Kokedama refers to the Japanese botanical art of growing plants in moss balls. Think of these as hanging bonsai-like greeneries that are unique accents to your home. They also complement minimalist and zen-inspired homes like Idesia Dasmariñas in Cavite. And like most plants, your kokedama will need proper care and maintenance to thrive and stay healthy.
Keep your kokedama happy, healthy, and beautiful with these five care tips:
Kokedama plants can stay in their ball forms for long periods. But to maintain their shape, gentle watering techniques are crucial. Instead of using a watering can or garden hose, soak your kokedama in a bowl of water for five to ten minutes. You’ll know your moss balls are fully watered when they’re heavy when lifted.
An alternative to soaking is spritzing. Use a fine mister to spray your moss balls to prevent damaging their shape. Spritzing is also a more practical method of watering your kokedama without putting them down and preparing bowls of water each time you need to water.
The safest time to water your kokedama is when they are dry to the touch and light in weight. And since these plant balls have living moss, they’ll require regular watering to retain their moisture; dryness will kill your kokedama fast.
Schedule your kokedama watering sessions depending on the weather. For instance, during dry, humid seasons, water your kokedama when they get dry to the touch, or every two to three days to maintain their moisture. On the other hand, during colder climates, watering your kokedama may be reduced to once or twice a week.
Sometimes, even with the utmost care, your plants’ leaves will turn brown and have dry, brittle edges. These can happen because of over- or underwatering. And while soaking and spritzing your kokedama will “revive” leaves that are browning, fully fried leaves need to be removed.
Gently pluck out the leaves and stems that have browned and dried. In some cases, you might have to split open your moss ball to remove all the rotten parts to prevent spreading the “sickness” to healthier plant parts. Reshape your moss ball by adding kokedama soil mix (combine bonsai soil and peat moss with water) to your original moss ball. This will make it bigger and more durable.
Most plants need sunlight to grow. But because your kokedama has plants that require partial to moderate sunlight, it is best to place your Japanese moss ball plants under indirect sunlight. Take advantage of your large windows by placing your kokedama near them. Placing them under direct sunlight will dry and burn them.
Note that reflected light may still damage your kokedama, especially during intense sunny days. Keep your plants from scorching by partially closing the curtains or blinds to “tone down” the light. If you prefer bare windows, position your kokedama a few feet away from your window. The reflected light will still come in and provide the essential nutrients for your kokedama to glow and be happy.
The moss around your kokedama will thin and fall off over time. Keep your moss balls intact and green-looking by adding new sphagnum moss. Carefully unwrap the string around your kokedama, and add a layer of moist sphagnum sheet moss. Keep adding until you reach your desired ball size.
If you’re struggling with molding a perfect sphere, wrap your ball with plastic stretch film. Mist your ball and the plastic first to keep your kokedama well-watered. Leave for an hour or two and carefully unwrap the plastic to reveal an adorable globe-shaped plant.
As you gain more points in your plant-parenting adventure, your baby greens need proper care and maintenance to grow beautifully. Preserve your kokedama’s shape, healthy, and zen beauty with these five care tips.
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