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THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT WATER HYACINTH BASKET

What is water hyacinth?

Origin

Water hyacinth is a species of aquatic plant with flowers, floating in the water, the scientific name is Eichhornia crassipes.

Water hyacinth originated from the Amazon swamp (South America). After being popular in the late 19th, it was introduced to Vietnam and grows wild in rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes.

Shape

  • The mature trunk has a height of 8-12 inches, the lower body is rough, and yellow-brown and the upper body grows in clumps.
  • Leaves are oval, 4-8 inches wide, glossy surface, concave, and veins are arched. The leaf sheaths are rolled together like petals to form a false trunk.
  • Water hyacinth flowers usually bloom in June-September. The plant grows in clusters at the petiole. Each inflorescence has 7-10 flowers surrounding the top. Flowers are purple or blue-violet, with yellow spots.
  • Water hyacinth roots are characterized by bunched roots. The roots of mature plants can be up to 39 inches long.

Feature

Water hyacinth has a fast growth rate, and it can double in size in 5-10 days. It reproduces very vigorously: each plant can produce thousands of seeds and survive for more than 28 years.

The water hyacinth body is light, spongy, and adapts to all climates. After sun exposure, water hyacinth has a natural warm yellow color, softer and more glossy. Therefore, water hyacinth is often used in handicraft products.

Color

For the art of making water hyacinth products, the basic principle is not to paint, but to keep its natural color. In case a richer color is desired, the water hyacinth material will be dyed before weaving. Although water hyacinth holds color better than seagrass, it will still fade over time.

From raw materials, water hyacinth can be applied to different weaving techniques to make handicrafts such as water hyacinth baskets, bags, trays, vases, etc. Vietnamese artisans use iron frames and raw materials for weaving handcrafted products at home.

Why we should choose a basket made from water hyacinth?

Sustainability

Water hyacinth is an environmentally friendly material, which is 100% biodegradable after the end of its use value. In the production process of water hyacinth baskets, harmful chemicals are significantly minimized because the main process is hand-woven.

For more information, in the past, when water hyacinths grew a lot, they obstructed water flow and traffic jams. Worse, the garbage was stagnant, polluting water sources. Today, when water hyacinth is used as a raw material for handicraft production, it has helped to overcome this situation significantly.

Diversity of products

Water hyacinth basket products are diverse in shape, size, and design. Quickly counted on Artera Home’s website, there are more than 16 different hyacinth basket designs: high, low, round, square, black, beige, water hyacinth basket with lid, etc.

The hyacinth water baskets have many different functions and high applicability:

  • Small water hyacinth basket: Usually used to hold small products such as makeup, medicines, gloves, bath soaps, shampoos, conditioners, linen, towels, laundry needs, fruits, craft supplies, and more.

Flexible displayed everywhere such as on shelves, cabinets, tables, and mantels.

Usually placed at the foot of the bed, next to the sofa, laundry room, or corner of the room for easy movement.

In addition, water hyacinths can be weaved in multiple methods for certain basket lines:

  • Organization & storage baskets: Herringbone weave, braided weave, rice nut weave: Suitable for storing items that are less absorbent, and need to be carefully preserved from dust, moisture, molds such as blankets, pillows, laundry, and more.
  • Decorative baskets: Goose eye weave, and open weave: Can be displayed as decorative and well-ventilated baskets for indoor plants, food, and more.

Convey traditional cultural values

Although water hyacinth weaving appeared later, water hyacinth baskets inherited the weaving lines from the past. Therefore, each one contains a culture in the very place it was born. In Vietnam, craft villages that produce water hyacinth baskets have many long-standing manners and customs with historical and cultural values, expressing the identity of a community.

It can be said that each basket product is a tribute to those cultural beauties, which are handed down from generation to generation in many forms.

Safimex company has supplying Dried water hyacinth rope with a good price for bulk order. If you are interested in this product, please feel free to contact us at info@safimex.com or click at https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Water-hyacinth-rope-for-handicraft-products_10000015625298.html?spm=a2747.product_manager.0.0.4f622c3chQWFX7

Source: Artera Home

SAFIMEX JOINT STOCK COMPANY

Head Office: 216/20a Duong Ba Trac Street, Ward 2, District 8, Hochiminh City, Vietnam.

Tel: (+84)-(28)-3636 2388 | (+84)-(28)-3636 2399 | Website: https://safimex.com/