FAQ

Yes we do. Please see the details below:

The majority of my workshops are run at Mappins Nursery. We all care about our customers health and well being and are being proactive with social distancing & sanitising.

We have a designated Workshop Space that we can comfortably seat a maximum of 18 Attendees allowing for 1.5m physical distancing and 1 person per 4m2 in accordance with Government direction.

There is alcohol based hand sanitizer available at multiple locations at the Entry point, sign on desk and on each table.

We have a check in system for contact tracing where every attendee needs to regiter with their Name, Address, Phone Number and Email Address

Plus all hard surfaces are cleaned regularly between workshops.

The majority of our workshops are run at Mappins Sharehouse, 242 Montague Road, West End. Please enter via the nursery and turn right to access the Sharehouse.

There is street parking on Montague Road and surrounding streets. Mappins provide limited parking in front of the Sharehouse.

Unfortunately No.

Due to COVID-19 we have had to move all of our Workshops upstairs into what was the Gallery Space to allow for social distancing. We do not have any access to a lift only stairs.

However with prior arrangement and with lots of notice and a small group we may be able to move things around to accommodate attendees that can’t tackle the stairs.

Yes we offer workshops for private events including corporate events, birthdays, bridal showers and private events. Depending on your group size and type of workshop we are flexible with teaching at another location. Please email us for more information in relation to designing your workshop, minimum numbers and costs.

We ask that you register and pay for your spot in the workshop online ahead of time. This allows us to ensure that we have enough materials for the workshop and enough room for everyone in the class.

We try to keep each workshop small so that we are able to help everyone individually. We typically have a maximum of 18 per class in accordance with Covid-19 giudelines. Please contact us via email if you have a larger group and we may be able to facilitate if given enough notice.

You are more than welcome to register your budding plant lover for a workshop. Workshops run for around 2 hours including discussion about plant varieties and care as well as the hands on experience. We don’t provide a specific age limit and leave it up to parents to decide if the workshop would be suitable. Children under 13 require a participating adult in attendance.

With the exception of the terrarium workshop where you need a closed glass vessel all of our workshops include your materials in the fee.

A selection of glass vessels can be purchased from Mappins prior to the workshop or if you email or text us directly we can make other suggestions as to where to purchase. Alternatively if you have an open vessel you could look to acquire a glass plate or bowl or a piece of cork cut to size to seal the jar.

Placement of your Terrarium

• Your Terrarium will thrive and be happy in a well-lit room away from direct sunlight. • Occasional rotation of your Terrarium will also help with even plant growth.

Keeping your plants healthy

• Remove any weeds, sick plants carefully as well as wilting parts of the plant, such as old leaves or flowers to avoid decay and decomposition
• Trim leaves touching the sides of the Terrarium to avoid rotting and decay
• Do not fertilise your Terrarium

Watering

Your closed terrarium is like a mini ecosystem. When created properly they do not require much watering. When to water your Terrarium can be determined by the appearance of condensation on the inside of the glass. Condensation on the inside of the glass occurs due to the humid environment created by the substrate layers and allows the Terrarium to water itself.

Over watering will cause the plants to rot and die. If you are unsure if your closed terrarium has enough water observe the condensation levels on the inside walls.

• If there is light condensation on the inside of the glass your terrarium does not require watering
• If the walls are completely fogged and dripping you will need to leave the lid off for a day and let some fresh air in and to allow some water to evaporate as it is too wet
• If you can see water within the drainage gravel at the base there is way too much water and you need to leave the lid off

Be careful that the plants do not become too dry because they will wilt.

When you do add water, do so in small amounts at a time, since there is no place for the surplus water to drain. It’s best to water with a misting spray bottle. Spray the Terrarium only a few times and then replace the lid and observe the condensation levels on the glass for another day. It is easier to manage a Terrarium by adding a little bit of moisture than to over water.

It’s hard to know exactly without seeing your plant, but the likelihood is that there is an imbalance of light, water and air. Send us a photo via email with a detailed description of available light it has been receiving and how much water you have been giving it and we will try to help you troubleshoot.

Yes we will discuss maintenance required for each of your creations at the end of our workshop. If you require further information please contact us via email and we can email you some care instructions.

No! Most of the plants that we use in our workshops are tropical indoor plants that require low-bright indirect light

We will discuss watering at the end of our workshop. The amount of water required will be dependant upon time of year and which plants we used during our workshop. As a general rule most of the tropical plants we use require watering 2-3 times per week in summer and less in winter dependant on the variety. In general if the leaves are wilted or crispy brown they will have been under watered. If the leaves are mushy and lots of yellow you are watering too much. You need to be careful not to overwater to avoid root rot.

Kokedama (Moss Ball) Care Instructions

Kokedama are a form of Japanese form of bonsai. They are commonly referred to as Moss Balls. “Koke” = moss “dama” = ball. Kokedama are made from a special mixture of soils that will sustain it with a small amount of maintenance.

Caring for your Kokedama:

The weight of your kokedama is a good indicator of whether your plant requires water. If you lift your ball in your hand and it feels light, watering is needed.

Watering

Immerse the ball in a sink or bucket filled with water. Place your ball in the water plant side up and submerge. If your ball is very dry it will float on the surface. Ideally your kokedmama should absorb enough water to saturate the moss and sink. Depending on how dry your ball is this can take anywhere from 10-30 minutes. Once your kokedma is saturated remove the ball and then drain.

Frequency of watering is dependant on time of year and living conditions eg. air conditioning or heating.  In winter aim to water approximately once a week. During summer months or in constant air conditioning this may need to be done more regularly. As noted above you can tell if your kokedama requires more watering by observing the sphagnum moss surrounding your plant. As the moss dries it becomes crispy and the ball becomes lighter indicating that your ball requires a drink. Light misting of your kokedama between watering isn’t essential but can help to keep your plants happy.

If you are a busy person or travelling for a period of time you can leave your kokedama in a saucer of water to draw up it’s own moisture. I find that the saucer from under a pot works well in this regard

Feeding

Feeding your kokedama at least once every season will also keep your kokedama happy. This can be done one of 2 ways. The easiest way is to add some liquid fertilizer to the water as per the packet instructions and immerse your ball. The second method is to poke some holes through your sphagnum moss and put some osmocote beads inside the ball.

Rebinding your Kokedama

MJC Botanical use natural Jute twine to wrap our kokedama. Over time all natural fibres will break down with water and light. As the twine breaks down you will need to rewrap your ball. This is best done when your kokedama is wet. You can also add a layer of fresh moist spagnum moss on top of your ball at this time if required.

Kokedama can be kept in indirect filtered light indoors or in your garden. Please avoid direct sunlight.

Living Wreath Care Instructions

Our living wreaths are created using similar techniques to kokedama (a form of Japanese form of bonsai). We bind the plants root system to the wreath by first wrapping the roots in sphagnum moss and then tie them on using jute twine.

The weight of your wreath is a good indicator of whether it requires water. If you lift your wreath in your hand and it feels light, watering is needed.

Watering

Immerse the wreath in a sink or bucket filled with water. Place your wreath in the water plant side up and submerge. Your wreath will float on the surface. Ideally your wreath should absorb enough water to saturate the moss. Depending on how dry your wreath is this can take anywhere from 10-30 minutes. Once your wreath is saturated remove and drain.

Frequency of watering is dependant on time of year and living conditions eg. air conditioning or heating.  In winter aim to water approximately once a week. During summer months or in constant air conditioning this may need to be done more regularly. As noted above you can tell if your wreath requires more watering by observing the sphagnum moss on your wreath. As the moss dries it becomes crispy and the wreath becomes lighter indicating that it requires a drink. Light misting of your wreath between watering isn’t essential but can help to keep your plants happy.

Feeding

Feeding your wreath at least once every season will also keep it happy and your plants healthy. This can be done one of 2 ways. The easiest way is to add some liquid fertilizer to the water as per the packet instructions and immerse your wreath. The second method is to poke some holes through your sphagnum moss and place some osmocote beads inside.

Rebinding your Wreath

MJC Botanical use natural Jute twine to bind our wreaths. Over time all natural fibres will break down with water and light. As the twine breaks down you may need to rebind some of the plants onto your wreath. This is best done when your wreath is wet. You can also add a layer of fresh moist spagnum moss to some plants at this time if required.

Wreaths can be kept in indirect filtered light indoors or in your garden. Please avoid direct sunlight.

Yes we do! They are available in any denomination for any workshop and can be emailed directly to you.

When you receive a gift certificate simply contact us via email in relation to the workshop and date you would like to participate in so that we can book you in. All we require is your name, email, phone number and gift certificate number

I often get asked for the recipe for my Lemon Slice so here goes for anyone who would like to make it at home. This recipe is for a Thermomix soil you don’t have one of these you will just need to adapt it a little bit…. Happy Baking – Melissa x

LEMON SLICE – THERMOMIX ® RECIPE

INGREDIENTS

Base

• 1 pack Arnotts Marie Biscuits
• 120 grams Butter
• 80 grams Coconut
• 200 grams Condensed Milk
• 1 Lemon

Icing

• 240 grams Icing Sugar
• 60 grams Butter
• Lemon Juice
• Extra Coconut

METHOD

Base

1. Chop Lemon rind for 15-20 seconds on Speed 9
2. Add biscuits and crush on Speed 8 for 5 seconds.
3. Add coconut and mix on Speed 4 for 5 seconds
4. Set aside dry mixture.
5. Add butter to bowl and melt on 60 degrees for 2 minutes.
6. Add condensed milk and the juice of half a lemon.
7. Add dry mixture back to bowl with butter mixture and mix on Speed 4 for 10 seconds using the spatula to assist.
8. Spread into lined slice tin and set in fridge.
9. Icing – mix icing sugar, butter and lemon juice in bowl on speed 4 for approx 30 seconds.
10. Spread over cooled slice and sprinkle over extra coconut.