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Health & Fitness

January: Terrariums

Add a little green to your indoor space with terrariums!

As the winter season arrives in full force, it’s always comforting to add a little ‘green’ to your indoor space. Tiny gardens are easy to make and can fit anywhere: office desks, kitchen islands, hanging inside glass globes or as floor models. A terrarium acts as a miniature ecosystem. All you need to make this little jungle in a jar is a special balance of plants, water, sun and soil.

It’s a simple project that can teach the basic concept of rainfall. As water accumulates in the soil and between the pebbles, the sunlight causes the water to evaporate—causing small water droplets to cling to the sides of the container. As the drops get larger, they slide off the sides of the glass and fall back into soil. When the water passes through the charcoal layer, the impurities are trapped, and the water is cleaned for the next cycle. A healthy terrarium will continue like this in much the same way as rain works in our environment. This DIY project is a simple one and reminds kids or adults about the everyday workings of our world—while they have fun playing in the dirt!
Make your New Year even sweeter by taking advantage of the Pasquesi Indoor Plant Sale this month. If you have questions about terrariums or general plant care, please call Lois in Indoor Plants.

How to make a terrarium...

FIRST, gather your materials.
Lay out sheets of plastic to protect indoor surfaces and to allow for easier cleanup.

CREATE your own miniature trowel from a plastic, drinking straw and a plastic spoon. Overlap the two and tape securely. This will allow you to add materials and dig inside a narrow, glass container.

LAY one-half- to one-inch of small pebbles, small pieces of gravel or terra cotta chips in the bottom of the container. (Add an inch of sand first, if making a succulent garden.) 

COVER the pebble layer with a thin layer of charcoal chips. (The charcoal acts as a filter to clean the water.)
 
COVER the charcoal layer with one- to three-inches of sterilized, potting soil or a Terrarium Soil Mix.

DIG small holes for plants with your handmade trowel. 

ARRANGE plants in an interesting grouping that creates harmony with the container’s shape and size. Tamp down the soil around the plants’ roots very lightly.
 
ADD accent pieces among the plants, such as: marbles, interesting rocks, fossils, fairies, shallow  vessels to make miniature ponds or even plastic dinosaurs that roam among the flora.

WATER until moist with a spoon or water mister.

If the container has a lid, remove it when condensation forms on the inside of the terrarium.

  
Plant ideas: Choose from many varieties of tiny, terrarium-happy plants in 2.5-inch pots—ready to plant: Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla), spineless Schlumbergera (Christmas cactus), carnivorous Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula), delicate ferns, succulents, mosses or mixed foliage plants.

Terrarium ‘toys’: Tuck in small architectural items among the plants such as churches, cottages, lamp posts, lanterns, arbors or benches to create a sense of scale in your terrarium. It’s fun to include decorative items such as fairies, birdbaths or even, an ice skating pond. 

Glass containers: Clear, glass containers are the perfect starting place when considering a terrarium. Almost any shape can work as long as you can get the plants into it. Bring your own container or choose from a selection of glass containers in our store. Or, go big and create an elegant Victorian terrarium by choosing a miniature, glass-paneled greenhouse with an ornamental stand. A mixture of ferns and mosses, a potted Hydrangea or an orchid will really thrive with the extra humidity. If you need help deciding, we are happy to help!
Really simple terrariums—Hanging glass globes can become cool, hanging homes for delicate Tillandsia or ‘air plants’. The leaves of these plants gather their moisture and nutrients from the air and don’t need soil. They are extremely, low-maintenance plants that prefer bright, filtered light. A bathroom with lots of humidity can be the perfect spot. Mist them every week or dunk them in a bowl of water for 20-30 minutes every few weeks—depending on the humidity in your home. ‘Tillies’ are great plants for kids to watch over as these hardy plants are very forgiving!

Enjoy each season with living things. Wishing you happiness and good health in the New Year!

To read more gardening tips from Pasquesi Home & Gardens, visit http://www.pasquesi.com/expert-advice/maintenance-tips.html

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