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Pastimes: Show ‘Em Who’s Moss –
By DeDee Birdsall
Ask anyone under forty to tell you what a terrarium is and you’ll likely get nothing but a puzzled look. Not surprising, since terrariums haven’t been much of a “thing” since the 1970s. The old school miniature glass gardens were often planted in used aquariums with run of the mill house plants, but today’s terrariums are taking on a trendy, decorative new look. With the right supplies and a little imagination, you can turn this easy and affordable hobby into something special and have your own new “garden” in no time flat.
The More Things Change…
With today’s growing interest in handmade crafts and all things DIY, the new generation of terrariums meld a dose of the 1970s mixed with the creative flair of the modern era. This new variety includes not only interesting vessels, but also a range of plant species, mosses and miniatures creating delicate tiny scenes, including the popular fairy gardens, which feature pint sized plants and accessories that hope to entice tiny, magical visitors.
Other miniature options include people, animals and small garden accessories. Searching the doll house section of your local craft store or raiding miniature train and landscape sets can also do the trick. For additional inspiration, you can visit http://www.miniatire-gardens.com or do a Google image search on “terrarium” for visual ideas. Another good resource is Tiny World Terrariums: A Step-by-Step Guide to Easily Contained Life by Michelle Inciarrano and Katy Maslow, available on Amazon and in local book stores.
Through the Looking Glass
While it’s easy to spend a lot of money on a fancy terrarium vessel, you should consider taking inventory in your attic, basement or garage for an old fishbowl or cookie jar that’s just waiting for a new purpose. If no such treasures can be found, scout your local flea market, garage sale or craft and hobby stores for unique, one-of-a-kind homes for your new glass garden. Think outside the box and create open or closed terrariums made of mason jars, brandy snifters or vintage cookie jars. You can even turn an old light bulb into a mini-terrarium, as seen here: http://thehipsterho.me/2010/01/how-to-make-a-tiny-terrarium-in-a-light-bulb/. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.
Searching for the perfect container is half the fun, and there’s no limit to the size as long as it’s conducive to planting, has clear glass and includes an opening wide enough to place your plants in. Remember to allow plenty of headroom for your plants to grow and make sure you wash it in hot soapy water, rinse well and dry completely before planting.
How Does Your Garden Grow?
Finding the perfect sized plants for your terrarium can be tricky. Depending on the type of terrarium, you’ll want to purchase small plants that all require the same type of care. For example, use all tropical sun-loving or all drought-tolerant plants, but never combine the two in the same terrarium. First and foremost, find plants that you love. In our example, we planted three different types of gardens: the standard plant garden, a moss garden and an air fern garden. The best terrarium plants are those that stay small, prefer low light and thrive in humid conditions, while others work better in less humid setups.
Plants that flourish in humid conditions (terrariums with a lid) include some species of ferns such as variegated spider fern, but not all ferns are conducive to terrarium plantings, so make sure you do your research. Moss is also a good choice. You can collect your own from nature or order online from places such as Teresa’s Plants and More Store at www.teresasplants.com. Moss should be kept constantly moist and have an abundant light source. Lidded terrariums placed in filtered light work best. Other options include selaginellas, gesneriads or soleirolia. When things are going to be less humid, good plants include African violents, bromeliads (air ferns), begonias, orchids, peperomias and ivy.
Still at a loss for plant types? Check out http://glasstropics.com/content/guide-popular-terrarium-plants for a guide to suitable terrarium plants classified by condition or enlist the help of your local garden center. Most carry specific terrarium species and can assist you in selecting plants with similar growing requirements. Remember to tell them if your environment will be more humid (terrarium with a lid) or less humid (terrarium without a lid).
Ready, Set, Assemble!
Now that you’ve gathered the necessary supplies, you’re ready to start assembling your terrarium. Thirty minutes is about all the time you need to put things together, and you’ll have a fun new glass garden to enjoy yourself or to show off to your family and friends.
Things You’ll Need
- Terrarium vessel (with or without a lid, depending on your project)
- Stones, marbles, gravel, or coarse decorative sand
- Sphagnum moss
- Plants of your choice
- Terrarium charcoal or aquarium filter charcoal to keep the air fresh
- Potting soil
- Sand (if you’re creating a cacti environment)
- Optional decoration: ornamental miniatures or fairy garden accessories
Assembly
Start by adding stones, marbles or sand to the bottom of the terrarium, then add one thin layer of charcoal. Next, add a thin layer of sphagnum moss, which will keep the soil from settling to the bottom layer of stones and act as a filter, leaving your soil intact. Add a two inch layer of potting soil, or equivalent based on the size of the container. Make small indentations in the soil, add plants and gently press soil around them. Last but not least, add creative finishes such as more rock and terrarium miniatures to fill out space.
Proper care and maintenance of your terrarium is essential. Water by misting lightly every two weeks and don’t place the terrarium in direct sunlight. If you’ve planted a terrarium without a lid, keep an eye on it and water every week if the soil is dry. Bear in mind, some plants may outgrow your terrarium, so clipping may be necessary. Rotate your terrarium occasionally to help ensure that all sides get equal exposure to sunlight.
Share the Love
Are you stressing out over trying to find that perfect gift for someone? Take your new hobby one step further and share the joy of terrarium gardening. Put together a starter kit for that friend who doesn’t have much gardening experience. Package the starter kit with all the supplies necessary to get going, including assembly instructions and a gift card to a local garden center. Place rocks, soil, sphagnum moss and miniatures in labeled baggies and lay inside the planting vessel. Attach instructions and you’ve got a quick, easy gift!
When planted correctly, a terrarium requires little attention but reaps big rewards. Simply mist and place a lid on the container and they become miniature eco-systems as well as great decorating pieces for your home, office or anywhere else. Terrariums are a perfect no-fuss option for any aspiring gardener whose thumb may not be quite so green.
