Making your own terrarium is a great way to bring the outdoors into your home. A terrarium is far better than a potted plant because it gives you the ability to create an entire natural environment that will grow together versus just one plant in a container. In an enclosed terrarium you can combine several compatible plants and create a miniature landscape all in a small dish to grow on your windowsill. Better yet a terrarium is virtually self sufficient requiring very little care once you have created it and found somewhere for it to rest.
What You Need
The most important piece of your terrarium is a clear container that will hold the entire terrarium. You can search for a unique piece or use large vases, bowls, aquariums, even a small saucer and a cake stand lid. Once you have the container you need to choose suitable plants that will not outgrow the container too rapidly and can coexist with each other. Ideal plants should be slow growers and compact in structure, try looking for miniatures. Also remember to select a variety of plants with one larger plant to be the focal, moss to provide a base, a creeper or plant with vines and low growing plants. If you really want your terrarium to resemble a garden scene try finding small pieces of wood and stones to resemble logs and boulders or other interesting pieces to add. For the foundation of the terrarium you will need small aquarium rocks, pea gravel, or pebbles, charcoal, sphagnum moss, and potting mix.
What You Do
Wash the terrarium container well with clean hot water and dry thoroughly. Add the first layer of Aquarium rocks or pebbles to the bottom of the terrarium about an inch deep. Next add a thin layer of the charcoal, the best charcoal for this is the activated charcoal that you would add to an aquarium. For the third layer of the terrarium you will need to add a thin layer of sphagnum moss do not pat this down too much as it is there to keep the soil from being lost in the layers of drainage we made. Finally add a layer of potting soil sufficient enough to cover the roots of your plants.
What You Need
The most important piece of your terrarium is a clear container that will hold the entire terrarium. You can search for a unique piece or use large vases, bowls, aquariums, even a small saucer and a cake stand lid. Once you have the container you need to choose suitable plants that will not outgrow the container too rapidly and can coexist with each other. Ideal plants should be slow growers and compact in structure, try looking for miniatures. Also remember to select a variety of plants with one larger plant to be the focal, moss to provide a base, a creeper or plant with vines and low growing plants. If you really want your terrarium to resemble a garden scene try finding small pieces of wood and stones to resemble logs and boulders or other interesting pieces to add. For the foundation of the terrarium you will need small aquarium rocks, pea gravel, or pebbles, charcoal, sphagnum moss, and potting mix.
What You Do
Wash the terrarium container well with clean hot water and dry thoroughly. Add the first layer of Aquarium rocks or pebbles to the bottom of the terrarium about an inch deep. Next add a thin layer of the charcoal, the best charcoal for this is the activated charcoal that you would add to an aquarium. For the third layer of the terrarium you will need to add a thin layer of sphagnum moss do not pat this down too much as it is there to keep the soil from being lost in the layers of drainage we made. Finally add a layer of potting soil sufficient enough to cover the roots of your plants.
Comments
krystal
(Guest)
(Guest)
08/14/2008
pretty good
krystal
(Guest)
(Guest)
08/14/2008
pretty good
krystal
(Guest)
(Guest)
08/14/2008
pretty good
These always look so pretty.
Comments 1 - 4 (of 4)
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