I finally decided to build (create) a terrarium– several, as a matter of fact. Does this ever happen to you? You want to do something specific but take your sweet time getting around doing it? There is always, and will always be, tons of things that are necessary (obligations and work) to tackle, so why not take some time to do what you’ve always wanted to do? Make plans to actually do whatever it is that you’d like to try or something you’ve always wanted to do. That is what I did. I gathered, washed, and dried a collection of river pebbles and grabbed an old punch bowl. It was without its matching cups to complete the set and I figured I’d put it to good use instead of it taking up space on a dusty shelf in the cellar. I have another bowl that is part of a complete set. It’s a beautiful one that I use now that is every bit an antique; and on those special occasions during the holidays, I bring it out for its intended use.
To prevent the terrarium smelling like a swamp in the upcoming months, I put some activated charcoal over the pebbles. Here’s a simple suggestion: Go to your local pharmacy and purchase the capsules if you cannot find activated charcoal for vegetables just anywhere. Not kidding– capsules that absorb toxins that cause flatus and gas, lol… So you probably don’t have to travel far, right?
I chose succulents to plant, putting a layer of cactus soil over the pebbles. Just build layers and plant, partially place dirt around the plants for a dry terrarium that does not require a glass lid for a greenhouse effect.
I went with a red Bromeliad that will put on flowers, and I cannot wait to see the vibrant color that it will soon bloom into– I think it might be purple. I placed the entire thing over a vintage baking pan to catch any sprays of water lightly misted once a week. I will not drench it with too much moisture.
Pine cones from the back yard make a nice edging for this arrangement.
From an extra-large glass flour canister with a lid, I decided to transfer the flour into another container, convert the canister into a moist terrarium for a miniature fern, red Begonia, and African violet. I did the same with the base as the one before, but using a good peat moss of Miracle Grow Perlite brand enrichment added for good aeration that helps prevent soil compaction which is recommended for plants and soil. Chunks of pine bark on the soil gave it a finished touch before placing the glass lid back on, then set in a well-lit room.
In an antique Atlas jar, 1 1/2 to 2 gallons in size, I chose to make a dry terrarium for Christmas cactus and two types of succulents with added pine bark chunks and seashells– even an old lapel pin. These are the shells my firstborn found on a Florida beach. The pin resembles a plant in the ocean, its shape with peril ends. This terrarium is my favorite because of what my son gathered as a child. I still remember watching him pick up those shells just as vividly now as it was then. You don’t want to miss out on summer and doing the things that children like to do. Things that create beautiful memories of their youth that they need to have later in life to reflect upon and cherish. You know you always will. I gave this one to him. It’s got a couple of purplish-blue shells in the jar, too.
An orchid terrarium– cactus soil with charcoal chips from the potted orchid in a tall glass vase is used… This large sea shell helps to steady the long stem as well as give it a beautiful look. My children like to “listen to the ocean” once in a while by holding the shell up to their ears. It might look overly large for this size of glass, but sometimes that’s neat in home decor, mixing different sizes to assemble. I paired a modern vintage-style shade with an antique lamp. Mix the classic pieces with contemporary additions to achieve a balance– It makes a nice arrangement.
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