How to Create a Terrarium

7/30/2019 How to Create a Terrarium

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By: Capt. S.K.BHANDARI


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Select a glass or plasticcontainer to your liking,

that will accommodate theplants you would like to

use and your decorations.Consider the following:

How do things look from theoutside of your container?

Do you want to use apartially open or completely

enclosed container?

How much growth do youwant to allow for?

Recycle, thrift store, or brandnew?

What level of difficulty doyou want to attempt?


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STEP 2

Thoroughly cleanyour container

with a non-toxicproduct.


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Create your

drainage layerusing one to two

inches of gravel,

small stones,marbles, or

similar material.


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STEP 4

Create a filter over your drainage layer toprevent your soil from being washed down

into your rocks.

You can use:Sheet,

Sphagnumor Spanish

Moss

Coir LandscapingFabric MetalScreen


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Step 5

Sprinkle about a half inch layer of charcoalover the filter created in step 4. This will

keep your soil fresh by preventing mold and

musty odors caused by the excess moisture.

(Tip: you can also mix some charcoaldirectly into your soil which helps withdrainage, in addition to keeping your

terrarium clean.)


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Add a well-draining, sterile pottingsoil.

You can add it dry or pre-moistened.

Pre-moistened helps prevent thewater from running straight throughto the bottom when you water, after

planting.

Depending on container size, youcan add from 2-4 inches.

Try not to fill your container morethan to a third of the way full.


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Choose and prepare your plants.When choosing your plants: Look for interesting variations in color, size

and leaf structure.

Make sure all your plants have nearly the same

growing conditions in terms of moisture and

light, so they can live together harmoniously.

Prepare your plants by separating andthinning any tightly bound roots andremoving excess soil. You also want to

trim off any yellow or brown foliage andclean them up before placing them in their

new environment.

Some great plants to use interrariums are:

SaxifragaMosses

Babys TearsCroton

African VioletsBegoniaHepatica

Aluminum PlantTahitian Bridal Veil

Prayer PlantMaidenhair Fern

AND MANY MORE!


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PLACE TALLER PLANTS IN

BACK AND SMALLER PLANTS

UP FRONT.

CREATE A FOCAL POINT IN

THE MIDDLE, THEN USE

INCREASINGLY SMALLER

PLANTS AS YOU MOVE

OUTWARD FROM THE

CENTER.

USE AN ODD NUMBER OFPLANTS AS IT TENDS TO BE

MORE APPEALING TO THE

EYE.

CREATE HILLS AND VALLEYS

WITH SOIL FOR A MORE

NATURAL LANDSCAPE

Arrangeyour plantsin a waythat is

aestheticallypleasing atany angle it

may beviewed from.

Some Ideas On

Arrangement


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if you did not pre-moistenyour soil- Water, very lightlyby using a spray bottle,straw, or funnel- then placeyour decorative elements.Remember, your terrariumwill be constantlymoist/humid; so if you aregoing to use wood or otherbiodegradable items,consider setting them on topof rocks (or prepare toreplace them after a while)

You can use: Rocks Sheet moss Shells Marbles Sea Glass Small Toys Driftwood, Curly Willow Figurines Miniature Patio Furniture,Birdhouses, Gardening Supplies,

Fences, Pottery


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Closely monitor just planted terrariums for a while to ensure the moisturebalance is correct. If condensation is dripping from the top of your

container, remove the lid and allow some water to evaporate.

If you see water deposits on your container or decorative items, you

can use non-toxic window cleaner to clean the container, andeither rinse the decorative items or wash with a non-toxic product.

Remove any brown/yellow decaying matter, as itappears. If you see mold, contain and remove it

immediately.

Do not fertilize; you dont want your plants to getovergrown if they do outgrow their bounds, just trim with

a clean pruner or scissors.

Make sure you do not place your terrarium in the hot sunfor any length of time, as it will cook your plants!

Completely enclosed containers will need to be watered far lessoften then partially open containers. Many variables affect how

much water is needed; so monitor closely.


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How to Create a Terrarium

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