Planter made by Shanthini
Written by Pavithra Murugan
A sky planter is a unique way to get children interested in gardening. While children will be familiar with gardening in a normal pot, its common nature might not fascinate them as much. But since children will be growing a plant upside-down in a sky planter, this new technique will capture their attention and get them into exploring gardening. In this activity, children will make a planter which can be used to grow plants in a unique, inverted position.
Jump to Instructions
Time Required:
60 minutes
Materials Required:
A plastic bowl
Rope
Bamboo skewer
Foam sheet
Coconut coir
Soil
Manure
Stem cutting of a climber plant
Concept(s) Taught:
Basics of plant science
Skill(s) Focussed:
Questioning | Divergent thinking
Aligned Profession(s):
Agriculture | Botany
Instructions to be given to students:
Step 0:
Understand how saplings are normally planted. Gather all the materials required to make the planter.
Step 1:
Pierce two holes on the bottom of the bowl. Ensure that these holes are not too small, as the plants will be watered through these holes. Now, pierce 4 holes on the wall of the bowl, at equal distances from each other (each pair of holes should be facing one another).
Step 2:
Insert the rope through one of the holes at the bottom of the cup and take it out through the other hole.
Step 3:
Add some coconut coir into the bowl to ensure that it absorbs the water.
Step 4:
Add some soil mixed with manure into the bowl.
Step 5:
Take a cutting of any climber plant (like money plant).
Step 6:
Plant the stem well into the soil.
Step 7:
Cut the foam sheet to fit the size and shape of the bowl and place it such that it covers the soil.
Step 8:
Insert the bamboo skewers to join the opposite holes on the wall of the bowl such that it forms a + symbol as shown in the picture.
Step 9:
You can now hang the sky hanger using the rope and enjoy the view of this gravity-defying plant!
Special Instructions for Teachers:
Imparting knowledge about climbers:
Ask kids to explore the common characteristics of climber plants, how to take care of climbers, some examples, etc.
Exploring unique planting ideas:
Motivate students to try other unique methods of gardening. For example, you can set a challenge for them to grow a plant without soil, thereby introducing them to the concept of hydroponics. Additionally, children can also explore which other types of plants can be planted in a sky planter.
Upcycling plastic:
Explain the importance of reusing plastic containers instead of discarding them, and suggest this activity as an example of the various methods to upcycle them.
Have fun making and share the works of your students with the hashtag #projectprayogshala to get featured!