Terrariums are pretty easy to make. With little imagination and material you can create as many terrariums as you wish. But if proper care is not taken, terrariums can fall apart. Since they don't require much watering, terrariums are often ignored and carelessly handled. This can lead to complete destruction of your beautifully created terrarium. And hence one has to take proper care of their terrarium - both open terrarium and closed terrarium. Though there is not much to look after as these plants need less care but yet few things should be taken care of if you wish your terrarium to thrive for a longer time. Here are few tips that would help you to maintain your terrarium successfully for a long time.
Succulents with thick leaves and stems store water and are comfortable with less watering activity around them. Most important part about succulents is that they thrive in extreme conditions and do not require lot of space to grow. Most of the succulent species grow right within the space they are planted and do not overgrow. Hence they do not need to be transplanted. They require at least 2 to 3 hours of direct sunlight every day. If the edges of the cacti are turning yellow, it means that the soil in which the cacti is planted does not meet to it's expectation. It is time to remove and repot the cactus.
While planting a plant in the terrarium, ensure that the potting soil should be deep enough for the plants to root to. Potting soil should always be mixed with vermicompost before placing in the terrarium container.
Before making a terrarium and selecting plants for it, select a good spot and check for the light that would fall on it. Then select the plants accordingly. Do not place the container facing direct sunlight.
Water only once a week and that to by merely sprinkling on the required quantity that would moisten the soil enough. Over-watering would destroy the plants especially succulents. The roots of succulents may rot if too much watering is done. Never water on the leaves of the plant. Using a tall spoon or a water dropper or even a syringe, water at the base of the plants to moisten the soil. With syringes and water dropper you have an advantage of adding water in little batches.
If moss is been placed or planted in a terrariun then ensure that the container is closed. In an open terrarium make sure that the moss is pressed firmly between the plant layers.
If you notice too much growth in the height of the plant, cut of the newest growth to the desired height. This also ensures that the plant starts growing from sides, thus giving it a shrubby look. Plants selected for terrarium usually are known to grow slow and reach very little height. But there are times when plants could outgrow the environment of the terrarium and in such cases it is ideal to replace the plant.
Rotten plants should be immediately removed from the terrarium both closed as well as open. The mildew or mould should be carefully removed along with some portions of soil touching the mould. Only after doing this new plant should be potted in it's place.
How many plants one should plant in a terrarium is something that cannot be answered. In a large terrarium one can place as many plants as he wishes. The number of plants to be potted in a terrarium container varies with space and individual.
While planting in large terrarium container such as fish tank, make sure that you gather and plant all the succulents together and plant the tropical plants together. Same applies to wide varieties of ferns. The watering and soiling requirement for each of these plants such as succulents, tropical plants and ferns are different. Hence once they are planted in groups in different sections of the container, individual attention can be provided to their needs.
1. Always read the instructions carefully while making a terrarium. Do not miss out on the steps
1. Ensure that the open terrarium gets frequent light.
3. Add water once in 7 to 14 days and do so with the help of a syringe or a water dropper. While watering do not add too much water but just enough to moisten the soil.
2. If you frequently find signs of dry leaves or rotten leaves, it would be a good idea to take off that lid of the enclosed terrarium for a while.
How to take Care of your Terrarium Plants
Care of Succulents
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| Succulents need less care |
Enough Potting Soil
While planting a plant in the terrarium, ensure that the potting soil should be deep enough for the plants to root to. Potting soil should always be mixed with vermicompost before placing in the terrarium container.
Perfect Spot
Before making a terrarium and selecting plants for it, select a good spot and check for the light that would fall on it. Then select the plants accordingly. Do not place the container facing direct sunlight.
Watering Your Terrarium
Water only once a week and that to by merely sprinkling on the required quantity that would moisten the soil enough. Over-watering would destroy the plants especially succulents. The roots of succulents may rot if too much watering is done. Never water on the leaves of the plant. Using a tall spoon or a water dropper or even a syringe, water at the base of the plants to moisten the soil. With syringes and water dropper you have an advantage of adding water in little batches.
Placing Moss
If moss is been placed or planted in a terrariun then ensure that the container is closed. In an open terrarium make sure that the moss is pressed firmly between the plant layers.
Growth of the Plant
If you notice too much growth in the height of the plant, cut of the newest growth to the desired height. This also ensures that the plant starts growing from sides, thus giving it a shrubby look. Plants selected for terrarium usually are known to grow slow and reach very little height. But there are times when plants could outgrow the environment of the terrarium and in such cases it is ideal to replace the plant.
Rotten Plants
Rotten plants should be immediately removed from the terrarium both closed as well as open. The mildew or mould should be carefully removed along with some portions of soil touching the mould. Only after doing this new plant should be potted in it's place.
Planting Terrarium Plants
How many plants one should plant in a terrarium is something that cannot be answered. In a large terrarium one can place as many plants as he wishes. The number of plants to be potted in a terrarium container varies with space and individual.
Planting in Large Terrarium Container
While planting in large terrarium container such as fish tank, make sure that you gather and plant all the succulents together and plant the tropical plants together. Same applies to wide varieties of ferns. The watering and soiling requirement for each of these plants such as succulents, tropical plants and ferns are different. Hence once they are planted in groups in different sections of the container, individual attention can be provided to their needs.
How to Take Care of Your Terrarium Garden
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| Charcoal is an essential element |
2. Charcoal is an essential element of the terrarium garden. It is important to add a layer of charcoal on the gravel before placing the soil layer. Charcoal prevents the formation of bacteria towards the drainage level of the soil, thus further preventing the roots of the plants from rotting.
3. It is important to understand and study the pattern of how much time it takes for the soil in your terrarium to dry. Once you learn the pattern it gets easy for you to understand how often and how much you should water. This pattern totally depends on how close the terrarium is placed near the window and how much sunlight it gets.
4. While preparing the potting soil mix vermicompost to ensure a healthy soil for your plants.
5. Never add direct tap water to the soil. Ensure that the water added is either bottled or left out for 24 hours for the chlorine to evaporate. You can also use distilled water.
6. To maintain the health of your terrarium garden remove dried leaves or flowers if any.
7. Do not forget to clean the glass of your terrarium container inside out with a lint-free cloth or newspaper sheet to remove smudges, finger prints or dirt if any. This way your terrarium garden would always look beautiful and clean.
Open Terrarium Care
2. Never place an open terrarium right in front of direct sunlight.
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| Enough moisten soil but never soaking wet |
4. Soil in the open terrarium should always be moist but never soaking wet.
5. It is not necessary to add fertilizer to the open terrarium regularly. Regular fertilizing ensures good and fast growth which is one thing we don't want to happen in our terrarium.
6. Any leaf or stem that touches the glass should be cut off.
7. Regular pruning is essential for healthy and shrubby growth of plants.
Closed Terrarium Care
A closed terrarium need little bit of an extra care as compared to an open care, though taking care of the closed terrarium could be complicated at times. A closed terrarium acts as an self-sustaining universe in itself. Hence the most important care that one can take is mostly during the time you built it up.
1. If you notice that too much water is collected at the base of the terrarium, remove the lid and keep the terrarium open for at least 1 to 2 days. This way the water would evaporate. Always check for condensation rate in the closed terrariums. Large water droplets should be taken care off by keeping the lid open for a while.
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| Always check for condensation rate in closed terrariums |
3. Do not fertilize regularly. Closed terrarium should be fertilized only if you notice any signs of undernourishment in the plants.
4. Regular pruning is essential for healthy and shrubby growth of plants.
5. At times it is ideal to replace a plant with another.
6. It is not necessary to add fertilizer to the closed terrarium regularly. Regular fertilizing ensures good and fast growth which is one thing we don't want to happen in our terrarium.
7. Any leaf or stem that touches the glass should be cut off.
Learn more about How to Make Your Own Terrarium
Learn more about How to Make Your Own Terrarium
