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I want to try making a terrarium for my new Jewel orchid (http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/150649/). What kind of plants do well in this situation? I'll probably add a fern and maybe a venus flytrap would be cool. What kind of maintenance do terrariums need? Also, if you were making one of these, what kind of plants would you use? I can't wait to hear everyone's ideas. First I know I need to find a suitable container, so until then this thread will get the creative juices flowing.
Hi Chickadee!Hi ThreeGardeners! Nice to meet ya guys!I just wanted to say that I am in a predicament similar to yours Chickadee,I have a container but no plants!I looked through threegardener's articles and I found them useful (I didn't know you could use wine glasses or plastic salad bowls!) but I still don't know where to buy plants!Do you two gardeners know of a website where you can buy mini plants?
For you Chickadee,I think plants that love moisture like Orchids do would work (sorry I bet you already knew that huh?sorry!) but um...i would pick plants such as "Baby Tears","Irish Moss" which makes nice ground cover,Ferns like you said,or even "Hoya" which I have read from many websites is almost indestructible lol
If you REALLY REALLY want a Meat eater...I think a Pitcher Plant would be cool!Only thing I wonder about is if they eat nats or little buggies that sometimes end up in terrariums?Perhaps Threegardeners knows...?Here is a pitcher plant I found for ya...i personally like the purple one ^-^
Venus flytraps will eventually die in there. They need direct Sun all day and a yearly 4-5 month dormant period. Maybe try a small Lowland Nepenthes instead.
I came across that website by accident. I thought it was so neat. The only thing is I can't seem to find those seeds they had. oh well keep looking right. :)
At one time I had probably had a dozen or more glass jars/vases planted up as terrariums. I still have a few as well as a 10 gal aquarium with a hood and light. Many plants do well in terrarium situations. Here's a site that gives a list of great plants for different sizes of terrariums: http://www.thegardenhelper.com/terrarium~plants.html
I've never purchased from this site but they carry small plants suitable for terrarium culture: http://www.glasshouseworks.com/terrariumplants.html I found them listed in the Garden Watchdog: http://davesgarden.com/products/gwd/c/154/ so you can scroll down the page and check out feedback from previous customers before deciding to purchase. I have always just purchased small houseplants from Wal-Mart or Home Depot and when they begin to grow too large and take over the terrarium I pinch them back to keep them to a desired size.
Terrarium are such fun to plant and a great rainy day project to do with children. Give them a little jar with a lid (preferably plastic for very young children, even a large Plastic Mayonnaise jar works.) Let them choose a small plant of their choice and maybe a little resin/ceramic turtle, frog, bunny etc. and let them create their own little garden. Terrariums require very little care once established. If the container has a lid, you don't have to water as often as you do without a lid or cover. If the container comes with no lid, a piece of saran wrap over the top will suffice. Just remember if a lot of moisture builds up, vent the edge once in awhile to let it dry a bit. If the container has no light attached you can sit it near a window for natural light, or under a table lamp. If the terrarium has a light (like my aquarium) you can pretty much place it anywhere there's access to a plug.
If anyone decides to play around and plant up a terrarium I hope you will take photo's to share by posting them on the Terrarium Gardening Forum!
Years ago I grew a mini african violet in a brandy snifter. Also larger voilets in large round clear bowls. I first added washed aquarium gravel (neutral color), then a 1/4 inch layer of aquarium charcoal (helps purify the soil) then added the potting soil shaping it into a mound (to keep water from setteling at the crown of the plant). Had them for years!
