| I
have always had a fond spot for Terrariums. In early spring my mama
would get out a couple of boxes, and she and I would go for a walk.
Spoons in hand, we started "looking small" - examining
plants, mosses and tiny pinecones. When we found sweet little
plants we would dig them up with a spoon and plant them in fishbowls,
and see how long we could keep our tiny world alive. Sometimes
you pick out a small plant, and it starts growing out of bounds- you
need little scissors to keep it tamed. it's a wonderful way to
bring spring into your home of desktop! |
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More
information about
building a Terrarium:
Indoor
Winter Gardens
from HGTV
Names
and details about
Plants Suitable for Growing
in Terrariums and Dish Gardens
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- You
can use an open container, or one with a top, but they must be
made of clear glass. Closed containers can get pretty humid, so
you'll want moisture loving plants there. (Think swampy spots..)
Open containers will need to be watched closely, the opening will
usually determine how fast they dry out. They will need more
watering and misting than a closed container.
- Mama
and I found our plants in the woods, and kept our Terrariums in
shady spots. Try to keep similar light lovers in a jar. Make
your little world interesting, by contrasting leaf types, colors
and textures. Little sticks, acorns, and stones can make it
look like a miniature forest floor.
- Clean
your container well, and plan the bottom 1/4 for draining.
Put tiny rocks or pea gravel in the bottom, for drainage. Follow
with a ½-inch layer of horticultural charcoal to prevent
stinkiness. Cover with potting soil, and plant your plants,
create your world. I usually cover and dirt that shows with
forest moss, you can use sphagnum moss as well.
- Water lightly. Heavy
watering can make it wet and moldy. The terrarium rule of thumb
is: Better a little too dry, than too wet.
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