Dwarfed plants bring nature to a home interior<\/p>\n
Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
In the Japanese art of suiseki (beautiful-shaped natural stones),
\ndwarfed plants are frequently added to enhance the presentation
\nof the stones, completing "the story" of each stone.<\/p>\n
Just like the art of suiseki itself, the tiny plants as well
\nas the bases on which they are grown are carefully chosen and
\ncombined to meet esthetic considerations, such as an overall
\npleasant shape and balanced proportion.<\/p>\n
"These dwarfed plants are usually grown on small bases to
\ncapture the beauty of the normal sized plants in nature," said
\nsuiseki collector Hadi Wijaya.<\/p>\n
Among the most common dwarfed plants' bases for suiseki are
\nrare, beautiful shaped natural stones, fossilized wood or bones,
\nold terra-cotta pots or antique china.<\/p>\n
The plants and the bases are not merely chosen based on
\nartistic reason but also to embody a philosophical value.<\/p>\n
"The plant symbolizes the living element that lives in harmony
\nwith the rock as the lifeless, solid material. Both create
\nharmonious balance," Hadi explained.<\/p>\n
Although they are popular as a supporting element to suiseki
\nart, they too can be displayed as a separate feature, said the
\ncollector, who has been collecting beautiful shaped stones from
\naround the country for around 40 years.<\/p>\n
Either displayed alone or in a group, the dwarfed plants can
\nbring out a unique sense of serenity and a little greenery to an
\notherwise staid house interior.<\/p>\n
At his house in Cipaku, Bogor, Hadi displays dozens of
\nbeautiful dwarfed plants together with his suiseki collection. He
\nalso stands them alone, putting them on a cabinet or a table,
\nlike the one on his terrace.<\/p>\n
"Growing these tiny plants is not as difficult as many people
\nthink and they don't require complicated and time-consuming
\nmaintenance."<\/p>\n
He said that when the plants would be used in exhibitions, he
\nadded a little moss to cover the plant's root for esthetic
\nreasons.<\/p>\n
Different kinds of bases -- even stones found strewn in the
\nstreet -- can be used to create pleasant looking dwarfed plants.<\/p>\n
"You need a good eye and a sensitive judgment for the esthetic
\nin choosing the stone and the plants, and in how to marry them as
\na unique feature," Hadi said.<\/p>\n
The collector plants his collection of dwarfed plants himself,
\na hobby he took up around four years ago. The plants that he uses
\ninclude ferns, bromeliads, orchids and palm trees. Common grass,
\nhe added, can also be used.<\/p>\n
"The plants should be new growth or very young shoots and
\nstill tiny in size. The use of small mediums restricts their
\ngrowth so they cannot grow to normal size, like they do in
\nnature," Hadi said, adding that when removing the plants, one has
\nto make sure that their roots are intact.<\/p>\n
With a little tender loving care and suitable living
\nenvironment, the plants can grow healthily for many years.<\/p>\n
"They will retain their tiny shape for years but when they
\nhave grown out of proportion, you may need to replant them in
\nbigger bases."<\/p>\n
Hadi finds a lesson from nature in tending to his plants.<\/p>\n
"The fact that they can only thrive with tender loving care,
\nwhich we provide, can be likened to us who can only thrive
\nbecause God takes care of us."<\/p>\n
i-box:<\/p>\n
Steps to make your own dwarfed plants at home<\/p>\n
Step 1:
\nNecessary materials
\n* A nice shaped small base, like terra-cotta pots, stones or
\nchunks of wood, ideally with a flat surface or a hole big enough
\nto put the plant.
\n* Tiny young shoots or new growth of ferns, bamboo, bromeliads,
\npalm or orchids, for example, which can be obtained in nature,
\nlike those growing on tree barks or from a nursery.
\n* A wooden stick.
\n* Silicon rubber glue.
\n* Spray to water the plant.<\/p>\n
Step 2:
\n1. Since the dwarfed plant is to be displayed, wash the chosen
\nbase thoroughly and wait until it is completely dry.
\n2. Study the shape of the base and the chosen plant, making sure
\nthat when combined they make a harmonious looking display.
\n3. Gently add dabs of silicon rubber glue only on the area of the
\nbase where you want to secure the plant.
\n4. Carefully attach the plant to the base; using the wooden
\nstick, gently press the root of the plant so that it anchors to
\nthe base.
\n5. Spray the plant at least four times a day during the first few
\nweeks and twice a day afterward. Fertilizer can be given every
\nmonth through spraying. Display the plants in shady spots around
\nthe house.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/dwarfed-plants-bring-nature-to-a-home-interior-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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