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This beautiful miniature moss bonsai in a teacupful is a simple afternoon project you may love indoors any time of class . It ’s from the bookMiniature Moss Gardensand include full step - by - step instructions below .

If you bonk small plants , also see how to makesuper - mini bonsai .

Mini moss garden.

Mini moss garden in a teacup

Miniature Moss Gardens

This selection fromMiniature Moss Gardenswas provide by Tuttle Publishing who also provided a review article copy of the book .

What is a Moss Bonsai?

The ‘ bon ’ in bonsai refers to the pot , while the ‘ sai ’ character have in mind plant . jackpot or bowls in which moss only is planted are called moss pots . These do not need a hole in the bottom , unlike moss bonsai sess .

For moss bonsai beginner , a belittled tidy sum about the size of it of your hand is advocate as it will not take up too much blank . As the years go by , the moss will get duncical and provide an attractive contrast to the surrounding flora .

When choosing a pot or bowl for your moss bonsai , verify it has a trap in the base . Japanese - style sports stadium that evoke a feeling of calm are a near alternative , but colourful bowls and receptacle with an interesting shape are also desirable .

Miniature moss garden with tiny tree.

Choose something that will complement the ambience of the place and crop in with the figure you are trying to create .

MOSS TIPSMoss bonsai and moss potsReceptacles harbor only moss are call moss pots , while moss bonsai have plants grow together with the moss .

pocket-sized pots are easy to move aroundPots that are too small do not retain water well and will easily dry out out . handwriting - sized corporation are best .

How to make a moss bonsai from the book, Miniature Moss Gardens

ensure the bonsai pot has a holeUse a bonsai pot that has a kettle of fish or make a hole in the pile yourself . Moss pots do not need a fix .

Make a Moss Bonsai

Materials

Tools

  • Kokedama ( territory for moss)can be made from a combination of peat * soil , Akadama land , Fuji sand ( black volcanic rock backbone ) , river sand and charcoal ( Elmer Rice hull oxford grey ) .

  • Peat ( sphagnum peat moss)has been wide used in potting mixture for class . Because harvesting peat need the wipeout of irreplaceable carbon - sequestering ecosystems ( bogs ) , the search for sustainable alternatives is afoot . Coconut coir is often suggested but it too has restriction . The seeking to garden in an eco - friendly manner continues .

In Canada and the United States , we can develop moss outdoors on loam , clay , or other rich grease ; preferably not flaxen soils . For indoor maturation , getmoss potting land .

How to make a moss bonsai from the book, Miniature Moss Gardens

WATCH OUTMake sure not to damage moss when attach it . Some eccentric of moss are easily damage . Be particularly careful when concern moss with your hands or with pincer .

Steps

These images are slightly low answer but I ’m hope you may still see the steps understandably enough to follow them . ~m .

Keep in mind how you want the finished merchandise to look . A miniature landscape painting with valleys and river can be created on this foundation .

touch on : How to Choose Plants for Miniature Gardens

How to make a moss bonsai from the book, Miniature Moss Gardens

This makes the moss easier to confiscate to the planting territory . practice curved scissors hold for this task .

This is done with a tool such as pincers with a spatula impound . Use the spatula to adjust the emplacement of the moss .

keep the overall composition in mind , position the mountain grasses . found them by stick in them into the moss from above .

Miniature garden plants.

Position the usual bluet , keeping in intellect the overall counterbalance of the moss and mountain grass . If moss is lay in the impression of a rock , you will reach a more realistic result .

Spray thinly to wash off any easy dirt . Wash dirt off the loving cup as well .

Caring for a Moss Bonsai

In a moss bonsai , not only does the moss need watering but also the flora growing in the moss . If the surface of the grime in the commode becomes white and dry or the moss dry out out , watering is call for .

employ a lacrimation can and H2O until redundant trickles out from the hole in the base of the pot .

For little batch and pots arrest only moss , either utilize a spraying bottle so that the moss will not get wash off off or moved but still receive passel of water , or come out the slew in a tray filled with water for a few minutes so it can be imbue up through the hole in the base of the pot .

How to make a moss bonsai from the book, Miniature Moss Gardens

As a raspy usher , water once a day in leap and crepuscule , morning and night in summer and once every 2 - 3 days in winter . However , it is always best to chink whether the moss is dry before lachrymation .

Get the Book

Miniature Moss Gardenspresents expert advice and techniques from the provenance of miniature horticulture — Japan .

Friendly enough for total beginners and full of ideas and tips that experienced gardeners will love to read about , this moss gardening book brings you information on the following :

A section on finding moss on city streets , parks and heap opens your optic to the knockout that ’s all around you every day !

How to make a moss bonsai from the book, Miniature Moss Gardens

Moss can be gathered to make a complete and perfect miniature horticulture Earth .

permit this fun Nipponese horticulture book arrange you on the path to a deep fill unexampled way of expressing yourself .

With full - color photographs and step - by - step educational activity you will be create your own Moss Garden in no metre .

How to make a moss bonsai from the book, Miniature Moss Gardens

If you sleep together moss , there are deal more creative projection in the book , plus extensive information on how to identify , roll up , and give care for moss .

Happy gardening ,

~Melissathe Empress of Dirt ♛

How to make a moss bonsai from the book, Miniature Moss Gardens

How to make a moss bonsai from the book, Miniature Moss Gardens

Miniature Moss Gardens: create your own Japanese container gardens