 Adding foliage to a room always adds life to a room as well.
The best part of having your own miniature water garden is that you have
all the benefits of potted plants without having to worry about constant
watering!
Materials You Will Need:
- One glass vase in your choice of size and shape. Look
at your local discount retailer or craft and hobby store for a wide variety
of vases in numerous sizes, shapes and colors.
- One plant. I recommend using pothos ivy-which are
generally available year round at your local home and garden store-and are
extremely hardy.
- Decorative rocks. These rocks can be purchased at your
local home and garden store as well as at your local discount retailer, and
are fairly inexpensive.
- Water
- Decorative touches (optional)
- Beta Fish (optional)
To Begin:
Start by thoroughly washing your vase as to remove any dust or
particles from it’s sitting on the store shelf.
Prepare your plant by taking it out of the pot and removing
all loose potting soil. You may want to complete this portion of the
project with a hose. Remove as much of the loose dirt from the roots of
the plant as you can. You may need to soak the roots in lukewarm water for
approximately 20 to 30 minutes to allow the soil to loosen from the roots
further.
Place the desired amount of decorative rock in the bottom of
your vase. Once the soil has been removed completely from the roots of the
plant you can place the plant into the vase. You don’t have to worry
about the roots being buried in the rocks unless you don’t want them to
show. Should you choose to “bury” the roots you may want to
choose a shorter vase.
Place any decorative touches that you want to add into the
vase.
Place the plant into the vase and add water. You will
want to fill the vase with water so that all of the roots are completely
submerged and parts of the stems are emerged as well.
Display this vase on an office desk add a little life to the
room or in a kitchen window.
Caring for Your Miniature Water Garden:
Though mini water gardens need far less attention than potted
plants, they still need some occasional TLC. Follow these suggestions to
keep your mini water garden healthy and looking good:
Check your water garden every other week or so to be sure that
the water level is still appropriate. You want to be sure that the water
thoroughly covers all of the root and part of the stems of the plants. You
may want to change the water in the mini water garden monthly. This will
keep the water in the vase looking clear and sparkly. While changing the
water in the vase remove the rocks (do this about every two to three months) and
thoroughly clean the rocks as well as the inside of the vase.
Promptly remove any leaves that have dropped from the plant
into the water. These fallen leaves will begin to dirty up your water if
left sitting in the water too long will begin to rot. Trim any dying
or yellowing leaves from the plant. These leaves will sap the nutrition
from the healthy leaves.
If you choose to display the mini water garden in a window you
may need to add additional water more often, so be on the look out.
NOTE: These above tips are for mini water gardens only--not
with fish inhabiting the vase. Please follow the instructions provided
when you purchased your fish.
Additional Suggestions:
Visit your local pet store and purchase a beta fish to add in
with the plant! This adds an extra decorative touch to the project. A
pet store employee should be able to instruct you on the proper attention and
care for your fish.
Create this project to match any room’s decor in your home.
You can replace the decorative river rock with colored glass, marbles or
stones. There are several beautiful options of decorative stone to choose
from.
NOTE: Use only the river rock recommended for use in
aquariums when placing a fish into your vase.
Research different varieties of plants that will flourish in
water and make a water garden arrangement!
Go all out with your water garden and add small decorative
fish tank accessories or
decorative sea shells.
Tie a large bow around the vase and give as a unique gift!
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