Terrariums

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Terrariums
Original by Nancy Williams Modified by Georgia
Agricultural Education Curriculum Office July,
2002
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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.

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What is a Terrarium?

• 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.

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What is a Terrarium?

• 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.

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Selecting a Container

• When selecting a Container there are Five things
  that need to be considered
• 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.

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Selecting a Container

• 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

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Selecting a Container

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

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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

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Preparing the Container for Planting

• 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

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Preparing the Container for Planting

• 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.

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Preparing the Container for Planting

• 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.

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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.

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Selecting Plants for the Terrarium

• Types of Plants
• 1. Cactus and Succulents These require a
  natural desert conditions and full sun. They
  dont require much humidity so an open container
  would work best.

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Selecting Plants for the Terrarium

• 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.

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Selecting Plants for the Terrarium

• 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

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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.

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Caring for a Terrarium

• 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.

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Caring for a Terrarium

• Disorder Symptoms
• Brown Foliage - Indicates that the plants have
  not received enough water

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Caring for a Terrarium

• Insects
• Insects that plague terrariums are
• White flies They are all white with white edged
  wings. White flies will feed on the underside of
  the plant
• Mites Small flies which are difficult to see.
  To check for mites insert white paper and tap
  the plant. If you dont see any bugs than you are
  fine.

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Caring for a Terrarium

• 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, 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.

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Caring for a Terrarium

• 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.

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Caring for a Terrarium

• Other things that you will need watch for are
• Watering
• Temperature
• Light (Natural or Artificial)
• Fertilizers
• Prevent any Diseases