Living plant (Spathiphyllum, Diffenbachia,
or Philodendron))
Craft Knife or Scissors
Filtered Drinking or Spring Water at room
temperature (over 70° F)
Instructions:
Clean the vase and rocks, making sure to rinse away any soap residue.
Select a plant cluster that suits the size of your container and tray. The cluster should be no longer than the bottom of the plant tray for your vase. Pinch off dead leaves and any damaged roots.
Gently turn the plant onto the work surface, allowing the soil to fall away from the main root ball. Work the soil from the bottom, away from the tighter root structure near the top. Gently pull the plant
clusters apart, keeping the roots of each intact as much as possible. (Don’t worry too much if roots are broken near the ends, as you will trim these later.)
Wash the root system thoroughly. It’s very important that every bit of soil is rinsed from the roots! For best results, we recommend soaking the roots in water overnight.
Cut an opening in the bottom of the plant tray the size of a quarter and pull the plant roots through it.
Carefully place decorative rocks or marbles in the bottom of the
container by the handful (pouring them directly into the glass container could cause it to break). Fill the container about 3/4 full with filtered drinking water at room temperature.
Place the plant assembly into the container. If necessary trim roots so they do not touch the bottom. The water level should fall below where the stems and roots meet, leaving about 2 inches of space between the plant assembly and the water surface.
Slip the tubing through the opening in the plant assembly. The bottom of the tube should poke down into the air space between the plant
assembly and water, without touching the water’s surface. This will
provide fresh air for your fish as well as a convenient way to feed it.
Place decorative rocks or marbles in the plant assembly, taking care not to make it too heavy.
Caring for Your Pet:
Take the wet tip of a toothpick and dip it in your betta fish food then feed through the tube.
It’s important that you leave about 2 inches of space between the
bottom of the plant assembly and the top of the water. Bettas have what is called a labyrinth organ, which means they can breath “our” air. They need this space at the surface of their water in order to live. Be sure the tubing is placed properly to provide fresh air.
Change out half of the water at least once a week, more often for smaller vases. Make sure to add filtered drinking water at room temperature.
Keep your living arrangements out of direct sunlight. Your arrangement should not be cooler than 70° F.
Supplies:
