Just because you don't have a yard, doesn't mean you can't grow an entire landscape. In fact, being a little small-minded is just the ticket if you want to bring the outdoors in.
Enchanting Lilliputian-like landscapes in terrariums are the perfect solution. And the great thing is there's a terrarium for everyone. From simple to sophisticated, and all points in between, they're not difficult to plant or maintain.
Really, any glass container can be turned into a terrarium, but vases or old-fashioned bell jars are great vessels for imparting your own signature style.
What is important is that you carefully plan how to plant your terrarium. That's because a terrarium is a miniature ecosystem and it needs to be set up properly from the beginning. That means buying high-quality potting mix and selecting slow-growing plants that have similar light requirements and are appropriate for the size of your container. It's easier than you think. Here's how.
START WITH A CLEAN CONTAINER
Properly wash and sterilize your container to avoid inadvertently introducing diseases to your healthy plants and potting soil. And since the main objective of a terrarium is to see the plants within, clean glass is obviously a good idea.
LAYER THE PLANTING MEDIUM
To ensure that the potting soil doesn't get soggy, prepare a onecentimetre base of gravel and cover it with a layer of potting soil. The gravel layer ensures that the soil never sits in water that may, at times, accumulate in the bottom of the terrarium. At least five cm of soil is required, but it can come up as high as half the height of the terrarium. Despite the common belief that charcoal will filter the soil and keep it clean, charcoal isn't necessary in a terrarium. In fact, activated charcoal quite rapidly becomes inactive with constant exposure to carbon in the air. Charcoal can, however, be a nice amendment to a terrarium because of its decorative properties.
ADD YOUR PLANTS
Space plants according to the mature height and spread listed on their tags. Choosing slow-growing plants will also save you from constantly having to trim back foliage.
WATER THEM IN WELL
Because terrariums create a very humid micro-climate, you won't have to water very often. An initial thorough watering is important, but after that, don't expect to water more than a few times a month. When it is time to water, use a funnel. It will help distribute the water to the soil rather than letting it collect on the flowers and foliage (thus reducing potential problems with diseases).
PROVIDE BRIGHT, INDIRECT LIGHT
Terrariums want the brightness from the sun but not its heat, so never place one directly in front of a window that isn't covered with sheer draperies. Leaving a covered terrarium in direct sunlight will "cook" your plants and turn them into the equivalent of steamed vegetables.
Although many plants are suitable for a terrarium, as I said, small, slow-growing varieties are best. Here are a few excellent choices for terrariums.
There are thousands of varieties of standard, miniature and trailing African violets, which all display a low-growing rosette habit and irresistibly fuzzy foliage. Of course, they also feature a great array of flower colours and leaf variations. The key to success with African violets, especially in a terrarium where the relative humidity is high, is to never over-water.
Table fern is a wonderful upright plant with a variety of foliage colours. It isn't a slow grower, so buy it small and give it regular haircuts to keep it from outgrowing its space. Fronds may be dark green or variegated and toothed.
Gardenias make great additions to terrariums. The green leaves of a healthy gardenia are as striking and lush as its flowers are beautiful. They work well in terrariums where it's fairly easy to keep the soil the way gardenias like it - consistently moist but not soggy. Use distilled water, rainwater or melted snow because the plants are extremely sensitive to chlorine and fluoride.
So, as outdoor gardening comes to an end for another season, why not try creating your own terrarium? What better way to remind ourselves that "the glass is always half full."
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