Series host Josh Schneider demonstrates how to make a living wreath out of succulents. Materials:
Wire wreath form
Woodland grain moss (available at garden centers and home-improvement stores)
Potting soil
Copper wire
Long tweezers
Succulent cuttings - Spread a sheet of the moss on the work surface and place the wreath form on top of it, flat side down.
- Pour potting soil over the wreath form; it will fall through the wire onto the moss.
- Once the wreath form is filled with soil, begin wrapping the moss over the wire to completely cover the soil.
- As you cover the wire with the moss, begin wrapping it with copper wire (figure A) -- not too tightly or the wire will break. The copper wire should be spaced about an inch apart as you wrap.
- Keep wrapping until you've gone around the wreath twice. Then cut and fasten off the copper wire.
- Now you're ready to add the succulents. The best way to do this is to use the long tweezers to poke holes in the moss: insert the tweezers and roll them around a bit to make a slightly larger hole. Then carefully insert a stem, using the tweezers to guide it into the opening (figure B).
- Continue inserting plants until the surface of the wreath is covered. Don't hurry -- you don't have to finish it all in one day.
Tips:
- It's better to work with soil that's dry -- the plants will insert more easily, and when you water the finished wreath, the moss will soak up the water and plump up, grabbing the plants and holding them firmly.
- Don't worry if some of the plants fall out -- it's probably going to happen, and it's not the end of the world!
- The easiest way to water the wreath is to fill a garbage-can lid with water and set the wreath down in it. Leave it for about an hour and then remove from the lid. It will have to be watered only about once every week or two, depending on the climate.
- If you want to keep working on the wreath, water it in the evening after you finish working on it, then leave it. By the next morning, it will be dry enough to work on again.
Tools Here are a couple of gardening "tools" you may not have considered before: Paint: Who says you have to be stuck with plain old monochromatic terra-cotta pots? Paint is great for decorating planters to match your decor.
Camera: Record your gardening success by taking photos of your garden's progress. You can also take the photos to the garden center if you have questions about any of your plants -- visual aids are always helpful!
RESOURCES :
Wreaths: The Best of Martha Stewart Living
Model: 0517887762
Author: Martha Stewart and Carolyn B. Mitchell
Wreaths and Garlands: Home Decorating Workbooks with 20 Step-by-Step Projects
Model: 082305876X
Author: Lisl Dennis
The Living Wreath
Model: 0879057009
Author: Teddy Colbert
(June, 1996)
Gibbs Smith Publishing
Website: www.gibbs-smith.com
Country Living Handmade Wreaths: Decorating throughout the Year
Model: 0688161359
Author: Arlene Hamilton Stewart
Wreath Making Basics: More than 80 Wreath Ideas
Model: 0806902795
Author: Dawn Cusick
How to Do Wreaths If You Think You Can't
Model: 1574860607
Author: Leisure Arts Staff
The Ultimate Wreath Book: Hundreds of Beautiful Wreaths to Make from Natural Materials
Model: 087596978X
Author: Ellen Spector Platt
Wreaths: Creative Ideas for the Year Round
Model: 0395977770
Author: Richard Kollath
(1992)
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
Houghton Mifflin Co.
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617-351-5000
Email: tradecustomerservice@hmco.com
Wreath Making Basics : More Than 80 Wreath Ideas
Model: 0806902795
Author: Dawn Cusick
Holiday Wreath Book: 80 Wreaths to Celebrate Birthdays, Anniversaries & Holidays Throughout the Year
Model: 0806986964
Author: Eric Carlson
(1992)
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.
Website: www.sterlingpub.com
Christmas Naturals: Ornaments, Wreaths & Decorations
Model: 0806983612
Author: Carol Taylor
(1992)
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.
Website: www.sterlingpub.com
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