The DIY terrarium project is very tempting.
And good news, not that complicated to carry out.
With the right container, the right plants and the right subsoil and soil, this autonomous ecosystem will have a very good life expectancy, for your greatest satisfaction.
On what principle is the terrarium based?
The terrarium is made up of a transparent container, in which plants are housed.
If the jar is closed, the plants live thanks to
photosynthesis
and the magic of the water cycle or evapotranspiration.
The water vapor emitted by the plants transforms into condensation on the glass walls of the terrarium and trickles to the bottom, allowing the plants to drink.
The open terrarium is based on the same concept of a
miniature garden
but with plants adapted to more desert environments, with different needs.
When you compose your miniature indoor garden with the different elements, be careful not to exceed a third of the volume of the terrarium.
Which indoor plants to choose for a closed terrarium?
For a homemade terrarium, it is important to select plants with the same light and humidity requirements, which grow slowly.
It is also better to choose species with poorly developed root systems.
Some plants will do well in a closed terrarium and among them:
The ball moss (
Leucobryum glaucum
) recognizable by its roundness and bright green or the
taller moss
Vesicularia reticulata ;
Ferns,
which appreciate the humidity of enclosed environments, are often placed in terrariums, as an interesting vertical element in the general composition.
This could be the Boston fern
(Nephrolepis
) or the bird's nest fern (
Asplenium nidus
).
Ivy, which can climb into a tall terrarium;
Calathea
lancifolia
and its colorful and decorative foliage;
Fittonia
albivenis
, very ornamental with its green leaves crossed by beautiful white and pale pink veins;
Epiphytic plants (if you do not want to put soil in your terrarium), such as orchids which require high humidity.
For a homemade terrarium, it is important to select plants with the same light and humidity requirements.
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Which indoor plants to choose for an open terrarium?
The advantage of an open terrarium is that it can accommodate a wide variety of plants adapted to the desert environment, whose leaves can touch the walls of the container without risk.
Succulents and cacti
have the particularity of requiring very little water and are therefore recommended for dry DIY terrariums.
Among succulent plants, you can choose the
Echevaria genus
or
the Haworthia genus
.
Also consider the intriguing lithops succulent plant or stone plant.
The beautifully flowering sea urchin cactus
(Echinopsis)
or spider cactus (
Gymnocalycium baldianum
) are good choices.
Also readVIDEO.
How to repot a cactus?
Tips and tricks to know to avoid getting bitten
What container for a homemade terrarium?
At home or during a spring garage sale, look for a
transparent container
that will let sunlight through: a jar, a candy dish, a vase, a bell or a demijohn.
The important thing is to choose it durable and waterproof.
The shape doesn't matter: go for what you like most aesthetically.
The container can be square, cylindrical or even round.
Otherwise, you will find containers specifically designed for terrariums in planters.
What soil should be made for plants in a terrarium?
The container of your terrarium can be square, cylindrical or even round.
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Three main layers
are to be expected:
The subsoil, composed of a draining layer of a few centimeters (gravel, clay balls, etc.);
A piece of garden felt or geotextile, synthetic fabric, fleece or even foam to act as a separation;
And the soil or substrate of the terrarium, to be poured using a small funnel to avoid dirtying the walls of the jar.
It can be a potting mix composed of soil and organic matter, all adapted to the type of plants chosen, rather light and well drained.
For a little personal touch,
add decorative elements
such as lacquered pebbles, shells, colored pebbles, bark or statuettes.
Where to place your homemade terrarium?
Have you composed your terrarium?
The important thing now is to find the best location to meet the
soft, non-direct light
needs of your home terrarium.
Choose a location that does not receive direct sunlight which could burn the leaves (magnifying glass effect) and cause overheating inside the container.
Likewise, avoid placing your terrarium near a radiator or fireplace.
Ideally, your terrarium should be in a room with a temperature between 15°C and 27°C.
How to take care of a DIY terrarium?
Make sure that the leaves of the plants do not touch the walls of the terrarium or they may rot.
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Here are some tips that will help you keep your terrarium for a long time:
Make sure that the leaves of the plants do not touch the walls of the terrarium or they may rot.
The secret is to
prune the plant
when necessary;
Turn your terrarium from time to time so that the light floods all parts of the plant;
If you notice opaque mist on the walls, open the terrarium for a good hour to
ventilate the ecosystem,
which seems to be suffering from the heat;
Wipe any traces of mold on the walls with a clean cloth;
Collect fallen or wilted leaves.
How to properly manage watering a terrarium?
Frequency:
if the container is closed, there is not much to do.
The water released by the plants condenses on the walls, slides and can be absorbed again by the plants.
If the condensation seems too much to you, it may be recommended to open the jar for an hour or more and compensate by watering when signs of thirst subsequently appear (the soil lightens, the moss turns pale and yellow).
When the terrarium is open, water once a week in winter and
2 to 3 times
a week in summer.
Make sure the water is not stagnating anywhere.
Watering method:
take a sprayer and project three or four jets of rainwater, filtered water or mineral water on the walls.
The water will slide down and moisten the earth.
You can then wipe the walls.