Abstract: A method of cultivating a plant is disclosed which meets certain aesthetic and other requirements. A plant (8) is stripped of any unwanted growth from its stem (9) leaving the upper foliage (10) in place. The thus stripped stem (9) is then passed through the full length slot (2) of a first sleeve (1) to retain the stem (9) within the sleeve (1). A hollow frusto-conical retainer (3) is then positioned with its smaller end in communication with the upper end of the sleeve (1), the upper foliage (10) being passed through a slot (4) to be encapsulated within the retainer (3). The retainer (3) is then rotated to misalign the respective slots (2), (4). The sleeve (1) and retainer (3) are then moved upwards until the upper foliage (10) is also encapsulated within the first sleeve (1). The retainer (3) is then removed and a wire (11) is attached to the upper end of the sleeve (1). A second sleeve (5) is then slid over the wire (11) and first sleeve (1).