How to care for kokedama? Moss bonsai care methods and precautions
Kokedama bonsai
An ancient Japanese art that evolved from bonsai, it began in Japan's Edo era and is one of the Japanese bonsai styles. Kokedama uses moss as a container or base material to hold the plant's roots in place, and it can either be hung in the air or placed on a table as decoration. To make a kokedama, you only need to prepare a sheet of moss, a small tropical plant, mixed soil and fine hemp twine.
You need to prepare: a small tropical plant, peat, akadama soil, moss, fine hemp twine or fishing line
Tips:
1. Peat is formed under acidic conditions from decomposing plant remains in an oxygen-poor environment.
2. Akadama soil comes from clay in a place in Japan of the same name; it is soil mined after the upper organic layer has been removed. The porous nature of akadama soil allows it to absorb large amounts of water and nutrients to supply the plant's roots, and Japanese bonsai masters and enthusiasts are very fond of using this potting soil.
① Washing the roots
Choose a small tropical plant and wash the soil off its roots.
② Wrapping in soil
Mix seven parts peat and three parts bonsai soil (akadama soil), use this mixed soil to wrap the plant's roots and squeeze it into a ball shape with your hands.
③ Wrapping in moss
Wrap a sheet of moss around the soil ball and tie it firmly with fine hemp twine or fishing line.
Kokedama care tips:
1. The environment suitable for moss growth is very similar to the environment suitable for human habitation: maintain a certain humidity, ventilation and breathability, and moderate light.
2. Moss plants are not suitable for growing in dark places; they need a certain amount of diffused light or a semi-shaded environment. During care, a certain amount of light should be provided, preferably weaker diffused light rather than direct strong sunlight.
3. Spray water multiple times a day; do not water too much at once, just keep the moss surface moist. The optimal growth temperature for kokedama is around 25°C, and in winter it should be placed indoors.
4. Moss is very different from other plants. First, its roots basically only serve to cling to and hold the plant in place, and it mainly relies on its leaves to absorb water and trace nutrients from the air. Second, when the air humidity is insufficient, it automatically enters a dormant state. At this point its color turns grayish green, but this does not mean the moss is "dead." In fact, moss that has entered dormancy is very robust, tolerates cold and heat, and can endure for several months; once it comes into contact with water, it turns fresh and green again.
Moss bonsai kokedama care methods and precautions
Kokedama bonsai
China Landscape Web news, June 7: An ancient Japanese art that evolved from bonsai, it began in Japan's Edo era and is one of the Japanese bonsai styles. Kokedama uses moss as a container or base material to hold the plant's roots in place, and it can either be hung in the air or placed on a table as decoration. To make a kokedama, you only need to prepare a sheet of moss, a small tropical plant, mixed soil and fine hemp twine.
You need to prepare: a small tropical plant, peat, akadama soil, moss, fine hemp twine or fishing line
Tips:
1. Peat is formed under acidic conditions from decomposing plant remains in an oxygen-poor environment.
2. Akadama soil comes from clay in a place in Japan of the same name; it is soil mined after the upper organic layer has been removed. The porous nature of akadama soil allows it to absorb large amounts of water and nutrients to supply the plant's roots, and Japanese bonsai masters and enthusiasts are very fond of using this potting soil.
① Washing the roots
Choose a small tropical plant and wash the soil off its roots.
② Wrapping in soil
Mix seven parts peat and three parts bonsai soil (akadama soil), use this mixed soil to wrap the plant's roots and squeeze it into a ball shape with your hands.
③ Wrapping in moss
Wrap a sheet of moss around the soil ball and tie it firmly with fine hemp twine or fishing line.
Kokedama care tips:
1. The environment suitable for moss growth is very similar to the environment suitable for human habitation: maintain a certain humidity, ventilation and breathability, and moderate light.
2. Moss plants are not suitable for growing in dark places; they need a certain amount of diffused light or a semi-shaded environment. During care, a certain amount of light should be provided, preferably weaker diffused light rather than direct strong sunlight.
3. Spray water multiple times a day; do not water too much at once, just keep the moss surface moist. The optimal growth temperature for kokedama is around 25°C, and in winter it should be placed indoors.
4. Moss is very different from other plants. First, its roots basically only serve to cling to and hold the plant in place, and it mainly relies on its leaves to absorb water and trace nutrients from the air. Second, when the air humidity is insufficient, it automatically enters a dormant state. At this point its color turns grayish green, but this does not mean the moss is "dead." In fact, moss that has entered dormancy is very robust, tolerates cold and heat, and can endure for several months; once it comes into contact with water, it turns fresh and green again.
How to care for a moss bonsai? Moss bonsai care
[Common questions] How to care for a moss bonsai? Moss bonsai care
Image: moss bonsai
[Expert answer]
● Watering
Moss likes humid environments, but it must never be soaked in water; spraying water 2-3 times a day is enough. When growing it enclosed, there will be mist inside the bottle, so you do not need to spray water; wait until it dries out before spraying again. Try to avoid spraying moss directly with tap water; boiled water or mineral water is best. This is because chlorine gas can affect the plant's growing environment. Lots of mist means the humidity is sufficient and no watering is needed; keeping the inside of the bottle slightly moist is ideal.
● Sunlight
What moss needs is mild sunlight. Without sunlight for a long time, moss will be unable to grow, while overly strong sunlight will deal a fatal blow to moss within a short time. Place it somewhere with diffused light; indoor lighting is sufficient, but it must not be exposed to direct sunlight. Whenever ventilation is possible, open it up for ventilation as much as possible.
● Temperature
The temperature for moss should be kept at a more suitable 10°C to 30°C. In summer, it can be placed in a cool spot to avoid high temperatures, the lid can be opened more often for ventilation, and direct strong sunlight should be avoided. In winter, it can be placed in a spot with ample light to maintain good growth.
● Breathability
Open the lid appropriately for ventilation, preferably for one to two hours; if conditions permit, it is recommended to open the lid once a day. This can effectively prevent mold and rot caused by moss and the plants in the bottle being overly stuffy and damp.
● Humidity
Moss needs an environment with higher air humidity rather than large amounts of watering, and it likes a cool, diffused-light environment rather than a place with no light at all. Moderate opening of the lid for ventilation helps prevent the high-temperature, high-humidity environment inside the bottle that moss dislikes. In summer, when it is hot and stuffy, increase the time the lid is open; in winter, when temperatures are lower, appropriately reduce the time the lid is open.
● Care notes:
1. The environment suitable for moss growth is very similar to the environment suitable for human habitation: maintain a certain humidity, ventilation and breathability, and moderate light.
2. Moss plants are not suitable for growing in dark places; they need a certain amount of diffused light or a semi-shaded environment. During care, a certain amount of light should be provided, preferably weaker diffused light rather than direct strong sunlight.
3. Spray water multiple times a day; do not water too much at once, just keep the moss surface moist. The optimal growth temperature is around 25°C, and in winter it should be placed indoors.
4. Moss is very different from other plants. First, its roots basically only serve to cling to and hold the plant in place, and it mainly relies on its leaves to absorb water and trace nutrients from the air. Second, when the air humidity is insufficient, it automatically enters a dormant state. At this point its color turns grayish green, but this does not mean the moss is “dead.” In fact, moss that has entered dormancy is very robust, tolerates cold and heat, and can endure for several months; once it comes into contact with water, it turns fresh and green again.
[Editor's summary]
Moss bonsai is a popular small potted plant. Besides being available for direct purchase online, you can also collect moss yourself and make one. Moss bonsai is loosely managed, simple and easy to keep alive, and has high ornamental value, making it the first choice of office potted plant for many young white-collar workers. The First Agricultural Economics editor has given you a detailed introduction to moss bonsai care methods in this article, and hopes it will be helpful to you.