Realistically for many city dwellers the amount of space needed and plant nurturing time required means that a large and lush outdoor green space remains a dream or wish. If you still want a little bit of decorative green that does not require also minimal maintenance, then a terrarium indefinitely a satisfying alternative.
So what is a terrarium? Basically its a sealable glass container containing soil and plants (usually of the ‘tropical’ variety), and can be easily opened to access the plants inside for ongoing care and maintenance.
By being inside this container, the plants create their own self-watering ecosystem by trapping the water and moisture produced from evaporation inside the glass jar, and it also acts as a greenhouse.
There are many places to purchase your own terrariums which are pre-made, but more intriguing was the idea that you could make your own and in many cases, the costs of workshops are similar prices to outright purchase.
Given that we love doing things and working with plants is said to have positive therapeutic impact on mental states and that making your own means you have more input into the design and style, there was no doubt that the make your own workshop was the best choice!
We booked a make your own terrarium workshop. This one was organised by (Jar & Fern, and led by Will one of the firms founders. Will started off with a brief history lesson about terrariums, their origins in the Victorian ages and then we looked at some of the pictures of different terrarium styles and even one of the largest at a time in the UK, that was kept under the stairs!
Onto the making, we examined all our supplies including:
– Clean glass container that be be sealed or closed
– Handful of small rocks or gravel
– Activated Charcoal
– General potting soil
– Two or three moisture and humidity-loving or tropical climate plants (e.g. ferns)
– Larger pebbles for decoration
– Small scissors for pruning/trimming the plants
– Stick and Cork for making space and patting down the soil
First step was to fill the base of the jar with the small gravel rocks to about an inch or so. This acts as a draining layer to allow water to drip through and prevents the roots’ from being too saturated.
Spread a layer of activated charcoal over the gravel rocks. The charcoal helps to prevent mold.
Next, add the soil mix to the jarin a two to three inch layer or so. the general potting soil should cleaner and have less bugs.
Gently separate your chosen plants and tidy up the roots, make small holes in your soil layer for roots of the plants to go into and carefully plant your plants in the soil.
Pat down the soil and level out your terrarium, before placing some decorative rocks for the additional wow.
Lightly mist with water all around the jar or add a few drops of water directly in.
That’s it all done.
What was also great to see at the end of the session was to look around and see the different interpretations and looks of the rest of the groups jars. We all made out finishing touches and started discussing where we would end up placing them at home. Our instructor reminded us about the care tips for the terrariums, no direct sunlight (that will cook the plants), trim any dead leaves plants, check for bugs and too much moisture (may need to open for a short time).
The workshops are a great idea to spend some time with friends, family or colleagues and you get to leave with a beautiful piece that will bring some outdoor life into the house; that doesn’t take up too much space; that is mostly self- sustaining with minimal mist and pruning touch-ups required.
I have since learnt that you can also have open terrariums, usually with succulent plants, i shall have to investigate making an open terrarium too!
