Health & Fitness
Bring the Outdoors In: Terrariums!
This blog is about glass, miniature plants, ecosystems, gravel, and charcoal. Did you guess that you will get the "dirt" on terrariums? Read on!
Terrarium comes from the Latin word,"terra", meaning earth. A terrarium (plural terrariums or terraria) is a glass container in which plants are grown.
The glass should be clear, not tinted or colored, to maximize light. However, terraria should NEVER be placed in direct sunlight or they may heat up so much as to kill the plants. This "greenhouse effect" is what some scientists believe is happening to the earth and causing "global warming."
Place yours near a windowsill or artificial light for 4-6 hours daily. If terraria are covered or closed, they must be vented occasionally to release excess water vapor which can cause mold or fungal growth. An old aquarium can be used for a terrarium, but smaller glass containers are more desirable.
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A great place to shop for terrariums are antique stores like Treasure Island or and Dollar Stores. Old, large brandy snifters make excellent terraria. Fill your glass container with 1/2"-1" of gravel or colored aquarium gravel to ensure drainage. If water covers the gravel, you are overwatering---cut back!
Add 1/4"-1/2" of fine charcoal---this keeps the soil "sweet." Add a commercial soil mixture (potting soil is great) on top of this, 1"-3", depending on the depth of your container. Be sure to mound it in the middle or create a slope from front to back, again depending on the size of container.
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Remember your plants will grow, so small ones are best to add, cutting the roots or stems if necessary. Add tall plants to the back and shorter ones to the front, covering the bare spots with moss. Add color, like "polka dot plant" or plants with different shaped leaves or shades of green.
This blogger's favorite nurseries for plants and knowlegeable staff include , Bowood Farms Nursery, and Bayer's Greenhouses. Cornell Farm, 503-292-9895, has a live person to answer questions and a nice video at www.cornellfarms.com. Your terrarium can be accessorized for the upcoming holidays. Hobby stores or flea markets feature miniature Thanksgiving or Christmas decorations. Fertilize about once per month with a liquid plant fertilizer. Keep your fingernail scissors handy to cut back lush growth of leaves/stems. Plant a terrarium now and bring the outdoors in!