Kinda Sorta Zen

Bird House Blog

2006-08-15T13:38:00.000-07:00

Hens & Chicks
LIVING BIRD HOUSE
~Sempervivium~

History -
During the invasion and occupation of the British Isles and Netherlands by the Roman armies. The homes of local residents,roofs were
covered with "Hens & Chicks" to help keep the roofs water tight and well as to ward off evil spirits.

Too bad it didn't help keep away invading Romans!

Impressed by the hardiness, prolific growth and life span of these plants the Roman invaders in honor of the plants.

Gave them the Latin name: "Sempervivum" , meaning: long life, long living.

~ Easy care information & helpful tips ~

What to expect - Chicks and hens will continue to produce "pups" and give a crowded over grown look to the roof spilling over the edges. Sedums will continue to grow well below the house, trim as needed for desired look. "Chicks & hens" will continue grow ( fill in ) to create a look that will become more beautiful and unique.

Easy Care - Bird houses can be enjoyed indoor or outdoor, year round. As leaves naturally dry at base, remove by plucking out with fingers or tweezers for a more finished look. Feel free to harvest "chicks" to re-populate living bird house planter or use to start a new planter. Or for your garden as well as to share with a friend.

Indoor - Light - Direct sun, sunny to bright location
Water - Take Living Bird House planter,to sink and spray with kitchen nozzle. Or place in shower for 3 to 5 min. Tepid water, do not use full force of spray

Outdoor - Can be in full sun to temperatures of 80.F, above 80.F then allow to be in AM morning cooler sun. Or mid-day afternoon partial shade to full shade. As temperatures rise, increase frequency of waterings.

My bird house enjoys morning AM sun till about 10. Then is shaded for the remainder of the day and does very well.

Winter hardy to 15.F, if temps fall below enjoy as indoor planter. Until temps. Stabilize above 15.F

Water -Thoroughly soak when watering, allow planter to dry, yet still moist between watering's ~ not dry out ! Use of a moisture meter is recommended, can be found at Fred Myer, Wal Mart or plant stores, priced at about $3.50
Remember, water is stored in the leaves, these plants are very similar to cacti. - Misting will not replace a good watering !!

Bugs & Things From time to time you will find bugs, earthworms and such on the plants / in the soil. To date I have not seen any adverse effects from there presence. I have no doubt that they are a benefit as they fed off of the dead leafs and such.

Which in turn helps the soil...kind a circle of life thing going on. I just let them stay...most of what I see is rollie~pollie bugs and to date there has never been a problem.

Feeding - Suggest once a month (spring / summer) with liquid food such as Miracle Grow, once every 3 month (fall / winter) We use Miracle Grow & Super Thrive with lots of success .

Introduce Living Bird House planter to outside winter temperatures gradually, if they have been in a "indoor climate" before taking them outside.

Best to keep indoors during winter for added beauty and growth place in a bright ~ sunny location
ase 12" by 5.5" Bird house 6.5" by 7" by 9" tall

Living Bird Houses ship very well, contact us about shipping rates to you area

w ww.KindaSortaZen.com
>>>>>>>e-mail<<<<<<<<

kindasortazen@yahoo.com/

Contact us at: 208.713.9147

Contact / Support :phone or e-mail at any time

208 .713 .9147 / MST
Or for more info and inquiry on custom work. www.KindaSortaZen.com
e-mail:kindasortazen@yahoo.com

Bird house info & pictures : www.BirdHouseBlog.blogspot.com

Also for more plant info go to : www.KindaSortaZenDoorKnockers.blogspot.com

ALL IMAGES AND CONTENT PROPERTY OF:
KINDA SORT ZEN ~ 2006 / 2008

2006-08-07T20:33:00.000-07:00

Pictured above - Echeveria a soft succelunt surrounded by assortment of "Hens & Chicks" ( sempervivum) Engraved in to the stone is a American Indian symbol of "eternity" with a iron oxide inlay. This planter can be both a indoor or outdoor planter. Winter hardy to 30F ~
recommend to bring indoors at temperatures 30F and under. Enjoy indoors during colder months in a sunny to bright location. Light requirements: High / Water requirements: Low

The picture to the right shows a Sago Palm nestled at the base is a Calcareum with two Rose Queens on each side.
Note: Living Bird Houses in the back.

By most standards this was a beefy planter, ( above center ) weighing in at about 110 pounds.

This planter has a natural cradle in the top center of the stone. A large Rose Queen on the upper right ridge, left side a flowering mum. Centered with a Elfin Thyme cascading over the front face.

On the lower left face a Heuffelii ~Giuseppi Spiny

2006-08-07T20:08:00.000-07:00

The second picture is of a planter that is centered with flowering Elfin Thyme, which will continue to grow and cascade over each side of the stone.

Towards the front is a Rose Queen. Upper right is a Burgundy tipped Calcareum. Some what hidden in the background is a interesting horizontally opposed Heuffelii
Size: approximately 6" length by 6" wide. Weight: approximate 10 pounds

2006-08-07T19:26:00.000-07:00

The first picture is a bonsai flowering Japanese cherry tree, about 7 years old, at the base is Irish moss. Of the 1000's of planters I have created to date this still stands as one of the most stunning pieces.

It was not till after it was gone and looking at the pictures did I realize, just how etherical it was. The picture does not even come close to how beautiful it was. It wasn't planned that way, it came together on it's own.

By comparison it is small to most of what is created, about 8" tall and 5" wide weighing somewhere at 12~14 pounds

2006-08-07T19:13:00.000-07:00

2006-08-07T07:19:00.000-07:00

The primary reason for this blog is for more updated information, product update / product development and pictures of our most recent creations

Feel free to contact via phone or e-mail, we can be reached at the following: 208~713.9147/ MST or e-mail info@KindaSortaZen.com

Visit it us on the web at : www.KindaSortaZen.com to see what we create
Currently our work can be seen at the Capitol City Farmers Market
April 15th ~Oct 28 2006 Downtown Boise, Idaho. Located on 8th Street between Bannock and Grove.

Detailed information visit:www.capitalcitypublicmarket.com/vendors.php

Comments, commentary or complaints are welcomed