From the page: Glass is a blank canvas
Idea 3
Decorative water propagation
Getting roots to sprout in water is propagation by cuttings, a technique gardeners have used for centuries because many plants grow roots easily from a submerged stem. It works because the plant, unable to find water in the cut stem, activates dormant cells at that point and turns them into roots — pure botanical plasticity. And in water, you get to watch the whole thing happen, which makes the piece both alive and educational.
What you need
- The glass jar
- Easy-to-root cuttings: pothos, ivy, heartleaf philodendron, jade plant, or basil
- Clean water
- A pebble or piece of charcoal to drop in the water
How to make it
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1
Cut a cutting with at least two "nodes" (the little bumps where leaves grow), because that's where the roots appear.
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2
Remove any leaves that would sit underwater — leaves in water rot and ruin everything.
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3
Place the cutting in the jar with water covering one node, never the upper leaves.
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4
Change the water every 3 or 4 days to prevent bacteria that make the stem rot.
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5
Once the roots are longer than about 2 inches, you can plant it in soil or just leave it in the jar as decor.
Finishing touches
several jars at different heights, each with one cutting, make a gorgeous grouping on a windowsill. A small piece of charcoal in the water keeps everything cleaner for longer.
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