Anytime News Article
GARDENS IN GLASS
Dr. Leonard Perry, Extension Professor
University of Vermont
What do fish tanks, brandy snifters, and Mason jars have in common? They are all containers that can be used to make gardens in glass, or terrariums.
Most common perhaps is the berry bowl-- a round glass container or brandy snifter with partridgeberry. This is a woodland plant with dark green, small evergreen leaves and red berries.
If making a larger terrarium, many plants may be used-- in fact any that are small, or grow slow and can be kept clipped to size. Sphagnum sheet moss is the usual liner for the container.
Low woodland plants which can be used include other mosses, ferns, lichens, the herb thyme, wintergreen, and partridgeberry. Some taller plants include other ferns and violets. Just make sure if collecting such plants that they are not endangered (check with the state natural resources agency), and that you only collect a few plants from a native population.
Some common garden and house plants can be used such as strawberry begonia, spider plants, selaginella moss, palm seedlings (which of course as they grow will need to be removed), and peperomias. There are many low plants you can now find under perennials for planting in walks and patios and stepping on, which may be suitable.
You may even want a theme of a specific ecological area. For a desert, use some of the many slower growing cactus seedlings and other succulent plants. For a bog, use mosses, ferns, and even carnivorous plants such as the Venus fly trap. For a rock garden, consider perennials such as saxifrage, sedum, sempervivum, erodium, or low dianthus.
Keep in mind though, if using perennials, they may need some winter rest in a cool area. This may be an unheated, yet non-freezing garage, with indirect light.
Materials you'll need beside plants include proper soil (humus soil for woodlands, sandy for deserts, for instance), sand or fine gravel for drainage, and charcoal bits to keep the soil sweet. White or colored aquarium gravel, and miniature ceramic or plastic figures, can be used for accents.
Tools you'll need are scissors, a pointed dowel rod, wire hooks or fork, water sprayer, funnel or tube, and brush or paper towels. You'll want a cover such as window screen or cheesecloth to allow air and let the plants breathe. Yet with the glass container, the proper environment will be maintained with appropriate watering.
First, insert the moss liner, green side out, into the bottom quarter of the bowl. Then add a layer of gravel or sand. Sprinkle the charcoal bits on top. Finish with the soil, moistened. The container should now be about a quarter to third full.
Insert the plants, roots first, into holes made with a fork. Use the dowel rod to place plants, and firm soil around. Spray the plants with water (unless of course a dry garden),clean the inner sides of the container, then add your decorative accents.
Keep the terrarium in bright but indirect light. In direct light it can get too hot, cooking the plants. Since the moisture and humidity remains in the container much longer than with houseplants, take care not to overwater. You can tell when to water if the plants wilt of course, or if the soil looks dry and lighter in color.
Check your plants before placing in the container for pests. If foliage plants, it may be a good idea to dunk them in a mild, soapy bath and rinse before planting. This may help get rid of any lurking pests. Then check your terrarium frequently for pests, especially the undersides of leaves. If palm seedlings, check for mites, although mites prefer drier environments. Mealybugs may be the more commonly found, and if so, swab them with a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol.
If a large container, you may just want to put a layer of gravel on the bottom and very small pots of miniature plants on top, as in a greenhouse. Plant choices here might be miniature African violets, small seedlings of cacti and succulents, or rooting cuttings of small-leaved houseplants such as some gesneriads, peperomia and begonias.
There are also many attractive containers you can purchase for terrariums, such as miniature greenhouses and Victorian-style large glass cases with many sides. You may also find suitable containers at flea markets, yard sales, antique shops, and on the internet.