Plants in a bottle: Some reminders when making a terrarium garden
Growing plants isn’t limited to spacious gardens and fields because green spaces are sometimes formed in the tiniest of spaces such as glass bottles and containers that are also called terrariums.
Terrariums are miniature gardens that are similar to an aquarium, but instead of fish, they hold plants. There are two types of terrariums: open and closed.
Open terrariums demand more watering than closed ones because they usually have a wide opening, hence, they have a lower humidity level. Plants that thrive in this type of garden are slow-growing plants that love the partial shade like varieties of aloe, cactus, African violet, and peperomia.
Closed terrariums, on the other hand, are suitable for humidity-loving plants, such as Syngonium and petunia. This type of miniature garden uses a lidded glass container with a narrow mouth or opening.
Space, color, and texture
To prevent plant rot and drying of the leaves, there must be a distance between the glass wall and the plants.
The colors of plants must be chosen accordingly. Light-colored plants, for example, must be contrasted with plants that are darker in color. To balance out the shiny containers, fill them with plants of a duller hue.
Plant texture must also be taken into account. Plants with rough leaves, such as Peperomia Rosso, need to be paired with smoother-leaved varieties like petunias.
Choosing plants
Keep the plant height and growing requirements in mind when selecting plants for a terrarium garden. The container glass should not be shorter than the plants as well. Remember, plants must not come into contact with the glass.
Each batch or set of plants must have the same light and watering needs. They shouldn’t be mixed just for their aesthetic appeal.
Read: Hobbyist shares tips on how to create a terrarium
Growing conditions
Terrariums prefer partial shade and a temperature of between 18 to 22 degrees Celsius. Do not expose closed terrariums to direct sunlight to prevent too much internal temperature, which can cause plants to die.
Plants in terrariums must be grown in well-draining soil that is high in organic matter. A mixture of compost and garden soil is recommended.
Read: Guide in making your own mini-ecosystem by staging a terrarium
Whether in bulbs or empty glass bottles, it is possible to grow a prolific garden in the most little space, especially if they are given tender loving care.
The information provided above is from a webinar titled “Webinar on Terrarium Making” by the Highland Science for the Convergence of Agriculture and Tourism's Benguet Landscaping and Ornamental Offerings of Magsasaka Syentista (SciCAT:BLOOM) in cooperation with the BSU-International Relations Office.