Terrarium Frequently Asked Questions Part 2!
The H Potter blog is back with more answers to your questions in the second part of this blog series on terrarium frequently asked questions. In our last article we answered several questions about watering and caring for your terrarium, and today we are continuing to share our knowledge of garden products with you all as we dive back into the wonderful world of Wardian Cases! So without further ado, let’s answer some more questions with the bit of knowledge we have gained over the last 29 years.
What Will I Need To Start My Terrarium?
Once your shiny new
Begin the layering in the base of your terrarium with some light pea gravel. The gravel will sit more loosely in the bottom of the terrarium and will prevent water from soaking into the material at the bottom of the terrarium. After this step, place a layer of sphagnum moss in the terrarium, this layer will absorb the extra water from the soil and maintain the proper balance of humidity in the terrarium so that your plants are neither over or under-watered. The next critical component of your terrarium is a base of activated charcoal. While it may not look it, activated charcoal will be one of the most important pieces in your terrarium's filtration system. The charcoal layer will filter the water as it descends from the soil into the lower layers, cleaning your water for reuse in the water cycle and also preventing any smells from becoming present in your terrarium.
Now that these final layers are in place, simply add your soil and plants to form the final planting surface in your terrarium. Remember that all of the star plants and flowers in your terrarium are unable to flourish without a solid base, so make sure that even the unseen layers of filtration are able to keep your terrarium running smoothly.
All of the star plants and flowers in your terrarium are unable to flourish without a solid base
Where Should I Put My Terrarium?
How much sunlight should your terrarium get? When planning on where you are going to put your terrarium, make sure to have an idea of what kind of plants you will be adding to your system. How much sun do they need each day (be careful putting your plants in full sun all day as the terrarium might work like a magnifying glass) whether that is partial or none at all. Make sure that you take into account the different needs of the plants you consider planting in your terrarium, or select plants based on the location of the terrarium in your home. Nothing can spell failure to grow quicker than an unsuitable climate for your plants.
There’s A Lot of Condensation in My Terrarium, What Does That Mean?
While it is natural for some condensation to exist in your terrarium as the water cycle does its work, make sure that there is not an excessive amount of water in the terrarium. If the terrarium is full of condensation and is creating an overly humid environment, the solution is incredibly simple. Just remove the lid from your terrarium and wipe the condensation from the lid of the wardian case, allow the terrarium to breathe for a few hours and then return the lid to the terrarium while adding a little bit of water to make sure the terrarium maintains the proper atmosphere.
There’s Mold in My Terrarium!
While it’s easy to panic at the presence of mold or another uninvited growth in your terrarium, don’t panic! Much like the issue of condensation, removing mold to restore the balance of your terrarium shouldn’t be too hard. Take the lid off the terrarium and wipe away any mold that might be present in the glass, once the mold is removed gently wash the terrarium with warm water and soap, then rinse with water. While you are letting the terrarium breathe, check your plants, prune back any growth that is covered with mold and observe the base of the terrarium for the presence of mold. Once you have removed the mold from your terrarium, replace the lid, make sure that you are not over watering if your terrarium suffers from mold growth, as the warm environment and over-abundance of water is likely leading to this build up.
Make sure that you are not over-watering if your terrarium suffers from mold growth
Some of the Plants in My Terrarium Don’t Look So Good:
Check what might be wrong with your plants, if they are extra mushy or struggling with mold, clean the terrarium and consider watering a little less. If you have the opposite problem, with the plant drying up or becoming more brittle, consider adding a little more water to prevent your plants from being under watered.
Well, that’s it for our FAQs on Terrariums, hopefully these articles have been helpful to you as you continue your indoor gardening journey. Remember that as you plant using your terrarium to not be afraid of what seems to be a delicate ecosystem, most of the same rules that apply to normal gardening apply when gardening with terrariums, so use that previous knowledge to accomplish the best results, happy gardening!