unit 21 terrariums. what is a terrarium? it is a container that usually is covered in which plants...

Unit 21 Terrariums

What is a Terrarium?

• It is a container that usually is covered in which plants are grown in.

• The original terrarium was developed by Dr Nathaniel Ward, a 19th century English Surgeon.


• As a result of His discovery, Ward began experienmenting with growing plants in different containers and sizes. Then He developed the Wardian Case which turned into the modern terrarium that we see today.


• Terrariums were used for two things:– 1.Transporting of Tropical Flowers that need

protection against the wind and other forces of nature.

– 2. Growing plants and designing a landscape effect in a room for decoration.

Selecting a Container

• When selecting a Container there are Five things that need to be consider.– 1. Location of the terrarium. A terrarium needs to

harmonize with and accent the furnishings and materials in that surrounding

– 2.Size of the Terrarium. Size should be chosen in the relation to the size of the area.


– 3. Color of the Glass The chosen glass must allow sufficient light to reach the plants so that photosynthesis can occur. Dark glass should be avoided.

– 4. Size of the container opening. The size of the opening in the container limits the type of plant which may be used


– 5. Condition of the container. Check to be sure the container is free from cracks or scratches. It should also be clean and dry

Preparing the Container for Planting

• Several layers of materials are placed in the terrarium in preparation for planting. These include a layer of drainage material sphagnum moss, charcoal. And soil mix


– 1. Drainage Material Proper drainage is important to allow the movement of the excess water through the root zone area.

– Drainage in terrariums can be provided by crushed stone, pea gravel, washed river gravel or pieces of broken clay pots.

– The drainage materials are placed directly on the bottom of the container that you have selected


– 2. Sphagnum moss and charcoal. Sphagnum moss is composed of sterile leaf and stem tissue from acid bog plants . You will need to spread a layer of moss over the drainage material in the container The main purpose of the moss is to prevent the soil mixture from seeping into the drainage layer . Then you will place a thin layer of activated charcoal over the moss to absorb any odors in the terrarium.


– 3. Soil Mixture : You will then place the soil mixture over the charcoal layer. You will need to use potting soil with the proper mixture of perlite and make sure that it is sterile soil. If you chose to use just regular dirt from your yard you will then have to put your dirt on a small cookie sheet and bake it for 30 minutes at about 180 degrees.

Selecting Plants for the Terrarium

• You will need to look at the size and shape of the terrarium and make a good observation on what size plant will work the best in your terrarium.


• Types of Plants:– 1. Cactus and Succulents: These require a natural

desert conditions and full sun. They don’t require much humidity so an open container would work best.


– 2. Woodland Plants: Are native to the forest and woods. The woodland plants would require similar conditions to tropical plants. They also require dense shade, soil with high organic content and good supply of moisture.


3 Topical Plants: They respond favorably to a more humid type of terrarium than either cacti or woodland plants since their natural environment is the moist tropical regions

Planting the Terrarium

• You will read pages 201 to 204 You will need to read up to Caring for a Terrarium.

Caring for a Terrarium

• After planting the Terrarium it will need to be checked daily. You will need to inspect it for insects, proper light, and moisture and temperature.


• Disorder Symptoms– Musty Odor To control this just add some more

charcoal to absorb the odor– Chlorotic and Stunted Growth of Plants This will

result in improper drainage– Decaying Foliage Will result in improper

ventilation. All you will have to do is set the lid off for a few days.


• Disorder Symptoms– Brown Foliage Indicates that the plants have not

received enough water


• Insects:– Insects that plague terrariums are :– White flies: They are all white with white edged

shaped wings White fly will feed on the underside of the plant

– Mites: Small flies which are difficult to see. To check for mite insert white paper and tap the plant . If you don’t see any bugs than you are fine.


• Insects:– Mealy bugs: They are small flat bugs that look like a

small dot of cotton. Mealy bugs will suck all the life out of a plant. To get rid of the bugs just use a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and rub on the leaves.

– Scale insects: They do the same thing as the Mealy bugs They are brown with a hard shell.


• Insects:– Ants: Will attack a plant by feeding on the roots of

the plant. Will not know if you have ants until the plant starts to die rapidly.


• Other things that you will need watch for are:WateringTemperatureLight (Natural or Artificial)FertilizersPrevent any Diseases

Making your own Terrarium

• What you will do: • You will design about 2-3 terrariums. They will

be made out of pop bottles. You will get bonus points for bringing in you own bottles. What will you need to bring from home is rocks or sand for the drainage and charcoal.

Making your own Terrarium

• As a class we will all study the effect of the different structures and building of each terrarium. You will need to observe them for a week and a half. We will also experiment with Natural and Artificial light.

unit 21 terrariums. what is a terrarium? it is a container that usually is covered in which plants...

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