Kokedama 🇯🇵🌿🟢
Japanese Moss Balls
I received the above two kokedama for Christmas presents from two different people and I loved them so much I decided to try to make one myself.
But first, what is kokedama?
According to GardenBeast.com:
“Kokedama is a centuries-old Japanese form of garden art that is closely tied to the practice of bonsai. This Japanese term can be translated like this: “Koke” means moss, and “dama” means ball. Kokedama involves using a moss ball as the supporting and the focal point for a tree, shrub, or plant. In other words, it consists of wrapping the plant’s roots in a ball of soil which you then cover with moss. The moss ball is either fixed to a platform, like a dish or a bowl, or suspended in the air with a string.”
To start, I needed to collect potting soil, twine, a plant, and moss, and then add just enough water to the dirt to form a ball that would stick together.
Next, I broke the ball of dirt in half, put the plant inside, and then started covering the ball in moss. A third hand would definitely have been helpful! Once I had most of the moss on the ball, I started to wrap it with twine.
Once the ball was wrapped, it was mostly done. The final step was to soak it in water.
Kokedama can sit on a saucer, in a bowl, on a stand, or even be attached to string and hung. When the balls dry out, they simply need to be soaked in a bowl of water again for 30 minutes or so, and they will keep doing great.
Although this was a messy activity and probably better to be done outside, I will definitely try to make these again. I am hoping I can get some supplies at the upcoming Philadelphia Flower Show in March. If you are planning on going too, let me know!
Garden Beast on Kokedama
Kokedama ideas on Pinterest
Kokedama kits on Etsy
Lei Making - using plants to create something even more beautiful
Kitsugi - another Japanese art form
Search Kokedama kit on Google and you will find many suppliers of kits that will include everything you need to create your own.