DIY : Dress up Your Home With Terrarium

By novee On January 18th, 2012 | Posted in Design Tips and Tricks

Ever hear or see plants that are planted in a small glass jar? Or in small aquarium, which is also contained lizard or a turtle? All those plants which grown in the glass media, known as terrarium.

Terrarium, first introduced in the UK. Beginning with a mini greenhouse in the United Kingdom and popular among the nobility, then terrarium became famous around the world. Terrarium or vivarium is a medium or containers made of glass or transparent plastic containing plants, which cater for diverse needs, such as for research, methods of planting and decor. In short, the terrarium is the most natural artificial biosphere because biological function that occurs in the terrarium was similar to that occurring in nature. So the terrarium can also be used as a mini biology laboratory.

Interested to make it? It’s easy. But first, let us first identify the types of terrarium.

1. Closed terrarium.
This is a terrarium that all parts of its planting place, tightly closed (can be open off course). The goal? Create a unique biosphere inside the terrarium. More challenges in making this type of terrarium. Several factors should be of particular concern to the closed terrarium, there are the problem of water and proper lighting. Terrarium of this type usually have small openings at the top, to put plants and other materials inside the terrarium.

2. Open Air terrarium.
The terrarium with the open top of its planting medium. To create a miniature plants, this kind of planting media is most easy to use and maintain. You can even make a decorative plant in a terrarium type this in a very short time.

3. Animals Terrarium.
As its name implies, this type of terrarium used for small animals to put on display. For example lizards, iguanas, frogs, small turtles or snakes. The goal is to display a replica of the real world of fauna in the wild by moving it into an attractive glass media.

Because terrarium is a glass planting medium with limited size and unique biosphere, the selection of plants that are placed in the terrarium also be appropriate. Some plants commonly used in the terrarium, among others sansiviera, cactus, succulent and bromeliads.

As a first step, you can prepare some of the growing media and materials for decoration. Some media are required, include: zeolite sand, soil humus, Sphagnum moss, charcoal, rocks and sand. You can find those item in the nearest gradening store.

Then prepare the equipment. Equipment that is used easily available and inexpensive, among others:

Planting place. For the place you can use a round aquarium, glass jars, apothecary jars, or even a big glass bowl.
Mini shovel or spoon.
Tweezers, scissors, and a plastic funnel.
Sprayer, gauze, and brush.

After all equipment is ready, now we can begin to make it. Here’s how:

Wash the glass media with hot soapy water. Rinse and dry the glass media.
Create a layer of rock or sand (or other media) at the bottom with thick approximately 2-3 cm.
Add charcoal with a thickness of 1-2 cm.
With a spoon or mini shovel, add layer to the media, such as soil humus layer of 5-8 cm thick. Make a little mound to beautify. If you use an aquarium, you can raise bumps on one side as a backdrop.
Dig a small hole in the layer of soil to plant roots.
Take a suitable plant, then wash the roots. Cut off the damaged leaves. Place the plant in a small hole had been dug and cover roots with soil. If you use an aquarium or large glass box, you can put more than one plant in it. Place larger plants in the back.
Moisten the soil, but do not over-watering. Moist is enough. You can enhance your terrarium by adding stones, miniature gardens, or even small animals.
Place your terrarium in locations that not exposed to direct sunlight. Moisten the soil if it starts to look dry. For example for succulent plants, you can flush every 5 days. For other types of plants that do not require much water, you can water it once a week.

Our review was more directed at making the open or closed terrarium types. Due to making animals terrarium, it more complicated and complex because it should adjust to the original habitat of the animals and plants used.

Gardening as well as decor