A simple topiary frametrains vine into various physical body . Frame - style topiary is used mainly for potted plant , whether grow indoors or outdoors . When planning your topiary , keep in mind that the larger the frame , the longer it can take for the vine to cover it entirely . big frame also ask declamatory pots to anchor the weight of the top - heavy topiary .
Wire Basics
galvanise wire or a wire that does n’t rust works well in the moist surround of a topiary . Choose telegram that bow swimmingly but is strong enough to retain its shape under the weight of a growing plant . Thinner galvanized or bull conducting wire for holding the frame together is also necessary . If the end up shape requires more financial support , you may also thread the thin wires across the shape and after train the works across this woven framework to sate in the form . Two - dimensional frames are best suited to modest cast and pots , while three - dimensional topiaries in big mint bid more musical accompaniment for big or heavy design .
Simple Frames
A simple two - dimensional bod requires grave telegram about the same heaviness as a coat hanger . Bend the wire into the desired shape using pliers , start out 6 to 10 inches in from one goal of the telegram . This surplus distance will become the stake for the topiary skeletal system . Wear gloves to protect your handwriting from the sharp telegram terminate . simple-minded shapes with curve are better fit for beginners , such as circles , hearts or ovals . Although a straight or diamond shape is also simple , the acuate angles wo n’t be visible once the plant hatch the frame . After completing the shape , bend the excess wire at a correct slant to the shape to produce a interest , and then wrap several inches of conducting wire at the other end around the stake to close off the shape . cut down off any remaining wire with wire cutters .
Life in 3-D
rather of a single wire , use chicken wire to shape a three - dimensional flesh . Although you may mould the wire into form manually , wrap up the wire around an target generate it a more uniform shape . For example , make an eyeball by envelop a beach musket ball with the poulet wire , or wrap wire around a florist cone to create a cone figure , and then hit the objective and wire the orifice in the chicken wire frame shut . praxis shaping the telegram by first creating simple form , such as sphere . you may make several unproblematic shapes , including spheres , cone and piston chamber , and then cable them together to make a more complicated shape ; the most elaborate topiary macrocosm are often just combination of simple shapes . After form the conducting wire as desired , infix a metal or wooden bet into the skeletal system and conducting wire it firmly in property . After completing the canonic frame , stuff it with sphagnum moss so it hold its material body . The moss also supply the planting spiritualist . Wrap monofilament nylon twine around the stuff frame to hold the stuffing in place , and then anchor the topiary frame in the pot .
Putting It All Together
A heavy clay stool with a bottom drain jam can support the top - heavy weight of the topiary without fall over . unify equal constituent sand and pot soil and fill the pot halfway . The sand allows for drain while adding more weight unit to keep the batch from tipping . After introduce the stakes for the topiary soma , finish filling the grass and compact the soil around the frame stand to anchorman it firmly in place . When embed , select quick - growing vine such as ivy ( Hedera helix ) , which grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant life hardiness zone 4 through 9 and has invasive propensity in some positioning , or sneak Ficus carica ( Ficus pumila ) , hardy in USDA zones 9 through 11 .
References
Related
