Starting Your New Terrarium

Now that's I've whet your appetite for a terrarium,
(see last week's BloomerBlog post)
where do you begin?
With only a few simple rules to follow,
terrariums are really a fun way to garden indoors.

To begin, select a container. Almost anything will do.
It should be watertight-remember that your terrarium will be generating moisture on it's own.
Most plants will require a cover of some type as well,
which maintains the humid environment.
This is your chance to be creative!

When you're ready to plant, first lay down a base of horticultural charcoal.
(No, not briquets from the BBQ!).
This is an important step, helping to keep the soil sweet,
providing drainage,and preventing root rot.

Next, the soil. Your plants will only be as successful as the soil mix they are potted in.
It's easy to test the consistency by squeezing a ball of soil in your hand-
if it clumps together, it's too heavy.
A soil that falls apart easily will be appreciated!
Hint: Chopsticks are a great tool to use in
positioning items within your container.

Plants will be the most important selection you make for your new terrarium.
Rock-garden or desert plants would not do well in this humid environment.
But there are dozens and dozens of plants that will love this new home.
Look for cuties like Begonia, Bromeliad, Pepperomia,
ferns, mosses, and ornamental grasses, to name just a few.

Then you can have lots of fun selecting the decorative bits...
artificial mushrooms, tiny houses, fanciful bugs, even elves!

When selecting a place in your home for your terrarium,
be sure to site it out of direct sunlight.
Remember, light entering this glass container will be magnified!
Bright, indirect light is your key to success.

Of course, if you're rather just bring one of these beauties home, ready-made,
we now have them, here at Bloomers!

Bloomers Floral Design
122 South Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-815-8585
www.BloomersWilmington.com