What is the meaning of kokedama?
moss ball
Kokedama (Japanese for “moss ball”) is a style of potting up plants in a ball of moss and displaying them in a dish or suspended in the air. The style comes from a centuries-old tradition of exhibiting the exposed root ball of a bonsai specimen on a plate to highlight its elegant root system.
Who invented kokedama?
Less codified than other practices, kokedama, which emerged in Japan in the 1990s, allows enthusiasts such as Arnaud Roy to let their plant-based creativity run free.
What is the art of kokedama?
Kokedama is the Japanese art of growing plants in a moss-covered ball of soil. It is wrapped with string and contains an ornamental plant growing inside. These beautiful and decorative plants bring an organic and natural touch to planting orchids, succulents, and other ornamental plants.
How do you make kokedama balls?
- Step 1: Make and Form Soil Balls. Mix peat moss and bonsai soil together in a 7:3 ratio.
- Step 2: Wrap Ferns with Moss. Soak the sphagnum moss in water until damp, then rinse.
- Step 3: Form Soil Ball Around Moss Ball. Break the soil ball in half.
How long does a kokedama last?
Generally, your kokedama should last between 1-2 years before needing a re-wrap, or re-pot. At this stage, the soil will need a freshen up anyway!
When was kokedama invented?
Kokedamas were born out of the Edo period (1603-1868). Kokedamas are derived from the old Nearai Bonsai method which is an art form centuries old in gardening.
How do you water kokedama?
Watering Procedure: Place your kokedama in the water, plant side up. Push the moss ball down so that it is fully submerged and begins to absorb water. Allow to soak for 10-25 minutes, or until fully saturated with water. Remove kokedama the water, and gently squeeze the moss ball to allow excess water to drain.
How old is the art of kokedama?
The Japanese have always had a deep-rooted appreciation for aesthetics. Kokedamas were born out of the Edo period (1603-1868). Kokedamas are derived from the old Nearai Bonsai method which is an art form centuries old in gardening.
How often do you water kokedama?
Watering frequency will vary based on where the ball is located, but max amount would be 1-2 times per week.
How often should you water kokedama?
If the ball feels heavy, no water is needed. If it feels light, soak the ball per the above instruction. Watering frequency will vary based on where the ball is located, but max amount would be 1-2 times per week.
What soil do you use for kokedama?
Prepare Your Soil – Mix 2 parts potting soil, 1 part peat moss, and 1 part bonsai soil (or clay), in a large bowl. Add enough water to where it begins to hold together but isn’t soupy. *The clay will help with binding, however, too much clay will dry it out.
What moss do you use for kokedama?
sphagnum moss
(Sphagnum is the best moss for kokedama because it can hold 20 times its weight in water). Use the soil mixture to form a ball around your plant’s roots. Wrap the root ball in a layer of sphagnum moss. Make sure it remains in a sheet to prevent the root ball from falling apart midair.
What is a kusamono plant?
Kusamono, by contrast, “is frequently larger, more complex and stands alone as an artform,” said Anthony Pancotti, who runs a mail-order nursery in Seattle named Kusamono Gardens. He ships kusamono plants, mostly orchids, in the spring.
What is the difference between kusamono and shitakusa?
Normally, the term kusamono is used when the planting is displayed as the center of attention, while the term shitakusa is used for plantings that accompany bonsai displays. In contrast to underplantings (which are potted in with the bonsai), kusamono and shitakusa are displayed separately in special pots, driftwood, or even stones.
Why aren’t there more kusamono virtuosos in the US?
One reason for this is that although bonsai is a popular and commercialized hobby, there are just a handful of kusamono virtuosos in the United States, none more accomplished than Young Choe, a Korean American horticulturist from Ellicott City.
How do you plant kusamono?
Besides the season, a Kusamono should suggest a specific natural habitat—such as a wetland, meadow or woodland. Whether using a single plant or a group of plants, there are three basic styles of planting: moss-ball, out-of-pot, or in a container.