Kokedamas are an art form with plants. It can be made in many different ways, not just the plants themselves, but the items that go into the kokedama balls. For that, What if we taught you how to make orchid kokedamas?
Whether you have to make a gift, or just want to have an orchid where there is no need to have a pot, this may be of interest to you. Want to know how it’s done? So keep reading.
Contents
What it takes to make a kokedama
The first thing to know to make a kokedama is to have all the elements that compose it. That’s to say, You will need both the plant, which in this case is an orchid, and other items.
Which is it? Specifically, the following:
- Substrate.
- Akadama.
- Mousse.
- Cotton rope.
- A plastic bag.
Let’s talk about them a little further.
Substrate
Most of the kokedamas that are made on the market have a universal substrate inside the moss ball (the one that forms the kokedama). Only when the plant needs another type of soil is it used. But generally what is done is to use this substrate mixed with the akadama.
What about orchids? In this case, it is one of those that would not have a universal substrate, but a mixture is made with the usual orchid soil and mixed with a little akadama to give it more ease. Clay, peat and coir are also used to cover it and have a base on which to fix the foam.
akadama
The akadama is an element that we have talked about several times. It is a well-known drainage, especially in the world of bonsai, because it allows the soil to be lighter and not clump together.
If you don’t have akadama, you can use perlitealthough we recommend looking for it or using a larger one to prevent the soil inside the moss ball from clumping too much and not allowing the roots to breathe.
In fact, since we’re focusing on the orchid case, you need to provide that so they don’t feel so constrained.
Mousse
The moss is what covers the whole ball that is made with the plant and the substrate. It also helps to maintain humidity since by covering it, you create an environment that protects the roots of the plant and at the same time nourishes them. This is why it is always recommended to spray the foam and even turn it over to keep it in good condition.
Now, in the case of the orchid, it can be a little more complex, starting with the fact that the soil does not clump together, even when water is added to it. But don’t worry, there is a trick.
cotton rope
Finally, the cotton rope is used to tie up the moss so that everything is well fixed and that it does not open or lose soil somewhere. This is usually imitated with foam And you need to take into account that you need to tie it tightly so that it does not come off.
How to make orchid kokedamas
Now that you have all the elements, we give you the steps to follow to make orchid kokedamas. Pay attention to these:
Prepare the items
In the case of the orchid, these may change a bit as you already know that orchids are a bit tricky in terms of substrate and how to cover them so that the roots are beautiful. But that won’t be too much of a problem for you.
We advise you to put a bag on the table (or something that covers it) to avoid stains and also to pick up more easily what falls. In addition to this, have:
- A container for mixing soil.
- Clay.
- Fertilizer for orchids.
- Mousse.
- Scissors.
- Water.
- Substrate for orchids.
- Peat.
- Coconut fiber.
mix the elements
The first thing we will do, in this mixing container, is to put the orchid fertilizer. Depending on which one you choose, you will need to add more or less quantity, but keep in mind that we are not going to use too much water (around 250ml) so you will have to withdraw the amount of fertilizer to put according to a rule of three.
Then add water and a glass of fine sand. Now add the coconut fiber, then the peat and finally some clay.
You need to mix all the ingredients to make a paste. It should not be too liquid. When it is ready, you need to put it on plastic or paper so that you can spread it well. You need to create a hole to place the orchid. Besides, This will help you place the orchid substrate there. In fact, you can throw it both inside the hole and around it (crushing it a bit so it sticks to the ground). You can do the same with akadama. As you will be covering it with dough, you will need to shape it into a ball.
You can help yourself with wax paper or a plastic bag to get that round shape. Of course, be careful not to press too hard so as not to damage the roots.
put the foam
Now all that remains is to add the mousse to the ball you made before. To do this, before doing it, we recommend that you moisten it well so that it is hydrated. Once you’ve covered the entire ball, you’ll need to use the twine to tangle all the twine so the foam doesn’t move and is secure.
Caring for Kokedama Orchids
Now that you are done, all you have to do is keep in mind that you have to water it every 15 days by misting it with water, as well as placing it in a sunny place (but not in full sun).
It is normal that at first it looks sadder, this process can stress the plant, so be patient for it to recover.
Making orchid kokedamas, as you have seen, is not difficult, but you must be careful with the orchid so that you don’t break its roots or they may be damaged in the process. Although it is recommended to always store them in a transparent jar, they can also be stored that way. Do you dare to buy an orchid and make it in the form of a kokedama?