Indoor Water Garden

	Dwarf papyrus placed in a galvanized bucket is a wonderful water arrangement for a rustic, casual setting.
	Figure A

Water gardens can add a soothing note to your interior design scheme. Not only are they beautiful, but they're very easy to create and maintain. Set in a picture window, they provide a delightful alternative to traditional window treatments. The best growing conditions for a water garden include 9 to 12 hours of bright, indirect sunlight.

• For a casual look, use a galvanized bucket as a container for your water garden. Fill it with water and place the plants, still in their pots, directly into the water (figure A). To prevent the water from becoming murky, add some gravel or rock to the surface of the soil in the pots. Add some fairy moss to the surface of the water to hide the pots. In the winter the floating fairy moss turns a beautiful burgundy.

	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

Try using a variety of glass containers to showcase your plants (figure B). Almost any container will work, from an elegant vase to a more humble cookie jar. As for plants, try parrot feather, fairy moss, water lettuce and water hyacinth.

Cooking pans--glass, plastic or metal--also work well for water gardens. Rinse the container well, without using soap. Place your potted plant in the bottom of the container and cover the soil with pebbles. Continue filling the rest of the container with rocks (figure C). Then fill with water.

Create centerpieces by floating a living plant, such as water lettuce, in a glass globe filled with water. The plant will continue to grow vigorously, so feel free to trim the roots and remove any brown leaves.

Fertilize water arrangements with the pellet form of aquatic plant fertilizer (figure D). Add one pellet per gallon of water. Let it dissolve, stir well and add to the arrangement.

To combat the natural growth of algae in water arrangements, use a nutrient degrader.

Resources
plant displays
Kurt Cyr
E-mail: kurt@kurtcyr.com
Website: http://www.kurtcyr.com/

glass container
Pier 1 Imports
Website: www.pier1.com
Also in this Episode

Insider's Garden : Episode TIG-108
•	Indoor Tranquility Garden
•	Growing Bamboo Indoors
•	Indoor Water Garden
•	Anchor Plants