Difference between revisions of "Plant a Teacup Garden"
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==Steps== | ==Steps== | ||
===Preparing the Teacup=== | ===Preparing the Teacup=== | ||
| − | # Select the teacups for the garden. If you don’t have a supply of teacups already in your cupboard that you’re willing to sacrifice for this project, you’ll need to purchase some. You can find inexpensive cups at your local thrift or secondhand store.<ref>http://theinspiredroom.net/2013/03/11/indoor-house-plants/</ref> Or, look in antique stores for older, delicate teacups or sales at department or home-ware stores; the sales can be especially useful for mismatching and loose teacups sold at discount prices. | + | # Select the teacups for the garden. If you don’t have a supply of teacups already in your cupboard that you’re willing to sacrifice for this project, you’ll need to purchase some. You can find inexpensive cups at your local thrift or secondhand store.<ref name="rf1">http://theinspiredroom.net/2013/03/11/indoor-house-plants/</ref> Or, look in antique stores for older, delicate teacups or sales at department or home-ware stores; the sales can be especially useful for mismatching and loose teacups sold at discount prices. |
| − | #*Purchase teacup and saucer combos. You can use the saucer as a drip tray to catch water that leaks through the drainage hole that you’ll drill into the bottom of the cup later.<ref>https://dengarden.com/gardening/Succulent-Gardens</ref> The saucer can be sourced from somewhere else, provided it complements the teacup nicely. | + | #*Purchase teacup and saucer combos. You can use the saucer as a drip tray to catch water that leaks through the drainage hole that you’ll drill into the bottom of the cup later.<ref name="rf2">https://dengarden.com/gardening/Succulent-Gardens</ref> The saucer can be sourced from somewhere else, provided it complements the teacup nicely. |
| − | # Make an indentation in the chosen teacup, to prepare it for drilling. Place a small X of masking tape in the center of the bottom of the cup. Lightly tap a drill bit at the center of the X with a hammer until a small dent is created.<ref>http://www.diamondsure.com/Techniques.shtml</ref> Ensure that this tap is very light, or the cup can shatter. | + | # Make an indentation in the chosen teacup, to prepare it for drilling. Place a small X of masking tape in the center of the bottom of the cup. Lightly tap a drill bit at the center of the X with a hammer until a small dent is created.<ref name="rf3">http://www.diamondsure.com/Techniques.shtml</ref> Ensure that this tap is very light, or the cup can shatter. |
# Drill a hole in the teacup for drainage. Before drilling, protect your eyes with safety glasses. Insert the bit into the drill. With moderate pressure, drill at the dent at a low speed until the drainage hole is formed. | # Drill a hole in the teacup for drainage. Before drilling, protect your eyes with safety glasses. Insert the bit into the drill. With moderate pressure, drill at the dent at a low speed until the drainage hole is formed. | ||
#*Be patient while drilling. This process may take up to five minutes or more. Applying too much pressure could cause the teacup to crack. | #*Be patient while drilling. This process may take up to five minutes or more. Applying too much pressure could cause the teacup to crack. | ||
#*Place a piece of scrap wood under your cup while drilling. This way, if you suddenly punch through the cup, you don’t accidentally drill into your work surface. | #*Place a piece of scrap wood under your cup while drilling. This way, if you suddenly punch through the cup, you don’t accidentally drill into your work surface. | ||
| − | #*To reduce friction and the chances of damaging the teacup, irrigate the hole with a little water, as you're drilling. Spray bottles and eyedroppers work well for applying water in this fashion.<ref | + | #*To reduce friction and the chances of damaging the teacup, irrigate the hole with a little water, as you're drilling. Spray bottles and eyedroppers work well for applying water in this fashion.<ref name="rf3" /> |
===Inserting Plants in the Teacup=== | ===Inserting Plants in the Teacup=== | ||
| − | # Choose suitable plants for the teacup garden. Prioritize plants that are resilient and hearty. Generally, alpine plants and succulents work well for teacup gardens.<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardenprojects/9941135/How-to-make-teeny-tiny-container-gardens.html</ref> These require little water and can thrive even in small containers. Suggestions for suitable alpine and succulent options include:<ref>https://empressofdirt.net/plants-for-miniature-gardens/</ref> | + | # Choose suitable plants for the teacup garden. Prioritize plants that are resilient and hearty. Generally, alpine plants and succulents work well for teacup gardens.<ref name="rf4">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardenprojects/9941135/How-to-make-teeny-tiny-container-gardens.html</ref> These require little water and can thrive even in small containers. Suggestions for suitable alpine and succulent options include:<ref name="rf5">https://empressofdirt.net/plants-for-miniature-gardens/</ref> |
| − | #*Alpine plants: Thrift (Armeria juniperifolia), winter aconite (Eranthis cilicica), fritillary (Fritillaria uva-vulpis), primrose (dwarf Primula marginata), saxifrage (Saxifraga), stonecrop (Sedum species), and others.<ref | + | #*Alpine plants: Thrift (Armeria juniperifolia), winter aconite (Eranthis cilicica), fritillary (Fritillaria uva-vulpis), primrose (dwarf Primula marginata), saxifrage (Saxifraga), stonecrop (Sedum species), and others.<ref name="rf4" /> |
| − | #*Succulents: Moon cactus (Gymnocalycium mihanovichii), aloe, small hens and chicks (Sempervivum tectorum), baby jade or hobbit jade (Crassula ovata), zebra plant (Haworthia fasciata), blue waves (Echeveria), and similar small succulent varieties.<ref>https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/82629492/list/succulents-in-containers-the-ultimate-easy-care-mini-garden</ref> | + | #*Succulents: Moon cactus (Gymnocalycium mihanovichii), aloe, small hens and chicks (Sempervivum tectorum), baby jade or hobbit jade (Crassula ovata), zebra plant (Haworthia fasciata), blue waves (Echeveria), and similar small succulent varieties.<ref name="rf6">https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/82629492/list/succulents-in-containers-the-ultimate-easy-care-mini-garden</ref> |
| − | # Layer pebbles under the potting soil to promote plant health. Alpine plants and succulents have adapted to severe, often arid or semi-arid climates, so too much water can be harmful to them. Fill the bottom third of the teacup with small pebbles, to prevent the buildup of excess water.<ref | + | # Layer pebbles under the potting soil to promote plant health. Alpine plants and succulents have adapted to severe, often arid or semi-arid climates, so too much water can be harmful to them. Fill the bottom third of the teacup with small pebbles, to prevent the buildup of excess water.<ref name="rf2" /> |
| − | # Insert the plants, along with any additional soil needed, into the teacup. Add soil to the teacup until it is about three-quarters of the way full. Remove plants from their containers gently. Brush excess potting mix off the plant root balls. Create a small hole in the soil with your finger, then insert the plant's roots. Fill in additional soil as necessary.<ref | + | # Insert the plants, along with any additional soil needed, into the teacup. Add soil to the teacup until it is about three-quarters of the way full. Remove plants from their containers gently. Brush excess potting mix off the plant root balls. Create a small hole in the soil with your finger, then insert the plant's roots. Fill in additional soil as necessary.<ref name="rf4" /> |
#*The ideal depth for the root holes of specific plants should be indicated on the care instructions that came with your plant. When in doubt, look this information up online with a keyword search for the relevant plant. | #*The ideal depth for the root holes of specific plants should be indicated on the care instructions that came with your plant. When in doubt, look this information up online with a keyword search for the relevant plant. | ||
#*To ensure that the plant has enough nutrients in the teacup garden, mix potting soil with fertilizer separately before adding it to the teacup. The amount of fertilizer needed should be indicated on the fertilizer's label directions (and possible also the plant's label). | #*To ensure that the plant has enough nutrients in the teacup garden, mix potting soil with fertilizer separately before adding it to the teacup. The amount of fertilizer needed should be indicated on the fertilizer's label directions (and possible also the plant's label). | ||
| − | #*When topping off the teacup with soil, refrain from adding too much soil. The soil should '''not''' cover the bottom foliage of the plants, as this can cause disease or rotting.<ref>http://www.bhg.com/gardening/how-to-garden/how-to-plant-flowers/</ref> | + | #*When topping off the teacup with soil, refrain from adding too much soil. The soil should '''not''' cover the bottom foliage of the plants, as this can cause disease or rotting.<ref name="rf7">http://www.bhg.com/gardening/how-to-garden/how-to-plant-flowers/</ref> |
# Water the teacup garden as necessary. After planting, water your plants well, but do not saturate the soil. After watering, check the care instructions for the plants, to determine how frequently they need to be watered. Different plants have varying watering needs. | # Water the teacup garden as necessary. After planting, water your plants well, but do not saturate the soil. After watering, check the care instructions for the plants, to determine how frequently they need to be watered. Different plants have varying watering needs. | ||
#*If you don’t plan on using a drip tray, move teacup gardens to the sink when watering and replace them when they’ve drained completely. | #*If you don’t plan on using a drip tray, move teacup gardens to the sink when watering and replace them when they’ve drained completely. | ||
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==== Making Miniature Mushrooms ==== | ==== Making Miniature Mushrooms ==== | ||
# Create mushrooms with air-dry modeling compound. Open the modeling compound and separate off roughly a marble’s worth. Roll this into a ball with your hands. Pinch the ball at one end and pull the compound away from the central ball to form a stem. | # Create mushrooms with air-dry modeling compound. Open the modeling compound and separate off roughly a marble’s worth. Roll this into a ball with your hands. Pinch the ball at one end and pull the compound away from the central ball to form a stem. | ||
| − | #*Insert a small piece of floral wire through the stem into the cap of the mushroom to extend the wire out of the bottom of the stem.<ref>http://www.campmakery.com/content/create-miniature-teacup-garden</ref> | + | #*Insert a small piece of floral wire through the stem into the cap of the mushroom to extend the wire out of the bottom of the stem.<ref name="rf8">http://www.campmakery.com/content/create-miniature-teacup-garden</ref> |
#*The length of the floral wire will vary depending on the size of the mushrooms. Generally, there should be enough emerging from the bottom to allow you to handle it easily. | #*The length of the floral wire will vary depending on the size of the mushrooms. Generally, there should be enough emerging from the bottom to allow you to handle it easily. | ||
| − | #*You can make longer lasting, sturdier decorations using polymer clay. Follow the clay's directions for the best results. In most cases, polymer clay must be baked for it to harden.<ref>https://empressofdirt.net/diy-polymer-clay-charms-101/</ref> | + | #*You can make longer lasting, sturdier decorations using polymer clay. Follow the clay's directions for the best results. In most cases, polymer clay must be baked for it to harden.<ref name="rf9">https://empressofdirt.net/diy-polymer-clay-charms-101/</ref> |
==== Making Miniature Houses ==== | ==== Making Miniature Houses ==== | ||
# Form the base of miniature houses with the compound. Double the amount of compound you used for mushrooms and roll it into a ball with your hands. Shape the ball into a rectangular box for the base of the house. | # Form the base of miniature houses with the compound. Double the amount of compound you used for mushrooms and roll it into a ball with your hands. Shape the ball into a rectangular box for the base of the house. | ||
| − | # Use a toothpick to add fine details to the base of the house. Create little squares for windows with the toothpick. Even small indentations made with the toothpick will appear like tiny windows. Add a central rectangle shape for the front door.<ref | + | # Use a toothpick to add fine details to the base of the house. Create little squares for windows with the toothpick. Even small indentations made with the toothpick will appear like tiny windows. Add a central rectangle shape for the front door.<ref name="rf8" /> |
# Add a roof and finish the house. Take a marble-sized amount of compound and form it into a triangle or cone for the roof. Push floral wire through the bottom of the rectangle into the roof to connect both pieces. | # Add a roof and finish the house. Take a marble-sized amount of compound and form it into a triangle or cone for the roof. Push floral wire through the bottom of the rectangle into the roof to connect both pieces. | ||
#*Extra wire should emerge from the bottom of the house similarly to the sculpted mushrooms. | #*Extra wire should emerge from the bottom of the house similarly to the sculpted mushrooms. | ||
| − | #*If the house is connected by floral wire alone, it may be unstable. Increase the stability by adding more floral wires or attaching the top and bottom parts using a dot of hot glue.<ref | + | #*If the house is connected by floral wire alone, it may be unstable. Increase the stability by adding more floral wires or attaching the top and bottom parts using a dot of hot glue.<ref name="rf8" /> |
# [[Paint Miniatures|Paint]] your models. The floral wire of models can be stuck into floral foam to make painting easier. Add a small amount of paint to a palette or paper plate. Dip your brush in the paint and apply your base layer. For example, for mushrooms this will likely be red. Once the red base layer is dry, you can add white spots. | # [[Paint Miniatures|Paint]] your models. The floral wire of models can be stuck into floral foam to make painting easier. Add a small amount of paint to a palette or paper plate. Dip your brush in the paint and apply your base layer. For example, for mushrooms this will likely be red. Once the red base layer is dry, you can add white spots. | ||
#*Add accents to your teacup garden models. Attach Spanish moss to the roofs of the houses with a little hot glue. | #*Add accents to your teacup garden models. Attach Spanish moss to the roofs of the houses with a little hot glue. | ||
| − | #*Feel free to experiment with different colors. [[Coordinate Colors|Coordinate]] your color schemes with the natural colors of your plants.<ref | + | #*Feel free to experiment with different colors. [[Coordinate Colors|Coordinate]] your color schemes with the natural colors of your plants.<ref name="rf8" /> |
# Add the models to your teacup garden. Simply stick the floral wire into an open patch of dirt in the teacup garden to add any model to it. Arrange several houses together to make it look like you have a miniature village tucked away in your teacup garden. | # Add the models to your teacup garden. Simply stick the floral wire into an open patch of dirt in the teacup garden to add any model to it. Arrange several houses together to make it look like you have a miniature village tucked away in your teacup garden. | ||
