How to Cut Bottles for Crafts

Photo credit David Guilfoose at http://www.greenwinebottles.com

I've seen lots of lovely terrariums made in bottles which have had the necks cut out in stylish ways.  How hard is this to do at home?  I've found a set of instructions at Natural Home and Garden by Dani Hurst that doesn't look too difficult.  Has anyone tried this before?  Can you share any tips or warnings?

Moss Monday: UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley

A snapped this picture last July in one of the amazing greenhouses at the UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley.  This small botanical garden is perched on the mountains behind the main campus and they sure do have a spectacular array of plants in such a small area of land.  I expected to see it all in less than two hours when I could have easily spent half the day in the three small but wonderful greenhouses and the rest of the afternoon enjoying the terraced gardens catching the lovely bay breeze. I'm heading back with a proper camera next time!

The Violet Barn, Online Plant Supply

In my ongoing coverage of potential online terrarium plant suppliers I share with you today the Violet Barn (https://www.violetbarn.com/).  True to their name, the Violet Barn specializes in all manner of violets (miniature, trailing, standard etc.)  However take a gander at their selection of plants suited for terrarium life and conveniently organized by plants suited for dish gardens and for enclosed terraria. 

Terraria du jour by Robotguy

Peperomia Orba
Pilea Microphylla Prostrata
Selaginella Krausiana Aurea
Syngonium Podophyllum "Berry Allusion"

 

 

I'm excited to share some terrarium photos from F&M reader Jeff.  He informs me the above terrarium contains plants ordered from glasshouseworks.com (for more info see earlier post on glasshouseworks.com).  I love the variety of foliage shapes and sizes combined in one large container.  To see more of his varied terrariums see his flickr photo stream.

Enviro-Cakes: Terrarium in a Cake Stand

I have seen a few bloggers posting reviews of complimentary Enviro-Cake terrariums from Florida-based http://envirocakes.com.  I have to admit these look quite cute, savvy, and completely mail-able in kit form.  Has anyone grown an Enviro-Cake?

Inverted "Found Terrarium" Tutorial at Design Sponge

I love the poetry in these inverted glass jar found terrariums, depicted in a tutorial by Amy Merrick on Design Sponge.  I think these would make great centerpieces for an event but I sincerely doubt they would live very long in such an enclosed environment sans air circulation.

If you'd like to try this project out I suggest two additional steps:

1. Use a drop of bleach when rinsing out containers before use for a terrarium.  And make sure they are bone dry when you start planting them.

2. Everybody hates this step cause it puts a dent in your "afternoon terrarium making" plans but I really cannot recommend it strongly enough when using moss you harvest:

A. Rinse newly harvested moss with fresh water, press lightly on the wet moss to locate pests, trash or unwanted plants in the chunks. 

B. Quarantine rinsed and dried (as in not soaking wet any longer) moss in a "holding tank" for 1-2 weeks so you can watch out for the development of mold.  This can be a dish with a lid partially covering it or a ziplock bag 2/3 sealed shut with a damp paper towel for the moss to rest upon.

For more about washing moss see my earlier post here on the prevention of disease and pests in terraria.

Glasshouse Works - Supplier of Terrarium Plants

As a follow up to last week's Q&A about finding plants suited for terrariums, here is another mail-order option.  Thanks to reader robotguy for the great tip about Glasshouse Works, a supplier out of Stewart, Ohio specializing in items for the home and garden.  The website has a great selection of plants specially recommended for terrariums and even offers a combo pack of small plants suited for smaller terrariums.

A quick google search led me to Hoot Owl Hollow's blog and a lovely description of a visit to Glasshouse Works and has some photos of the greenhouses on site.

Terrarium at Potted Los Angeles

I discovered this hefty terrarium at Jolee Pink's blog Wasabi Green. She describes the Potted store at Los Angeles as a "Gardener's Nirvana" and be sure to visit her blog for a delightful description and set of photos.

Whimsy Reined in at Terrarilicious

Love the addition of the sleeping horse figure in this naturalistic terrarium by Timmy at http://terrarilicious.blogspot.com.  I appreciate the contrast between the unmanicured plant arrangement and the cute decorative element.  And who can deny the adorable My Neighbor Totoro set up in this terrarium/bonsai hybrid:

Q&A: Where to get terrarium plants?

Question: 

I was wondering if you could suggest a site for purchasing small plants for a first terrarium. What plants do you suggest a first timer start with?

Answer: 

Unfortunately I haven't mail ordered plants for terrariums before personally. But I hear very good things about Black Jungle terrarium supply, an online shop that specializes in plants for reptile terrariums. For a description of  Black Jungle terrarium supply and some comments from readers familiar with the shop see my earlier post here. Their plants are well suited to the moist and contained conditions of a decorative terrarium and they even sell variety packs.  

One possible local source of terrarium plants you may not have considered is pet stores that sell plants for lizard/turtle terrariums (I have seen plants occasionally at "big box" pet supply shops like Petco).

For tips on what types of plants to consider see this about.com Container Gardening article by Kerry Michaels for suggestions and photos of terrarium plants.

I would say the most fail-proof and tiny plant on that list is the Baby's Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii).  It would be a great place to start.   Most ferns would also be well suited to terrarium life and I find the Boston Fern to be very hardy albeit tall (10" -12" tall or so).

Let me know how it works out and thanks for your question Jen!

Alapash: Meaningful Terrariums

Chicago based, Marco Chavarry is the creator of Alapash: Meaningful Terrariums. His goal is to create beautiful terrariums with a simple message: "no matter when or where, beauty and serenity are always at reach." I had the opportunity to discuss terrarium making with Marco:

I have always had a fascination for gardening and when I moved to Chicago 11 years ago to a small apartment, I found it very difficult to do it. I have little pots with plants here and there like most people, but one day I decided to try to make a terrarium. It was so rewarding!

To learn more visit http://www.alapash.com/

Hanging Terrarium Vase at CB2

CB2.com, the funky little sister of Crate & Barrel, has a plethora of vases and glass ornament-type containers that look dreamy for terrarium setups.  I cannot personally vouch for the structural stability of these cuties but the price is right at $6.95 each!  Have you had experience with CB2 glass vases for building terrariums?  Let me know!

Hanging Glass Terrarium at CB2.com