Emily Carter
If you're looking for a fun DIY project to add some greenery to your home or garden, why not try creating a stunning vertical succulent garden using a 12 by 12 chicken wire shadowbox? This unique project is a great way to display your succulents and create a living piece of art that can be hung indoors or outdoors. With just a few simple materials and steps, you can transform a thrift store picture frame into a beautiful planter that showcases the beauty of succulents. So, get ready to roll up your sleeves and create your very own succulent masterpiece!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Shadow box (12" x 12" x 1" deep), chicken wire, landscaping plastic, cactus soil, dried moss, succulent clippings, pliers, wire cutters, work gloves, staple gun, staples, wood sealer, brush or rag |
| Method | Seal the shadow box with wood sealer; cut and staple landscaping plastic to fit the box; fill the box with cactus soil and a layer of dried floral moss; cut and staple chicken wire to fit the opening of the box, bending it down into the box and tucking it into the moss; poke holes in the moss/soil and plant the succulents |
| Additional Tips | Use a variety of succulents with flat leaves and stems so they don't protrude; keep the planter on a flat surface for a couple of weeks to allow the succulents to root before hanging; use sphagnum moss to keep the succulents fresh; use wire mesh to keep the soil in place |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Seal your shadow box
Sealing your shadow box is an important step in the process of creating a long-lasting display for your cherished items. Here is a detailed guide on how to seal your shadow box:
Prepare the Materials
Before you begin sealing your shadow box, it's important to gather the necessary materials. You will need a wood sealer, such as a polyurethane wipe-on sealer. You can also use wood glue or a hot glue gun for sealing certain parts of the shadow box. Additionally, if you plan to stain your box before sealing it, you will need to choose a suitable stain or paint that complements your project.
Seal the Surfaces
According to the instructions on your chosen wood sealer, apply a coat of the sealer to all surfaces of your shadow box, even the ones that will be covered up later. For example, the DIY in PDX website recommends using a polyurethane wipe-on sealer and applying three coats to every surface. This step will help protect your shadow box from the elements, especially if it is intended for outdoor use.
Secure the Backing Board
If your project involves attaching items to a backing board, now is the time to do so. You can use glue or adhesive tape to secure your items to the backing board. This step ensures that your items are firmly in place before you enclose them within the shadow box.
Finalize the Enclosure
Once your items are secured to the backing board, you can finalize the enclosure of your shadow box. If you prefer a completely sealed shadow box, attach the front of your box securely. You can use wood glue or hot glue to seal the picture frame onto the shadow box. On the other hand, if you want the option to open your shadow box and change the displayed items, consider using small hinges instead of sealing it shut.
Display and Enjoy
After sealing and enclosing your shadow box, it is ready to be displayed and enjoyed! Consider hanging it on a wall or placing it on a bookshelf to showcase your cherished memorabilia or succulent garden. Remember to handle your sealed shadow box with care to ensure the longevity of your creation.
How to Make Chicken Stock: To Add, or Not to Add Water?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Prepare the box with plastic and soil
To prepare a 12 by 12 chicken wire shadowbox for succulents, you will need a few things. These include a 12" x 12" shadowbox with chicken wire, landscaping plastic, cactus soil or succulent soil mix, dried floral moss, wire cutters, gloves, and a staple gun with staples.
First, cut a piece of landscaping plastic to fit your box, leaving a few inches extra. For a 12 by 12 box, cut the plastic to be about 15 by 15 inches. Fold the top edges of the plastic a couple of times, and staple it to the interior of the box along the top edge, using plenty of staples. When you get to the corners, fold the plastic to form a corner. This will prevent the box from getting wet and mouldy.
Next, fill the box with cactus or succulent soil mix. You can buy a pre-made mix or create your own by mixing an organic substance (peat moss, coir, or compost) with an inorganic matter (perlite, pumice, chicken grit, or crushed granite). If you are using a wooden box, fill it halfway with soil to ensure good water drainage. You can also add a half-inch thick layer of dried floral moss on top of the soil.
Reheating Chicken: Achieving Crispiness in Simple Steps
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cut and secure the chicken wire
Chicken wire is a lightweight, malleable mesh that needs to be handled carefully to keep its original shape. When cutting chicken wire, it is important to wear protective clothing, including long sleeves, working pants, protective gloves, and safety glasses. The tool you use to cut the wire will depend on the gauge of the netting. For lightweight chicken wire mesh, you can use scissors to cut through the wire. Be sure to snap the strands carefully, lifting up the separated part to avoid injury.
For stronger gauge netting, wire cutters are a good option. With wire cutters, you will need to snap the strands individually as you go, pulling the separated part away with one hand to avoid injury. You can also use tin snips, which can cut through chicken wire up to 1.2mm in thickness. Tin snips have a longer cutting edge, allowing you to snap multiple strands of wire at once, but be sure to keep a straight line as you cut. If you need to cut a lot of wire, an angle grinder can be a quicker option, although it may be overkill.
When creating your chicken wire shadowbox succulent planter, you will need to cut the chicken wire to fit the frame. You can secure the chicken wire to the frame using staples and a staple gun. Place the chicken wire on top of the soil, stapling it onto the frame. You may need to cut a few wires for larger succulents with bigger roots. It is recommended to use a 1/2-inch chicken wire grid, which is small enough to hold in potting soil but large enough to accommodate stems.
Once the chicken wire is secured, you can begin planting your succulents. Push the stem of each succulent through the mesh, using the tip of a pencil or a chopstick to create a hole in the soil. Start with the larger plants first, planting them close together. Don't worry about filling every square of the chicken wire, as the succulents will grow to close any gaps.
Chikungunya Symptoms: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Plant the succulents
Now it's time to plant the succulents! If you're harvesting them from outdoors, try to pull up as much of the roots as possible. You can also buy succulents at most home and garden stores.
First, lay out your succulent cuttings in the frame according to the design you want. You can use a pencil or chopstick to create a hole in the soil for the stem of each succulent. Push the stem through the mesh, and allow the leaf rosette to rest on top of the wire grid. Tuck in the larger plants first, then plant the rest as closely as the grid allows. Don't worry about filling every square of the chicken wire—as the succulents grow, they will close any gaps.
After you've planted your design, keep the succulent wall art flat and out of direct sunlight for one to two weeks to allow the stems to form roots. For additional security, support the stems with floral pins or craft clips. Then, gradually increase the light levels to total sun exposure. Don't water the plants for the first two weeks.
Quickly Reheating Chicken in an Air Fryer
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Display your succulent wall art
Now that you've created your chicken wire shadowbox succulent planter, it's time to display your living succulent wall art! Here are some ideas and instructions for displaying your beautiful creation:
Choose a Location
Decide where you want to display your succulent wall art. It can be hung indoors or outdoors, on a wall that receives partial sunlight. Succulents require minimal watering and sunlight, making them ideal for vertical gardens. If you plan to hang it outdoors, ensure the frame has been painted with outdoor paint for protection against the weather.
Hanging Options
You can hang your succulent wall art on a wall using sturdy picture hooks. If you're hanging it outdoors, make sure to use hooks that can withstand the elements. Alternatively, you can set the planter on a table or shelf, propped against a wall. This option is ideal if you want to change the display's location frequently.
Displaying Tips
When displaying your succulent wall art, consider the following:
- Plant arrangement—Arrange the succulents in a way that showcases their variety of shapes and colours. Succulents come in many varieties, so you can easily create a unique design.
- Lighting—Gradually increase the light levels after planting. Succulents don't require full sun exposure and can thrive with partial sunlight.
- Watering—Succulents require minimal watering. Make sure to allow the planter to drain properly to avoid waterlogging the roots.
- Maintenance—Remove dead leaves and flowers from the succulents to encourage new growth and maintain the aesthetics of your wall art.
Additional Customisation
You can further customise your succulent wall art by adding decorations to the frame. Paint or stain the frame to match your decor, or add accessories like a collectible metal sign or earrings, as some creative individuals have done with their chicken wire shadowboxes.
Displaying your succulent wall art is a fun way to bring nature into your home or outdoor space. Enjoy the beauty of your living artwork and the charm it adds to your surroundings!
Chicken McGriddle: Carb Count and Nutritional Facts
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
You will need chicken wire, landscaping plastic, cactus soil, dried moss, succulent clippings, pliers, wire cutters, work gloves, a staple gun, staples, wood sealer, and a shadow box.
First, seal your shadow box according to the instructions on your wood sealer. Cut a piece of landscaping plastic to fit your box, plus a few inches extra. Staple the plastic to the interior of the box along the top edge, and fold the plastic at the corners. Fill the box with cactus soil, then add a half-inch-thick layer of dried floral moss on top. Cut the chicken wire to fit the opening of the box, plus about 1/2 to 1 inch extra. Bend the extra chicken wire so that it protrudes down into the box and staple it in place. Poke holes in the moss and soil, and start planting your succulents.
After planting, keep the planter flat and out of direct sunlight for a week or two to allow the stems to form roots. Gradually increase the light levels to total sun exposure. Don't water the succulents for the first two weeks.
