While trawling through through hundreds of Pinterest pictures a few weeks ago (something I like to do while I am having a horizontal moment on the couch) I found the most amazing pictures of hanging gardens or as they are more formally known 'Kokedama'. This of course immediately tweaked my creative interest and I HAD to try making one....or four!
There are a few websites that run through the process of making them and even YouTube videos. But here is how I made mine.
What you need
1 bag of Bonsai mix
1 bag of Peat moss
1 brick of sphagnum moss
1 bag of Richgro Sand to Soil (with bentonite clay) - not shown
string
baby plants - try maidenhair fern, succulents
green moss (available from florist supplies)
Firstly, mix 1/3 of each the bonsai mix, peat moss and clay into a container with a little water. Keep mixing until it comes together to form a ball. This ball should hold its shape if you toss it in the air.
Then you need to gently knock the soil off the roots of your plant. The more you can remove, the better. Then wrap the roots with a small amount of wet sphagnum moss.
Split the soil ball in half and put your root ball inside. Then work the soil firmly around the roots to seal the ball completely.
Then you can start placing large sheets of the green moss around the ball. I quite enjoyed how this felt. I think that the texture reminded me of playing with moss in the bush when I was a child.
Press each sheet on firmly and tear off smaller bits to fill any gaps.
Then start wrapping the ball firmly with the string, winding in many directions to secure all of the green moss. When you are happy with the finished look, and that the moss is secure, tie it off. This one was hanging by the string, but I've started cutting the string off and looping some fishing line through to hang it. For something different, try wrapping your ball in a brightly coloured string.
Sphagnum moss can be used to cover your ball if you are having trouble with the green moss.
Maintenance ... I've found the best way to water the plants is to dip the ball in a bucket of water for a few seconds. Also spray the leaves with a water bottle occasionally.
Ive hung 3 of these in a protected spot near my front door. My visitors see them when they arrive and they are right outside my office window..... Little bit of green in my concrete jungle.