The Terrarium Workshop , which rose to popularity in the 1970s and then faded just as quickly, appears to be making a comeback, no doubt because making one is inexpensive, simple, and enjoyable. The attraction of creating a terrarium is that it is actually a low-maintenance indoor garden of greenery and a miniature that can be designed in a variety of ways to match any style of home decor.
There’s a reason why open terrariums are so popular.
You get all of the bonuses of planting and raising a terrarium, but you don’t have to worry about the problems that can readily ruin a terrarium. As a result, open terrariums are more adaptable in terms of home decor. As a result, geometric lush terrariums and hanging air plant terrariums are becoming increasingly popular.
They’re usually more decorative than horticultural, but they have a lot of direct benefits:
- Improved plant airflow
- There are no problems with condensation.
- Mold and rot are less likely to occur.
The following materials are required:
- Glass container with a wide mouth
- Soil
- Charcoal (Activated)
- River rocks, pebbles, or sea glass
- Sand
- Moss
- Small plants (Succulents, ferns, ivy)
- Other ornamental items, such as seashells, colored rocks, small sticks, and trinkets
- A small scoop or shovel.
Instructions:
- Make sure your receptacle is clean and dry. While it may seem counterproductive to clean something that will eventually be filled with dirt, you don’t want your plants to come into contact with anything harmful to their health.
- Fill the base of the vessel with pebbles for drainage. To retain the next tiers of charcoal (activated) and potting soil from mixing in with the pebbles, add a layer of moss on top of them. Moss can also hold water, which will aid in keeping the terrarium moist.
- Finally, head with potting soil and charcoal, which will help restrain your terrarium cool and fresh. If you’re going to use succulents or cacti, use a soup spoon to mix sand into the soil.
- Affix your plants to the mix. When you’re planting the plants in the planter, make sure they’re well embedded in the soil, just like you would plant them outside. It’s fine to crowd the plants a little, but if you’re using a mix of succulents and other plants, keep the succulents separate from the others because they don’t need as much water.
- Finally, add your finishing touches. Use chopsticks to assist you in placing the elements in your container.
Upkeep is required.
A terrarium requires little maintenance, but there are a few guidelines to follow. Depending on the size of your terrarium, water it once a week with about two tablespoons of water. More than that isn’t required for an open-air terrarium. Also, if you notice any dead or dying leaves, snip them off; you don’t want your terrarium to grow out of control.
Beware of Insects/Pests.
Because they are exposed to the outside world, open terrariums are more susceptible to bugs, pests, and infestations.
Many noble houseplants have succumbed to mealy bugs and gnats. As a result, you’ll need to be extra cautious in that area. In general, if your plants are rapidly deteriorating, there’s a good chance it’s due to an insect. Give them a thorough examination, attempting to identify the culprits and treating them accordingly.