Description
Alberta white spruce – Picea glauca – Zuckerhut Fichte Kokedama
Let’s rock this year Christmas decoration differently. This year it is hard to keep the season atmosphere, so why won’t keep it handy by the small reminder on our office desk or a kitchen table? After Christmas, it would be happy to move out to your backyard, garden or balcony.
Alberta white spruce, Picea glauca var. albertiana ‘Conica’, is a dwarf cultivated form of the white spruce from North America, which was discovered in 1904 on Lake Laggan in Canada.
Alberta white spruce is very slow-growing (2 to 10 cm growth per year) and becomes about 1.5 meters high in 15 years. In the garden, it is suitable for sunny to partially shaded locations and is hardy. It is also suitable as a container plant. It prefers moist soil and a slightly cooler place, as it is more easily attacked by pests in dry locations.
This kokedama would be more than happy to be moved to the garden at the early spring. As it is already in the form of kokedama, you can dare to try it form into a nice, outdoor bonsai. In both cases, please keep in mind that it should be move outside shortly after Christmas time. With planting you should wait till the frozen period would be over.
The form of kokedama allows it to either stand on a ceramic base, shell, bark of wood and be placed on window sills or tables as a solitary tree or in a group, as a home little forest.
“Kokedama (苔玉, in English, literally “moss ball”, koke – moss, tama – ball) is a ball of soil, covered with moss, on which an ornamental plant grows. The idea has its origins in Japan, where it is a combination of the nearai 根洗い (literally “root wash,” but meaning “no pot”) bonsai and kusamono planting styles. Today, Kokedama is very popular in Japanese gardens. “
from Wikipedia.com
Kokedama, is the youngest of bonsai varieties technique. It was established in the 90s in Japan. Initially, it wasn’t covered with moss or any other material. The idea to cover the soil and roots with moss came much later and it is still very young. Moss gives an additional cover, ensuring longer moisture retention and add extra aesthetic values. Kokedamas warm the cold interiors, giving it a friendly and unique character.
Watering Procedure:
Each time you notice that your kokedama are air weight-light they will need watering. The rough recommendation is once a week but it depends on the humidity in your apartment. To water kokedama, place it in the water, plant side up. Slightly push the moss ball down so that it is fully submerged and begins to absorb water. In the beginning, it will float over the surface, wait till it will drown. Allow soaking for 10-15 minutes, or until fully saturated with water. Remove kokedama from the water, gently squeeze the moss ball to allow excess water to drain, you might also shape it properly. Leave it overnight to drain all the excess of water.
Size of the kokedama:
height: 30cm
fi: around 10cm
