Plastic 14" Polycarbonate Terrarium

2-PIECE TERRARIUMS - Create your own indoor self-contained garden. Our terrariums offer a year-round "window" on the gardening world. Safer than glass and durable, they generate the moisture necessary to keep the garden growing. 14" dia. Polycarbonate Terrarium

A terrarium is nothing more than a miniature self-contained greenhouse, and you can create your own from any type of covered glass or plastic container (like WirthCo's polycarbonate terrariums). The key to successful terrarium culture is keeping the lid on to maintain the humidity. Once the terrarium has been planted, the humidity inside will keep plants moist, so they require very little care. Whatever the container, a tight-fitting top is crucial (like with WirthCo's terrariums!). A successful terrarium must have adequate drainage, with a layer of material under the soil to prevent the roots from standing in water. African violets, hypoestes, ivy, ferns and other moisture-loving indoor plants make good choices for a terrarium planting. Within a year or two, all plants will eventually outgrow the terrarium environment and need to be transplanted. Miniature varieties can remain in the terrarium a little longer. Here's how to plant your own terrarium. Materials: WirthCo's Terrarium (Container and lid) Sheet moss Pea gravel Potting soil Peat moss Sand Perlite Slow-release fertilizer Newspaper Small plants of your choice Spray-mist bottle Lay sheets of moss on the bottom of the container, and follow with a layer of pea gravel. Mix a sterile growing medium made from potting soil, peat moss, sand and perlite. Add a slow-release fertilizer to the mix. Pour the soil into the terrarium. If the opening is small, make a funnel of rolled newspaper to keep the sides of the glass clean. Plant the terrarium, then mist it with a spray bottle until water droplets run down the sides of the glass. Cover the container, and place it in a bright location that receives indirect light. Terrariums are wonderful, magical environments. Decorative, attractive, and easy to care for, just plant and forget. Because terrariums recycle their moisture, they need very little attention. A closed terrarium can often go a month or more between watering. They actually thrive on neglect! Now even people who tend to neglect plants can develop a "Green Thumb". Choose a terrarium that is large enough to accomodate the plants, and has a cover, lid, or door to keep the moisture from escaping. Jars, bottles, and aquariums are some of the more common containers used. More elaborate designs made from Acrylic Plastic (or better yet, Polycarbonate Plastic, like WirthCo's Terrariums). Leaded and Stained Glass, and Glass Block, can add an elegant touch to your home decor. Whatever the container, a humble pickle jar, or a Contemporary Glass Sculpture, you can bring an easy to care for touch of nature into you home. Many plants do well in terrariums, and it is best to choose the ones that will fit the size of the container. Slower growing plants require less trimming, and are less likely to take over. If you are willing to pay more attention to them, you can experiment with more aggressive plants. They require more frequent trimming, but will allow you to have more variety in your terrarium. If you follow these instructions, you will see how easy it is to create and enjoy these miniature eco-systems. Making a terrarium is also a wonderful way for children to learn about nature. Other Planting Instructions: Place a 1/2 inch layer of small gravel in bottom. Sprinkle some activated charcoal on top. ( Optional ) Fill to proper height with a good draining potting soil. If soil "clumps" when squeezed, add some Perlite, or Vermiculite to lighten it up. These can usually be found in garden shops. Install plants. The number will depend on the size of the plants, and the container. Don't overplant. Leave room to grow. Push the soil aside, place a plant in the depression, and firm the soil around it. Repeat for each plant. Water lightly. ( 3 or 4 ounces ) Care: Neglect It! Water lightly only after it gets dry once every few weeks, depending on conditions. NEVER OVERWATER! Place in a bright area, but not in direct sunlight. You should have enough light to read by. When plant gets as big as you want, pinch off the newest growth to encourage bushier growth. Then Enjoy! Do not fertilize. As the nutrients get used up the plant's growth will slow down, helping to keep them under control. Over time the soil can be "refreshed" by scraping off the top layer of soil, and adding some fresh potting soil. This will add a small amount of nutrient, as well as freshening up it's appearance. Some plants suitable for terrariums are: Pilea ( Aluminum Plant ) Fittonia ( Nerve Plant ) Ardisia Podocarpus ( Buddhist Pine ) Aeschynanthus ( Lipstick Plant ) Baby Tears ( Very aggressive grower! ) Very small ferns Miniature African Violets Coffee Plant Creeping Charlie Boxus (Boxwood) Wandering Jew (Aggressive Grower) Creeping Fig (Aggressive Grower) Mosses Plants for Open Terrariums ( Uncovered ) Ivy Pepperomia