GardenHow to create a terrarium?

December 15, 2020by Laurianne Gandy0
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It's been the trend for some time: these pretty terrariums, real miniature gardens, which you can enjoy at home.

Easily transportable and ideal for those who do not have a green thumb, they are very simple to make. As a gift for a loved one or simply for yourself, they will fit perfectly in your home.

 

Hardware

- A glass jar

- One or more small plants

- Terreau

- Small pebbles, gravel type

- Activated carbon

 

 

Choice of plant

Select plants that are small enough for your glass container. You can choose one or more small ones. If you choose more than one, make sure that they are compatible with each other, that they each have enough space and that they have the same characteristics (soil and watering).

Plants that can tolerate moisture well will be most likely to thrive in your terrarium. Although cacti and succulents are not the most moisture loving plants, you can still consider using them by placing them in a glass container with an opening.

 

    • Plants to be preferred for closed and humid terrariums :

- Mosses: Leucobryum glaucum, Riccia fluitans, Vesicularia reticulata, Marchantiophyta sp...

- Ferns: Davallia, Asplenium, Selaginella martensii, Nephrolepsis, Athyrium...

- Epiphytes: Tillandsia, Bromeliads, Aechmea, orchids...

- Plants with decorative foliage: Peperomia prostata, Pilea glauca, Muehlenbeckia complexa, Soleirolia soleirolii, Fittonia, Begonias...

- Carnivorous plants: Drosera, Nepenthes, Utriculars, Pinguicula...

 

    • Plants to be preferred for open terrariums:

- Succulent plants : Haworthia

- Pebble plants

- Cactus: Echinopsis, Mammillaria, Gymnocalycium.

 

 

Choice of pot

Choose a glass pot, transparent and deep enough for your plants to spread their roots.

You can opt for a fish jar, a small aquarium, a bottle, a glass bell, a vase, a food jar... there are plenty of possibilities, as long as the container you choose has a large enough opening to water, maintain your plants and renew the ambient air.

 

 

Terrarium construction

Step 1: For a thickness of 2 - 3 centimetres, cover the bottom of your terrarium with a layer of small stones or pebbles.

This first layer will be used as a drain for the terrarium.

 

Step 2: Add a very thin layer of activated carbon.

Activated carbon will keep the soil fresh and prevent the development of bacteria.

 

Step 3: Add a layer of soil 5 to 10 centimetres thick, depending on the shape of your terrarium, and flatten.

There must be enough soil for the plants to take root. If you choose cacti or succulent plants, you can choose specialized mixtures.

 

Step 4: Add your plants.

Start by planting your largest plant first. Remove the plant from its container and prune the roots as you would when repotting a plant.

Make a hole in the ground big enough to accommodate the roots of your plant.

Place the plant in the soil.

 

Step 5: When your plants are placed in your glass container, you can add a layer of pebbles.

To personalize your terrarium, you can also choose to add small objects (shells, painted pebbles).

 

 

Maintenance of your terrarium

- Place your terrarium close to a light source, but not in direct contact with the sun's rays. This could increase the temperature inside the terrarium.

- Remember to water it from time to time, especially when the soil feels dry.

- Keep your terrarium free from temperature fluctuations. Keep it away from all heat sources such as radiators, fireplaces or air conditioning.

 

 

Sources :

https://www.silencecapousse-chezvous.fr/deco-interieure-vegetale/creer-un-terrarium

https://www.gerbeaud.com/jardin/fiches/plantes-terrarium,2093.html

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