Wabi-kusa projects

[NeilW]

Surprised you havn't seen these before Luis, they been around for a bit just seems its mostly in Japan ;
http://ukaps.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=9877&hilit=+wabi

As Garuf says I think its just straight clay based soil and the exterior moss wrapping keeps it together. You could try a clay soil/spagnum moss mixture though.

Sorry T it looks like your thread has become hijacked into an accumulation of all wabi-kusa knowledge

 

[ghostsword]

I have seen the wabi-kusa trays but not the balls, especially all lined up. 🙂 It is a fantastic idea, and something for me to try out. This would allow every small corner of the house to have a plant on.. 🙂

Pitty about the hijack.. 🙂

 

[NeilW]

I think the balls are the 'real deal' whilst the trays are more paludarium type things. Check out my link on page 9 of T's journal, theres some guy who has the proper growing setup with them all lined up.

On the plus side I think the hijacking (apologies) shows hows inspirational your work has been T

 

[ghostsword]

Yep.. the full step by step here:
http://aquariumlife.com.au/showthread.p ... t-style...!

 

[TBRO]

Hey guy`s no worries it`s not a hijac as I find this sort of thing so inspiring. I think I´ve got to have another go at the whole ball thing. Especially as I have lots of cuttings now.

For my money I think just using ADA substrate wrapped in moss might result in least sediment leaking out.

I like the idea of using them to set up an underwater scene, would be a great way for beginners to get instant impact. I#ve got a handful of moss from the lake edge, already has several plants growing in it. Keep up the discourse T

 

[NeilW]

I think I´ve got to have another go at the whole ball thing. Especially as I have lots of cuttings now.

I think I may give it a crack too, breaking down the old tank soon so will have fresh excess moss, can take some cuttings from my emersed jar too. I had an idea the other day of getting hold of some 1-2-GROW plants as these would be instantly used to emersed growing with no transition.

For my money I think just using ADA substrate wrapped in moss might result in least sediment leaking out.

Agreed, if I went for it I would go for soil then a spagnum moss coating AND THEN aquatic moss (half would be emmersed) or aquatic and terrestrial mosses for the top.

This may sound a dense question but how well have you found they float T? In that 'instant scape' obviously theyre submerged - would they be weighted down?

 

[TBRO]

They don`t float at all really. I tried to make that floating island but it never worked out. Luis has had some good results with foam.....

 

[ghostsword]

Close cell foam and plastic mesh are great to create floating islands.

I am now looking at hydrocoton sandwiched between two mesh pieces.. 🙂

This stuff is really inspiring..

 

[TBRO]

Here's a couple of little bits I've been playing with.

This one I have used ADA substrate with moss all the way around the outside secured with string. Seems to do a much better job of not letting mud etc leak out of the ball.



This is a lump of moss I took from the side of a lake in Wales. Probably the most traditional WK I've done!



This one was made up of some extra ferns and VF I had. Turned out quite nice.


Here's a close up of some emergent HC growing outside....

T

 

[NeilW]

These are geninely amazing T, I love 'em! Really liking the ferns too.

I'd gladly pay good money for one of your masterpieces. I was going to have a go as I've got spare moss but I'm lacking in a decent 'feature' and 'accent' plant, I've only got some dodgy stem plant I could possibly use

Was thinking of trying the 1-2-GROW plants as theyre already emersed...

Also string you say not cotton? Just the standard white stuff?

 

[TBRO]

Hey Neil, thanks for the comment. Actually I did mean sewing cotton, brown seems a pretty invisible colour. I just wish we could get the real ADA plant balls here! T

 

[NeilW]

Actually I did mean sewing cotton, brown seems a pretty invisible colour.

Ahh OK, if I do it I'll go in for black cotton + moss + and Columbo-Base and see what happens

I just wish we could get the real ADA plant balls here! T

I agree On the other hand necessity is meant to be the mother of invention; look at those beauties you've created because you couldn't get hold of ADA!

 

[hydrophyte]

These new ones are lovely TBRO.

I really like these two.

 

[galador]

my wabi kusa project changed already under construction and since then even more evolved to breeding tank/heteropoda shrimp tank/something for my eyes every morning...


about 9 months from planting...

 

[WabiKasuH20Fall]

Just picked these up today. Pretty little guys they're Kokedama 😀 ...

Asparagus Fern:

Mini Palm:

They'll most likely end up on the cascade shelves in my tank but for now they look lovely just the way they are sitting in some glassware I picked up yesterday at The Goodwill.

 

[JohnC]

My Asparagus Fern is about 20ft long and 10ft wide now. 🙂

Nice to see it used in this way. At least when i get around to it i'll have plenty of source material 🙂

 

[TBRO]

Not done any aquatic gardening for a few years but started to dabble a bit with a couple of Wabi Kusi. Trying to get UG to flower this time! Stayrogyne island is coming along slowly. Who knows a tank may even follow.....

 

[TBRO]

Both Wabis coming along nicely. UG very easy to grow this way. Easily enough for a small tank now, still no flowers on the UG...

 

[TBRO]

 

[Martin in Holland]

Great to see this...I just started some moss balls of my own a stumbled on this read. As I am trying to grow some UG too, could you tell me how you did it (soil, light, water....)?