This is a great idea for quickly dressing up a bare office desk or kitchen tabletop. The process is simple and the addition to the area does wonders. You need only a few materials and a little time to complete this project. This idea is also great for holiday gifts.
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. Bamboo plants are also an excellent hydroponic choice.
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
To Begin:
Start by thoroughly washing your vase as to remove any dust or particles from 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!
About the Author:
Donna Trewitt publishes home, hobby, and family ideas
and resources at Ruby Glen. You
can find home decor ideas, craft patterns, and holiday
ideas and recipes.
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This is a great idea for quickly dressing up a bare office desk or kitchen tabletop. The process is simple and the addition to the area does wonders. You need only a few materials and a little time to complete this project. This idea is also great for holiday gifts.
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.
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