Kusamono with Native Orchid

malhomme

This kusamono consists of native moss with strawberry and Spiranthes (cernua x?). For those unfamiliar with spiranthes, it is a terrestrial orchid that is common throughout North America. Spiranthes also go by the name Ladies Tresses. I think that this species could be used more often in plantings.

These were collected from my uncle's rose bed in Woodlands, Texas. Because they flower in winter, they'll never make it to our club show that's why I'm sharing them here.

Cheers,
Jim

Attached Images

	kusamono 008x.jpg (50.3 KB, 95 views)
	kusamono 007x.jpg (49.4 KB, 54 views)
	kusamono 004x.jpg (42.9 KB, 52 views)

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Carl_Bergstrom

Jim,

This is a beautiful composition. I like it very much. I like the choice of plants, I like the structure of the elements, I like the care you've taken with the moss and the photography and all of the elements of the presentation.

I do favor the first photograph over the second because the first doesn't reveal the full stand. In general, I don't like to see kusamono presented on a raised stand. A simple mat or a polished slice of a wood burl are usually preferred.

Thanks for posting this. It's only the first week of March and we've already seen two excellent kusamono here on BonsaiTALK this year. I like that!

Best wishes,
Carl

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Bone-sigh

Hi Jim,
The Spiranthes are beautiful! Heck the whole thing is great, but I am especially drawn to the spiranthes simply because I discovered them growing wild for the first time this year. I wanted to collect some, but I am not sure when. Do they have any visible leaves when they are not in flower? The reason I ask that is because here in Florida they have all faded and dissapeared. And, the area I found them in was a grass field...so it will be hard to find the out-of-flower spiranthes.

Good job. I really enjoyed this post.

Ryan

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JohnQuinn

Very nice...and it is hard to have our accents on the same schedule as our shows! ;-)

Lesley

Jim,
Thank You for posting this beautiful kusamono! It's inspirational! I wish there were more texts available for beginner's to learn how to do this! Lesley

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Ladybug

malhomme

I wholeheartedly agree. I've had a hard time finding stands of any kind, and I think that the inclusion of this stand was initially logistical and I just blithely stuck with it. Hi-ho.

--Jim

malhomme

Ryan,

Spiranthes are annual so if they've gone to seed, you won't find any stock in the field until next year. I collected these in late November.

What you will see, true their spiral form, is spiraling rosette of pinnate leaves surrounding a single 1-2 inch stalk. Most lose their leaves as they send up their spike. You will have success collecting them before they this. The roots are fleshy and white, just like epiphytic orchids.

When collecting be certain to bring along a lot of their native soil as they have a symbiotic relationship with fungi in the soil. This fungi is required for next years crop of seeds to germinate.

Also note that Florida may have laws enforcing the collection of native orchids.

I'm glad to see that someone else has taken intrest in these unassuming "weeds". I just think they are perfectly beautiful.

Good luck,
Jim

Alasdair

I would love to use some of the native british orchids for this, but the law over here won't let you touch most varieties. It's just unfortunate. Then there is the matter of actually finding them.

Jim, nice piece. i like.

Al

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malhomme

Willi Benz has an excellent book on this called Bonsai, Kusamono and Suiseki. Though covering more than just kusamono Willi does a fantastic job explaining their composition.

In my experience, kusamono have always been very easy to grow. This is the easy part for beginners. However the designs can sometimes be elaborate, so I think the easiest and most straightforward way to look at kusamono is that it is the art of representing a 2sq foot patch of woodland in 6sq inches. Then apply the design principals of ikibana.

I highly recommend Willi's book. It continues to be very informative for me.

--Jim