Terrariums
A terrarium is an indoor miniature garden confined within a glass container that is usually sealed to create an ecosystem that is largely self-sustaining.
Terrarium Soil Layers To build a successful terrarium, use the following soil layers;
Drainage Layer – This layer drains and stores excess moisture, reducing the negative impact of growing plants in a container without drainage holes.
Moss Layer – This layer absorbs excess moisture and is a barrier between the soil and drainage layers.
Charcoal layer – This layer helps absorb any toxins that might impact the health of your plants or odors which might build up in the terrarium.
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Soil Layer – This is the base which will house your plants.
Decorative Soil Layer – decorative material such as sand, decorative stones or shells between the soil. This gives your terrarium great aesthetic appeal.
Plant Layer – These are the plants you house in your terrarium.
Ornamental Layer – This layer adds to the decorative appeal of your terrarium.
Terrarium Container Material
Plastic Terrariums:
Plastic comes with a few caveats. It hardly needs to be said that plastic can be subtly dangerous, either through leaching chemicals or shedding microplastics
Most of the harmful effects take place over the course of decades and usually in adverse conditions (such as exposure to intense sun or wave action). And, generally, plants are more forgiving of such conditions than animals..
Glass Terrariums:
The only to remember is to wash out the glass thoroughly before using it. There may be chemical residue from glass cleaner which absolutely could ruin the whole terrarium.
When picking out a glass terrarium, give preference to containers with thinner glass. It allows more light through but it also allows more heat out, reducing the greenhouse effect a little bit.
What plants work best in terrariums?
Ferns – Maidenhair, Birds nest, Button ferns.
Carnivorous plants – Venus fly traps, Pitcher plants,
Dwarf palms.
Airplants – Tillandsia.
Succulents- cacti,
Terrariums are classified into two types:
Open - These terrariums are great for direct light or lots of sun. Make sure to consider the specific plants in your terrarium when placing it. Water every two weeks, or as needed.
Closed - These terrariums require very little maintenance. Indirect light is great for these plants. Direct sunlight on a closed terrarium can burn your plants. Open the terrarium at least once a month for roughly 20 minutes to allow for some air circulation
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