Projects

The Terrarium

The reason why the Terrarium has remained the Cinderella of indoor plant displays is hard to understand. It cannot be a matter of cost, because suitable containers are to be found in most homes. All you need is a goldfish bowl, fishtank, large bottle, brandy snifter or even a glass mixing bowl. Anything, in fact, which has transparent sides and has either a restricted neck or can be covered with a sheet of glass or transparent plastic.

The essential point of a Terrarium is that the plants are surrounded by the container and access to the outside air is limited. As a result the air around the leaves remains moist at all times, and plant-killing draughts are excluded. So for the first time you will be able to grow delicate varieties which would fail in ordinary pots in most rooms, and yet the maintenance work involved is much less. Watering takes places every few weeks or even not at allbecause the system is enclosed and the moisture re-circulates.

There are danger points - waterlogging is fatal to the plants inside and the container must be kept well away from direct sunlight. Misting-over can be a nuisance; remove the cork or cover until the glass is clear.

Download Terrarium instructions