is a Japanese technique that aims to create ornamental plants. If we talk about its etymology, “Koke” means moss and “lady” ballso to put it simply it is a ball of moss, or rather a decorative plant grown inside a moss.
With the technique of kokedama, ornamental plants of different sizes are possible to achieve: medium and small, with flower or without flower, both for exterior and interior, and above all super original things.
Its origin goes back to the ancient history of Japan: while the rich mastered the art of bonsai, the humbler people I admired the beauty of these plants but did not have access to the materials or techniques. For this reason, as a variation of this type of species, they began to cut the mosses to cover the earth where the roots of the plants were and tied them with rope. This gave rise to what are now known as plants. kokedama.
However, despite being something natural, it is currently necessary be expressly careful with moss, which is a fundamental species in ecosystems in many countries. Therefore, it will depend on the place where you are to be especially careful not to buy moss that has been extracted from its native space, causing damage to the biodiversity of the place.
How to make a kokedama?
yes of how to make kokedama plant It is, it is necessary to say that it is a fairly simple procedure to achieve and of course it has many benefits for the place.
For example, if a small plant is made, it occupies very little space in the home, and even as it can be a kokedama pendant the space it requires is even less. In addition, the irrigation system is special since everything is contained in the moss, making it ideal for apartment interiors.
Likewise, when doing them you will not only find entertainment but it will also be a moment of contact with the earth, with nature, which will help you to be relaxed and lower stress levels.
Finally, it is quite cheap if it is done personally and it is also not necessary to have pots to make them. Now yes, enough of detours, let’s see how they are done step by step.
Materials
Although most plants adapt, it may be advisable not to take cacti and succulents into account, since as they are plants that require little hydration, they are likely to rot or drown quickly, since in the kokedama the water is contained in the moss Recommended plants include azalea, palo de agua, cordyline, philodendron, and peperomia.
- Earth, clay and fine river sand
The proportion more or less is 70% soil (if it is peat, so much the better); 25% clay (which hardens and contains moisture) and 5% sand.
As mentioned, to avoid damage to biodiversity, the moss can be replaced by coconut fiber, which has similar characteristics in terms of water absorption but is much more sustainable.
If it is made of cotton and brown so that it does not show, it will be much better.
Step by Step
1- In case of using moss, it will be necessary to moisten it (that there is no excess water) and go mixing with clay and sand. Once this is done, spread the moss without leaving spaces in a circle and place the plant in the center.
In case of choosing the coconut fiber, you simply have to mix the earth with the clay and sand, until you form a kind of mud ball. Then a hole must be made in the center to insert the plant
2- In case of having done with moss, it will be necessary to remove the plant of the pot where it is, with the soil included, and place it in the center. Surround the earth with the moss forming a kind of ball. If the mud ball was chosen, it will be the same procedure.
3- Surround the ball of clay with coconut fiber to make it firm. If you have used moss, it should be sewn with the chosen thread in the middle, giving it several turns so that everything is well attached.
4- And this step is the best. Once you have completed all the steps you can hang the kokedama wherever you like.
Kokedama: care
Now that you know how to make a kokedama, it will be necessary to mention some basic care that must be taken into account so that the plant lives in a better way. With good care, it will require maintenance only after a few months and even a year, in order to incorporate new nutrients and, if necessary, renew the moss.
– In principle, if it is necessary to move it, it is important to support it from the ball and never from the plant, in order to avoid uprooting the roots from the base.
– If the plant is dry, it will be better to spray the leaves with water and not provide more hydration to the roots. In general, these types of plants suffer from excess water as it is deposited in the ball of earth.
– On the contrary, when the moss is the one that feels dry, then it will only be convenient to submerge the ball for a few minutes in water until it stops making bubbles and remove it. Drop the surplus.
– Do not expose to direct sunlight and turn the plant so that the leaves do not go only in one direction in search of light.
– In case dry leaves appear, it is convenient to cut them so that those that are healthy live in a better way.
– If the webs of thread break, it is necessary to sew the ball of moss again.
– Use sporadically fertilizers and nutrients in the water.
– Control the appearance of bugs or fungi in the kokedamas since, due to the way they are planted, it is quite common.
– Take special care with pets since they are lovers of it because they find similarities with a toy.
Now that you know what kokedama is and how to make it from your home in a simple and sustainable way. Do you dare to make one?
Sources: The Nation, Green Ecology