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Air Plant Care for your WabiMoss Piece

Air Plants 101: what is an air plant?

Air plants are the more common name for the Tillandsia, or Tilly, genus, which has about 650 species. This small house plant can come in a variety of shapes and colors. The base is the thickest part, almost like the trunk of a tree. The leaves spindle outwards from this base, some leaves straighter than others. Thinner leaves are more common in wet areas, whereas thick-leaved varieties are more common in dryer climates. The air plant is different than other house plants in that it does not absorb water from roots, nor does it contain any water reserves for refreshment. This is why watering your air plant is essential for a vibrant, healthy plant.

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Watering your air plant

The air plant on your WabiMoss piece should be detachable, meaning it can be removed for easy watering. Please do not water anything but the air plant, as this may damage your WabiMoss piece. Air plants should be watered in the morning/day ideally, as the plants may not be able to breathe and dry properly at night.

First, you will need a small container filled with water. Filtered water is the best option for watering. Distilled/soft water is dangerous to your plant’s well being, so please do not use these when watering. After you have removed the air plant from your piece, simply submerge it upside down into the water. The leaves should be at the bottom of the container with the base at the top. Water left at the base may not dry fully, which can harm your plant.

Leave the plant submerged for an hour or so. Afterwards, remove the plant from the container. Hold it between your fingers face up, with the base at the bottom and leaves at the top. Gently shake to remove any excess water.

Ideally, an air plant should dry within 1-3 hours after watering. You can help it dry by leaving it in soft sunlight. Do not dry the air plant when it is reattached to your WabiMoss piece, as this can damage the moss. After the air plant has fully dried, you may reattach it to your WabiMoss piece.

A note on tap water

If you only have tap water available, make sure to let it sit for a few hours before submerging your air plant. This will remove any chemicals in the water, making it safe for your plant.

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Lighting and Air for your air plant

Air plants do well in sunlight, although dryer conditions may limit the amount of light your plant needs. Indoor artificial lights will also work well to keep your plant healthy.  You may keep them near a window, or near an artificial light source. Air plants can overheat, but the general guideline is that they will thrive in temperatures between 50 to 90ᵒ F. Air conditioners may also dry out the moisture in the air, requiring more watering. Try to give your air plant some distance from the AC so that it does not dry out as quickly.

A shorter bath time?

If you would prefer to submerge the air plant for a shorter amount of time, you may bathe it once weekly, for 20 minutes. If that is still too long, you can also dunk the plant in water a few times. You must still shake off any excess water from the plant, and give it time to dry off completely. This will require a weekly bath, but for a much shorter period of time.

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And that’s it! These are just the basics for air plant care. If you want some more in-depth instructions, this website is a great source. Otherwise, enjoy!

Why Moss Art? The Beauty Behind the Moss

moss art moss wall art

 

    Moss art as an art form may not be traditional, but then again neither are we. For many of us, the appreciation of nature is innate – not something learned or taught, but rather organic and instinctive. Joy may be found when strolling through the park or when visiting a bountiful garden. It takes no effort to feel a sense of ease and wonder while looking upon a deep canyon filled with luscious trees, swaying in the wind.

    Thus it is no surprise when we find many portrayals of nature in artwork. Beautifully developed photographs capture the sun setting on a picturesque landscape, and many paintings depict the natural world in all its wonder. So why use moss as a medium in our artwork?

    WabiMoss understands the impact that nature brings to our man-centered world and strives to bring this power of nature indoors. Nature is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also meditative and peaceful for our minds and bodies. We chose a natural art form for these qualities, qualities that we believe are important to our lives. Our moss art is a green wall in the home – its three-dimensionality emerges from its wooden frame, as if a piece of a dense forest floor has been transplanted into the home or office – untouched and imperfect, yet harmonious and simple. Our moss art does not only depict, but it transports.

    So why moss art? Because moss is both simple and versatile, both unique and beautiful. The moss embodies the idea of wabisabi, that that which may have characteristics of asperity, simplicity, or asymmetry can, too, hold great beauty. Our moss art can last for decades and requires no care, but brings a beautiful slice of nature to brighten an interior environment so that you can enjoy the benefits, aesthetic or meditative, of Mother Nature without stepping out of the door.

 

moss art moss wall art

Forest Healing, the Japanese Art of Shinrin Yoku

Forest Healing: When times become stressful or exhausting, perhaps a walk through the forest is the solution. This is the idea behind Shinrin Yoku (森林浴), a Japanese term which loosely translates to forest healing. This forest healing is used to achieve relaxation and boost healthiness. Many of those who practice forest therapy do so to relieve themselves of the stress, both physical and emotional, of our modern world.

     It does not imply a quick stroll through a forest, but rather a slow and purposeful walk. To achieve the desired results, one must take time in each step, absorbing the details in the surrounding nature. Listen to the sounds, the rustling of leaves as a gentle wind passes through. Feel the earth, whether it be the firmness of the dirt beneath you or the light tickle of the grass on your ankle. Smell the forest, and let the scent of the terrain envelop you.

Forest Healing

     It is argued that the air within the forest is pure as the trees create clean air within the space, and the green and orange colors of the environment have a positive effect on the human body. The smells of the forest are said to be healing to our bodies. Studies have been done to test the results of purposeful forest bathing, and this research seems to support the claims of forest healing. One study found that forest bathing, in comparison with walking through a city setting, lowered cortisol levels, blood pressure and pulse rate. Another study found that after three days of forest healing, participants had a significant increase in white blood cells, or natural killer cells.

     The art of forest healing is well known and respected in Japan, but it has now reached the states too. In Los Angeles, the Shinrin Yoku company has opened, who will take you on guided tours through forests to achieve results. Based in San Francisco is The Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, which certifies individuals who are looking to become one of these forest healing guides. Their website also provides a starter kit for anyone looking into trying forest healing.

     So give it a try and talk a slow stroll through the forest and see how you feel!

Moss Girls: The Japanese Phenomenon of Moss Viewing

Moss Girls of Japan: A cloudy sky hovers above, while the light patter of rain descends upon the rain coat of a young woman. She holds a book between one of her arms as she’s crouched, with a camera closely focused in front of her. She hesitates for only a moment, then clicks and the picture has been taken. She wipes the moisture off of the lens, then withdraws a magnifying glass. She inspects fervently, devouring every small detail. After some time, she stands up and maintains her focus in front of her. She takes another look at the wet, dewy carpet of moss glistening back at her, excited to print the fresh picture and add it to her moss book. She inhales deeply, then continues walking in search of her next discovery.

     She is one of many Japanese moss girls. Moss girls are part of a growing trend in Japan of moss viewing, where moss viewers inspect the art of nature in the form of moss. These viewers bring magnifying glasses to get an up-close look at the small plants and to see the very core of its presence. They snap pictures to put into their moss photo books, in which photos recount the treasures of previous exploits. While many people, of different ages and genders, participate in moss viewing, a surge of young women enjoying this hobby has become a trend. These women have varying reasons for their enjoyment of moss viewing, but many agree that studying moss is relaxing, beautiful, and a reminder of endurance.

     In Japan, finding moss is quite simple. It may be carpeting the forest floor, or slowly climbing the trunk of a tree in front yards. In fact, Japan is home to over 2,000 species of moss. Japan’s varying geographies invite a multitude of species to grow, creating a diverse landscape for the moss viewers.

     The Japanese maintain the value of coexisting with nature, and moss viewing allows its participants to step foot into the natural world and gaze upon its presence. Even if not physically able to go outdoors, Japanese art forms such as the bonsai tree, moss gardens, or flower arrangements bring the art form of nature indoors. While many parts of Japan have become sleek and urbanized, the Japanese still recognize the power and beauty of nature and some allow this curiosity to flourish while chasing the next thicket of moss.

 

To read more about moss girls in Japan, or how to do a moss viewing yourself, read Hisako Fujii’s article here!

 

Moss Girls Japan

Photo by Kyodo News