DIY Kokedama 🌱 | 来做苔玉吧~

The theme this week for @qurator's Monday Missions is Lockdown Skills. I'm joining with my entry: DIY Kokedama.

Kokedama moss balls originated in Japan, and I saw them not only there but also in some gardens and botanical shops in other countries. A tiny plant grows out of a soil ball covered with moss, how cute and pleasant is that! It's a creative way to bring a dose of nature indoors, so making a Kokedama is a good skill to have during the lockdown, right? Now let me show you how with photos and details.

I usually look for fresh mosses on nature walks, which happens even more during the lockdown, and I'm not complaining at all :D. There are mosses everywhere in the woods. I just place a few pieces into a plastic bag to bring them home. You can also buy preserved sheet moss which tends to be thicker and greener.

今天分享的是自己在家做苔玉的过程，下面是详细步骤。是不是很简单？有空也试一试吧~

- DIY BREAKDOWN -

First, let's get some bonsai soil mixture and a little plant ready. Guess what plant I have here? It's from a lychee seed! =) You will also need water for the soil and moss.

Next, form the damp soil into a ball and squeeze out the extra water. Divide the ball into 2 halves by twisting or cutting it. Place the plant between the 2 halves and reform the ball.

Then soak the moss to expand it, and envelope the ball in the moss carpet. Trim it if necessary.

Wrap a thread or string around the ball to secure the moss.

Put it on a saucer, and voila, there you have it - the Kokedama moss ball! Quite simple, isn't it?

Another one is made in the same way:

You can also put the ball in a bowl, a cube box, a shallow glass vessel, or hang it with a string or twine... Be creative, the possibilities are endless!

Place the Kokedama out of direct sunlight and mist regularly to keep them moist. Adding fertilizer to water and soaking the moss ball into it every few months will keep it last longer.