MAKE A NIFTY PLANT NURSERY

The test-tube plant nursery allows you to bring your gardening efforts indoors as part of your home décor

What we used

• A grinder, fitted with a woodsanding flap.
• Bench drill stand
• Sandpaper
• A frostner drill bit
• Vice
• Table saw/plane
• Any scrap piece of wood
• At least three test-tubes

The bottom line

• Cost: Less than R50
• Skill level: Easy
• Time: ±2hrs

A word on plant propagation

Propagation in water, as this project involves, is just one of the ways to grow plants from cuttings. Part of the enjoyment of this technique is to be able to see the roots developing. You can also fill the test-tubes with good soil and plant the cuttings straight in. In both cases, you’re likely to have more success when you use hormone powder or even cinnamon powder, which encourages growth and deters pests. Encourage the plants by keeping them in a well-lit, but not hot, area and replace the water once a week. Roots should show within two to three weeks.

Plants are the new pets. That’s according to US-based trendspotter Li Edelkoort who spoke at this year’s Design Indaba in Cape Town. Her words make the timing of this project, perfect – it demonstrates how to make a simple plant nursery that can double as an alternative way to display flowers. It’s super-cheap and super-quick too.