Just got back from the Big Island a few days ago. While there, a friend gave me a few newly rooted kava plants. I'm really excited to see if I can start a small indoor collection, and also try to keep one alive at the Bula Kava House kava bar. I have a couple Nenes, and a couple Mo'is.
I have a small walk-in greenhouse that I'm setting up in a spare bedroom at home. I have a south facing window that should provide enough sunlight, even in dreary Portland. It helps that kava doesn't like much direct sunlight anyway. Hopefully the greenhouse will help create a little higher temperature and humidity.
I was having a hard time figuring out how to showcase plants at the bar. Obviously I can't set up a greenhouse, and I think kava would have a hard time potted by a window, especially a very young plant. I decided to try a closed terrarium. Terrariums are enclosed ecosystems with hands off water and nutrient exchange. Simply add a little water every three months (Fully sealed terrariums sometimes never need added water). This will have to be temporary because even with regular pruning, the kava will outgrow the terrarium pretty quickly. The hope is that at that point, the plant will be strong enough to survive being potted indoor.
I'm glad to be able to help customers find a better connection to what they're drinking. Our 10 year anniversary is in March 2021. How cool would it be to drink kava from the plant that everybody watched grow for 2 1/2 years?
Whatever happens, it will be a fun little experiment. I'd like to get a few more plants if these don't die. It would be super cool to have one from every kava growing region.
Anyway, check out the pics. The pot is the temporary home until I set up the greenhouse. The sphagnum is because I have one Mahakea cutting that I'm hoping will root.
I have a small walk-in greenhouse that I'm setting up in a spare bedroom at home. I have a south facing window that should provide enough sunlight, even in dreary Portland. It helps that kava doesn't like much direct sunlight anyway. Hopefully the greenhouse will help create a little higher temperature and humidity.
I was having a hard time figuring out how to showcase plants at the bar. Obviously I can't set up a greenhouse, and I think kava would have a hard time potted by a window, especially a very young plant. I decided to try a closed terrarium. Terrariums are enclosed ecosystems with hands off water and nutrient exchange. Simply add a little water every three months (Fully sealed terrariums sometimes never need added water). This will have to be temporary because even with regular pruning, the kava will outgrow the terrarium pretty quickly. The hope is that at that point, the plant will be strong enough to survive being potted indoor.
I'm glad to be able to help customers find a better connection to what they're drinking. Our 10 year anniversary is in March 2021. How cool would it be to drink kava from the plant that everybody watched grow for 2 1/2 years?
Whatever happens, it will be a fun little experiment. I'd like to get a few more plants if these don't die. It would be super cool to have one from every kava growing region.
Anyway, check out the pics. The pot is the temporary home until I set up the greenhouse. The sphagnum is because I have one Mahakea cutting that I'm hoping will root.
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