A terrarium is a type of miniature garden composed of plants, soil, and a container. Most terrariums consist of several layers vital to the health of the contained plants. The layers include:
1. The Bottom Layer – This layer is composed of small stones, pebbles, or gravel. The layer should be 2-3 inches thick. This layer serves several vital functions for the terrarium. It offers a degree of drainage for the soil layers above, which helps prevent your terrarium from becoming waterlogged and ideal conditions for the contained plants.
It also helps in the Nitrogen cycle of the terrarium.
2. The Charcoal Layer – This layer serves as an additional form of filtration. The charcoal helps to both filter out impurities from the water and odors from the terrarium. The charcoal should be about an inch thick.
3. The Soil Layer – This is the layer which will house the plants. Make sure to not use regular potting soil as this is often too dense and has fertilizers added. A better soil mixture would be a mixture of equal parts peat moss, vermiculite, and potting soil.
4. The Moss Layer – The final layer of the terrarium is a sheet of moss. The moss helps to hold moisture and can serve as a further form of filtration. This layer is only necessary if you are creating a moss terrarium.
If you are setting up a fern or succulent terrarium, then this layer is unnecessary.
How thick should terrarium layers be?
The thickness of your terrarium layers will depend on the type of terrarium you are building as well as the type of plants and/or animals you are housing. For a basic soil-based terrarium, it’s typically recommended to use between one and three inches of soil on the bottom, followed by one inch of charcoal, then one to two inches of gravel.
The top layer should have 1 to 2 inches of soil for succulent terrariums, 1 to 2 inches of sand for a desert terrarium, and 3 to 4 inches of soil for a tropical terrarium. If you are adding moss or live plants to your terrarium, it is recommended to use one to two inches of soil as the top layer to support their growth.
For aquarium-style terrariums without plants, you can use up to four inches of gravel or marine sand as the base. You should also add an inch of charcoal and one to two inches of substrate to the top to ensure proper filtration.
How do you build a terrarium level?
Building a terrarium level can be a fun and rewarding project. The first step is to decide what type of terrarium level you would like to create. There are two main types: closed and open. A closed terrarium is enclosed and uses the water cycle, whereas an open terrarium has more ventilation and tends to be less complicated.
Once you have determined the type of terrarium level you would like to create, you can begin gathering the necessary supplies. Depending on your project, you will need some type of container (ideally made from glass or plastic), a humidifying agent such as charcoal, moss, or sphagnum, a substrate such as moist soil, and plants.
It’s also a good idea to have a thermometer, humidity gauge, and a ventilation system.
The next step is to create the terrarium level. Start by laying down the humidifying agent, such as charcoal or moss, in the container and making sure it is well distributed. Then, put down the soil or substrate and lightly moisten.
Now, you can arrange your plants in the terrarium. Make sure they get enough space and air circulation so they can grow and thrive.
After you have arranged and planted your terrarium level, you can add any decorative touches such as stones, moss, and pebbles. Finally, make sure the terrarium is placed in a shaded or semi-shaded area and that the humidity and temperature are appropriate for your plant’s needs.
Once you have completed these steps, you have successfully created a terrarium level!.
Do you really need a drainage layer for terrarium?
Yes, it is necessary to have a drainage layer of some type in a terrarium. This is because it prevents water from pooling and possibly damaging the plants or substrates in the terrarium, and also because it helps keep oxygen levels high and prevents root rot.
The drainage layer is typically composed of materials such as gravel, pumice, lava rock, foam peanuts, or foam rubber. It is necessary to include a layer of material between the substrate and the drainage layer to ensure that water flows freely and drains away properly.
This layer can be made of soil, sphagnum moss, or even coco coir. The drainage layer should be thick enough to offer sufficient drainage but not so thick as to impede the roots of the plants from accessing the moisture below.
How do you layer an enclosed terrarium?
Layering an enclosed terrarium is relatively easy but it does require having the right materials to work with. The first step is to start off with 5-6 inches of soil, potting mix, or moss as the bottom layer.
This layer should include organic material such as compost, fertilizer, and any other amendments you wish to include. Next, you will add a layer of drainage material such as gravel or charcoal. This layer should be between 2-3 inches deep, and while optional, it is highly recommended as it helps regulate water and oxygen levels, as well as prevent unhealthy levels of water accumulation in the terrarium.
After that, you will layer any decorative materials like stones, pebbles, or other rocks that you want to add in. This layer also helps facilitate proper drainage and should be 2-3 inches deep. After that, you can add in your moss or other live plants that you want to include in the terrarium, making sure to leave space near any drainage holes.
Finally, you can add another 1-2 inches of soil or potting mix to cover any roots and provide the plants with a stable environment.
How do you create a drainage layer?
A drainage layer is a layer of permeable material, such as gravel, rocks, or sand, which is used to allow water to be dispersed away from a building or structure. The drainage layer should be placed underneath the structure in order to divert excess water and provide drainage.
The drainage layer should be bordered on the sides with a filter fabric that prevents soil, mulch, and other debris from entering and clogging the drainage layer.
First, determine the size and shape of the drainage layer. The size of the drainage layer will vary depending on the soil type, drainage needs, and type of structure being built. Commonly, the layer is four inches deep and extends two to three feet outside of the structure.
Next, the drainage layer should be installed. The layer should be made up of a mixture of clean gravel, rocks, and sand. The mixture should be tamped down and leveled before being covered with the filter fabric.
The filter fabric should be secured to the sides of the drainage layer. This should be done with heavy-duty staples, an electric stapler, or with piping pins. Make sure the fabric is tightly secured, as this will prevent soil and other materials from entering the drainage layer.
Finally, the area should be covered with soil or backfill to seal the area and prevent the material from eroding. Make sure backfill is compacted, as this will provide additional stability to the underlying drainage layer.
Once the drainage layer is installed and covered, it can provide the structure with last drainage for many years.
What kind of soil do you use for a terrarium?
The best kind of soil to use for a terrarium is a combination of lightweight potting mix, compost, and coarse sand in equal parts. This mixture will allow water to flow freely through the soil, while still providing essential water-holding capacity and nutrient retention that plants need.
It’s important to note that terrariums require soil that is free of weed seeds, chemical fertilizers, and disease to avoid problems. To ensure a clean and healthy environment, use a sterilized mix of soil from a nursery or garden center and avoid topsoil from outside, as it could contain weed seeds and disease.
Additionally, you can also mix in horticultural charcoal and/or fine gravel for improved aeration and drainage. When adding these last two components, use about 1/4 cup for a one-gallon container. Lastly, one of the most important things to keep in mind when creating a terrarium is the light.
To ensure the health of your terrarium and its inhabitants, it’s essential to provide bright, indirect light.
How often do I water my terrarium?
It depends on the type of terrarium you have created and the plants that are inside it. Generally, terrariums need to be watered every 1-2 weeks. However, it is important to monitor your terrarium and look for signs that it may need to be watered more frequently, such as wilting plants or dry soil.
In a closed terrarium (where the lid is sealed), you may not need to water as often because the moisture is more likely to stay trapped inside. If you have an open terrarium, you may need to water more often because it is exposed to more temperature fluctuations and dry air.
When watering your terrarium, spray the soil lightly and evenly with water. If needed, you can use a mister spray bottle for better distribution. If you notice condensation forming on the inside of the glass, you are likely over-watering.
Lastly, it is important to choose the right type of plants for the conditions of your terrarium in order for plants to thrive.
Should terrariums be open or closed?
The answer to whether a terrarium should be open or closed depends on the type of plants, humidity levels, and climate. Generally, terrariums should always have some form of ventilation, so keeping them open for at least part of the day is a good option.
If the terrarium has more moisture-loving plants, like ferns, mosses, and some tropical varieties, keeping them closed is better as it helps to maintain a higher humidity level. Closed terrariums also limit the amount of light they receive, making them ideal for plants that don’t require a lot of direct sunlight, like succulents.
On the other hand, open terrariums with semi-arid plants, like cacti, will benefit from the combination of air circulation, direct sunlight, and occasional watering. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your goals and the type of plants you’re keeping.
How does a closed terrarium not run out of co2?
A closed terrarium does not run out of carbon dioxide (CO2) because plants produce oxygen and use CO2 in a process known as photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants take in CO2 through tiny openings in their leaves and use the carbon to make glucose and other compounds.
This process releases oxygen into the terrarium and cycles the carbon back into the atmosphere. Since the environment of a terrarium is closed, the photosynthesis cycle is in a continuous state, meaning the CO2 levels are constantly being replenished.
Additionally, not all of the carbon dioxide produced by the plants goes back into the atmosphere, as the plants use some of the CO2 to power their cells, keeping a balanced level of the gas in the terrarium.
What can I add to my terrarium?
You can add a variety of different plants, animals, and other decorations to your terrarium. Plants can include mosses, small succulents, ferns, and even carnivorous plants such as pitcher plants which remove pests from their environment.
Animals are often frogs, lizards, turtles, or even small insects such as snails or millipedes. You can also add some soil and rocks for a natural feel and create a terrarium with a small pond. If you’d like, you can also add some decorations to the terrarium, such as a small Statue, small figurines, or anything else that you think will fit the ecosystem.
What crystal makes plants grow?
Certain types of crystals, such as quartz and selenite, have been linked to aiding in plant growth when placed near the plant’s soil or roots. Quartz is especially beneficial for helping increase the amount of light available for the plant’s photosynthesis process.
Selenite is believed to help improve the plant’s metabolism and circulation, as well as removing toxins from the area where the plant is located. It’s also believed to provide additional spiritual support to the plant.
Additionally, certain types of jade are believed to aid plant growth by providing an extra boost of energy. It’s also said to help draw out negative energy and replace it with positive energy. One should be careful, however, to not overdo it with the crystals.
Too much energy can be a bad thing, just as too little. The key is finding the right balance that works best for the individual plant. In addition to crystals, amethyst and shungite are said to help promote healthy plant growth.
