Terrariums are great for people on the go because they are so easy to maintain. They are self-contained, and they require very little care. Terrariums can be designed with simple materials such as clear plastic containers, or they can be designed in elaborate containers made from stained glass. Any clear, watertight container is sufficient for a terrarium.
Once you have chosen a container for your terrarium, it's time to choose the plants you will be using. Start with plants that are small and slow growing. When deciding the number of plants you need, keep in mind your plants should be spaced to allow room for growth.
Begin building your terrarium by putting approximately one inch of gravel in the bottom of the container. On top of the gravel, spread a thin layer of activated charcoal. Mix together equal parts of sterile potting soil and vermiculite. this will help lighten the potting soil and improve drainage. Approximately three to four inches of potting mixture is sufficient for the top layer. Before planting, arrange your plants on top of the soil to see where they look the best. A spoon makes a great tool for digging in small spaces. Plant your selections just as you would in any container, by digging small holes and tamping down the soil around them. When you are finished planting, you need to water your plants.
Cover your terrarium with a glass or clear plastic lid. Take the lid off for several hours every couple of days to allow for air exchange and evaporation.
Maintaining your terrarium is simple since neglect is the best care you can give. Your finished terrarium will not need additional watering for a few weeks. A light misting every couple of weeks is sufficient between times of regular watering. The biggest mistake people can make with a terrarium is overwatering. If condensation builds up on the inside, it is probably due to overwatering and you can temporarily remove the lid. It is not necessary to fertilize your plants. The soil contains enough nutrients to sustain them. Fertilizing would promote growth and in a terrarium you want your plants to remain small and manageable. Some plants will grow faster than others and you may eventually need to thin them out. You can encourage the plants to fill out by pinching off some of the new growth. Once your terrarium is set up, it will begin taking care of itselt. Find a location that that gets indirect sunlight. Direct sunlight can make conditions too warm for your plants.
Overview
Terrariums are self-contained gardens that are very easy to maintain.
They require very little care.
We actually place several layers of materials in the container to help it be
self-contained. The term "self-contained" means that they have everything they need to survive with little additional help from us.
Ingredients for a terrarium and why
1. Gravel for the bottom of the container - assists in drainage since there are no holes in the bottom of the container, like there are in pots.
2. Activated Charcoal - absorbs moisture and odors.
3. Potting soil and vermiculite - soil has the necessary nutrients to grow the plants (sterilized to kill any pre-existing bacteria) and vermiculite adds space to improve drainage and keep the soil from becoming compacted.
4. Plants that are slow growers or never get very large.
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A completely enclosed terrarium requires little or no watering. If it is not totally enclosed, you may have to water on a weekly or monthly basis (more often for completely open terrariums or dish gardens). The addition of water only becomes necessary if no condensation accumulates on the glass. When water is indeed needed, it should only be added a small amount at a time, since there is no place for the surplus water to run off. (Over watering increases the danger of fungus or mold). Recheck the next day, and if no condensation has appeared, more water may be added.
When in doubt, always water less. Watch carefully so that plants do not become too dry and wilt. Generally, terrariums should not need fertilizing, but if the plants start to appear malnourished, you may feed them using a very weak mixture (1/4 strength) of an all purpose house plant food. Occasionally, it may become necessary to prune or to replace a dead plant. Diseased plants should be removed immediately. Although confined plants tend to grow very slowly, any plant that has outgrown its environment should be replaced.
