Seems like everyone is selling or making terrariums anymore, so why not me too? I have looked at them a few times but never bought one. Knowing that, and that I think cut flowers are a waste of money, my husband got me a terrarium for Valentine's Day this year, instead of my normal potted plant. He picked it up at Rhoad's Garden in Montgomeryville, PA.
After that, I was hooked. Two weeks later, I attended an hour long class at the same greenhouse and came home with another terrarium, same shape, different plants.
If you live in the area and are interested in plant or plant related decor, check out the rest of their classes! I am holding off for now, but at some point I want to attend the bonsai course.
That wasn't enough though. I convinced my dad to part with a couple of old jars he had and bought some Phalaenopsis Orchids, a maidenhair fern, a frosty fern, and 2 small, so far unidentified plants (my biggest gripe with ALL greenhouses in this area is their lack of plant identification).
These are the plants I have in my window. The 2 foliage plants in the middle were my mom's. the one in the back she had at her office, and the one in the front was a gift while she was sick. The candle toppers on each side were also hers. The little stone bird was a gift from my husband for our 2nd anniversary last year.
Today, I had the itch again and went out while the hubby was fishing. This one I managed to document for you.
You need to have some horticulture charcoal for the bottom of the terrarium. This will help filter any water that gets down there and keep it from smelling. Since this one was only going to have a single orchid, I found a mini Phalaenopsis at Ott's greenhouse in Schwenksville, then drove over to Michael's to find a container. I stumbled on some jade pieces while I was there and got them as well.
I laid out everything I needed. I mixed Orchid bark mix and Orchid moss, mostly for the look it would create in the brandy style container I picked, but I am also hoping that the moss will hold water well and the moss and bark will provide a good mix of nutrients. The container in front has my charcoal, and there are 3 bags of different sized rocks. Make sure you wear gloves.
Wash your container, to remove any dust or anything else that may be harmful to your plants. Your best bet is to use only water to prevent any contamination.
Next, pour the charcoal into the bottom of the container, to create a thin layer.
Next I added some of the bark. I also set some of the larger stones around the edge.
After soaking the moss in water to re-hydrate it, I added a good layer of it on top of the bark.
Now, time to add the orchid. After removing it from the pot it came in, I slightly separated the roots before placing it into the middle of the container.
To hold down the moss, and for a finished look, I set a few of the larger river stones around the top. Next I sprinkled a few of the small pebbles around the top.
I still wasn't happy with the look, so I filled in the space between the stones and pebbles with the pieces of jade I got. I really like the effect it created.
Finished and in it's place of honor. Its actually right next to the rest of the plants in the window. I may need to move some of the others once the summer is in full swing, because most of them do not like direct light. For now, they seem to be doing good though.
