Terrarium is an ecosystem discovered over 150 years ago by the English physician Nathaniel Ward. He placed butterfly pupae (the stage in which the caterpillar closes to undergo metamorphosis) and soil in a glass container to analyze the insect's development and closed it. To the doctor's astonishment, the experiment gave rise to plants that were born and survived without any care.
Beautiful and easy to care for, terrariums have become decoration trends. They can be open or closed, last for years and are great for small environments. Do you want to make a terrarium but find it difficult? So, check out our step-by-step guide.
First tip: choose plants with the same characteristics, for example, do not mix succulents, which need little water with species that need a lot of water, such as the princess earring. Mosses, azaleas and carnivorous plants are the most suitable.
You will need:
- Transparent glass container, it can be an aquarium or a bomboniere, as long as it has a wide mouth and a height of 25 centimeters;
- Clean cloth and alcohol;
- Vegetable soil with fertilizer;
- Gravel or pebbles;
- Crushed charcoal so the roots don't rot and avoid bad smells;
- gardening tools;
- River stones, españolas to decorate;
- Water sprayer.
How to do it?
- Clean the inside of the glass with alcohol;
- Wash the gravel or pebbles, mix charcoal and cover the bottom of the container;
- Add two fingers of vegetable soil;
- Make way for the plants, arrange them and cover with soil;
- Place moss or gravel over the soil to preserve moisture;
- Place the decorative stones;
- Spray water against the glass wall.
watering the terrarium
- Water only when the soil is dry, for that, look under the glass;
- Remove dry leaves and prune overgrown plants;
Observation: if the terrarium is open, water every two days.
sun exposure
Terrariums cannot be exposed to direct sunlight.
Where to buy?
See sites to buy your terrarium:
Os Mini Mundos: The store only delivers in the city of São Paulo
Jardim SP: The site sells terrariums in necklace pendants. It can be paid in up to 3 installments.
Zarium Terrariums: The site sells terrariums closed in skull-shaped containers and also open and in the mini version. The store only sells to São Paulo and Greater São Paulo and there is the possibility to withdraw in person. In addition to debit and credit cards, the site also makes bank slips.
The terrariums are beautiful and do not give work. Follow our step by step and make yours. If you prefer, enter our website tips and buy yours.
Text written by Sumaia de Santana Salgado from the Eu Sem Fronteiras Team
