DIY TERRARIUM
WHAT YOU NEED
Plants that do well with humidity are most likely to thrive in your terrarium. Although succulents and cacti aren’t humidity’s biggest fans, you can compensate by using a glass container with a slight opening.
Activated Charcoal You won’t need much; a thin layer of activated charcoal keeps water fresh and helps to fight off bacterial growth in your terrarium.
Select plants that are small enough for your glass vessel. You won’t want any greenery touching the sides of your container and making your terrarium feel cramped.
Potting Soil Potting soil will act as an important layer for your DIY terrarium. Any type of soil should do the trick, although there are special mixes available if you’re planting cacti or succulents.
You’ll need some sort of glass vessel to create your terrarium. There are plenty of unique containers from which to choose, just make sure that the vessel is made of a transparent material so you can enjoy your mini-garden. Check your local thrift store or dollar store for inexpensive glass containers or simply recycle a jar from your blue bag.
Small Stones or Pebbles Small stones or pebbles will be used as the base of your terrarium. The small pebbles act as water drainage for the plants’ roots to ensure that excess water doesn’t stay in the soil and cause rot.
Step 1: Cover the bottom of your terrarium with a one and a half inch-thick layer of small stones or pebbles. The bottom layer of small pebbles will act as drainage for your terrarium. Step 2: Add a very thin layer of activated charcoal. The activated charcoal will keep water fresh and fight off any bacterial growth in your terrarium. Add a piece of screen (look for the plastic) to keep the soil from draining into the lower layers. Step 3: Add a layer of potting soil. Any potting soil mix will do, although if you’re planting succulents or cacti there are specialized mixes you can use. You’ll want to add enough potting soil so that it’s deep enough for your plants to root into it. We recommend a layer that’s about two and a half inches. Step 4: Now it’s time to add your plants. Start by planting your largest plant first. Remove the plant from its container and prune the roots as you would when re- potting any plant.
Then, make a hole in the soil large enough to fit the plants’ roots. Next, nestle the plant into the soil. It’s easiest to work your way from the back to the front of your terrarium. There’s no rhyme or reason to the design of your terrarium, play around with the arrangement and don’t forget to have fun! Pro Tip: Use gloves when handling cactus or any other prickly plant. Step 5: After all of your plants are arranged in your glass vessel, complete the look with a layer of pebbles. Once your terrarium is complete, you’ll need to take proper care of it. Sunlight and water are two essential items for the success of your terrarium. Be sure to lightly water the base every two weeks or once the soil looks like it has dried out. You should also display your terrarium in an area that receives a lot of bright, indirect sunlight.
Small Gardening Tools Having small tools handy will help you create and situate all of the items in your DIY terrarium.
Plants It wouldn’t be a terrarium without the greenery. Pick out a few of your favorite pint-sized plants to use in your terrarium. Air plants, succulents and mini-cacti are all viable options.
SPRING 2019 www.pei-living.ca
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