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From the time that I was little, there was nearly always a cutting from a plant sitting in a glass in a sunny window in my grandmother's kitchen. I continue the tradition when I can, but my own tastes run to using the glasses and jars that I find in my shopping travels. Beautiful glasses are so very inexpensive, and lend themselves to creating lovely things. I seldom can pass up an unusual piece of crystal. The shape of this glass is unique, but the garden idea can be used with any wide mouthed bowl glass, or even a large brandy snifter.
The peace and serenity of an Oriental garden are equal parts color, living plants and the natural stone. Even the structures that are placed in the garden are in keeping with nature - sandstone or natural wood, in lines that harmonize with the graceful shapes of garden plants. The materials used for the cuttings planter are simple to find and easy to assemble.
Materials
Instructions:
1. Wash and rinse glass well.
2. Dump river rocks or aquarium gravel in a sieve or colander and wash well under running water.
3. Fill glass with rocks to just below the rim of the glass. If using a brandy snifter, fill to just below where the glass begins to bell inward.
4. Strip any leaves on bottom 2-3 inches of cuttings. If desired, dip ends of stems in purchased rooting mix.
5. Carefully insert the ends of the stems into the rocks, nudging stones aside with fingertip if necessary.
6. Arrange benches, pagodas or other decorations on surface of rocks.
7. Fill glass with water to just below the level of the rocks. Tap water works just fine. Distilled water is 'dead' water - while it's pure and free of any contaminants, it also has no nutrients in it. If desired, you can mix rooting mixture according to package directions and substitute for the water.
Caring for your planter: Simply top up the water any time that the surface of the rocks is dry.
By
08/30/2005
Very nice, it sounds like I have done the same as your grandmother. I also use the large vases for small limbs or pieces and sit them on the porch in the sun and they will root. I keep a mother-in-laws tongue in a pint jar, cut in small pieces and it roots and comes out with little small ones on it with roots on them.
To meoowmom, that is how you learn......ask questions.......LOL..Fran
By
08/29/2005
I always wondered how to do this. I never asked
as my sisters and mom are green thumbs. So
now I can try this. I have finally one house plant
that I have had for 10 months and I named it
and check it and enjoy it daily.
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