DIY kokedama sessions next week

DIY kokedama will be presented on Monday, Oct. 17 from 6-8 p.m. at the Penquis Valley School in Milo and on Thursday, Oct. 20 from 6-8 p.m. at Piscataquis Community Secondary School in Guilford. This program is sponsored by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Piscataquis Valley Adult Education Cooperative.

Trisha Smith, home horticulture aid at Extension in Piscataquis County, will lead participants in a new planting adventure. “I saw these balls of soil and moss with house plants in them hanging in a funky shop in Portland, Ore.,” Smith said. “I thought, ‘I could do that!’”

Smith was a florist for many years before she began working for Extension, and she has always enjoyed trying out new design ideas and sharing them with people. Her research revealed that the funky plant technique is Japanese, and is called “kokedama” or “moss ball.”

Participants will encase succulent plant roots in a special soil blend and cover the ball with living moss. Kokedama may be suspended or displayed in a decorative container on a bright windowsill. Learn the technique now and make kokedama for decorations and gifts this holiday season. The course fee includes materials for one baseball/softball-sized kokedama. Pre-registration is required through PVAEC at http://pvaec.maineadulted.org/ or 564-6525.