Terrariums

1. Terrariums By: Taylor Potter

2. What is a terrarium? • An open or closed container that does not have holes in the bottom for drainage • Open means they are exposed to their surroundings • Closed means the container is cut off from its surroundings and creates its own ecosystem • Generally clear glass • Open containers tends to have cacti or alike plants • Closed containers tend to have tropical plants that thrive in humid containers such as polka-dot plants

3. Building your terrarium

4. Almost any type of clear glass bottle will do as long as it is not tinted or cloudy • The type of plant that you have on hand will determine whether you should make a closed or open terrarium • Remember if the plant id tropical go for a closed terrarium and if not go for an open design

5. Step 1 - pick your container • Step 2 – pick out your plants • Step 3 – generally put a level of river rocks (small and smooth) on the bottom that is about 1to 4 inches deep • Step 4 – then add a thin layer of charcoal to help with water filtering • Step 5 - put in your plants along with enough soil to cover up the roots of the plant

6. Maintenance • These plant generally require lots of light but be sure to read the info that comes with the plant • If you made a closed terrarium • make sure that you do not add too much water. A tell tale sign is that the container walls are covered with water droplets; if you used to much open the terrarium up and let it air for a little while • If you did not water enough the plants will wilt and begin to die. Add a little water

7. My attempt at creating a terrarium These are my succulents They have officially been living for a couple of weeks

8. More terrariums My cacti The one on the left is my favorite

10. Hope you enjoyed learning about terrariums as much as I did