Terrarium instructions

Remember all those bottles & jars from the auction?  Well, I've been having the best time transforming them into moss terrariums.  The kids helped a bit but, after one or two, they lost interest.  I, on the other hand, peacefully sat and made about a dozen of them. serious therapy.

Supply List:

• Pea rock.  Rinsed and still wet
• Potting soil.
• Moss
• Dry sphagnum moss.
• Assorted spoons and skewers.
• Assorted Jars with covers

Fill a clean jar, about 1/4 to 1/3 full of (still wet) pea rock.  I use wet rock because it seems to be just enough moisture to start out the terrarium.  It's easy to over water, so I just start with wet the rock and skip watering completely.

On top of the rock, add a very thin layer of dry sphagnum moss.  It's purpose is to help keep the soil from settling into the rocks.  It's easiest if you pre-shape it. If you just push it into the jar, you'll have stray dry strands sticking out all over the place.  Take a small amount, flatten between your hands, then fold under the strays so that you have a circle of sphagnum...like a sphagnum pizza. lol.  Place it into the jar on top of the rocks.

Add potting soil, about an inch deep.

Now you're ready for your green moss.  I keep about 1/2 to 3/4 inch of original dirt attached to the bottom of the moss chunk.  If there's a small plant growth in the moss, like grass or a tiny weed, I leave it, just to see what happens.  Drop it into the jar and use spoons or skewers to position it. Once positioned, gently push it into the potting soil.  This is a good time to be handy with chopsticks.

You can add some larger rocks, marbles, or broken shards of terra cotta pots for "decoration" but it's not required of course. 

Cover and place in bright, indirect, sunlight. 

In about a day or so, your terrarium may look like it's about to rain.  I leave it be for several days and see if it adjusts its moisture content on its own.  If it still looks too wet after 5 days, take the cover off for a few hours, then replace it.

It should be wet and start regulating itself but with a new terrarium, the goal is to avoid mold growth. Once it finds its own balance, watering will be rare. 

Sources:
Pea rock.  I got a gallon bucket from the garden supply center for 40 cents but you can find it at playgrounds or pet shops too.
Moss.  Check the northside of your own house, along the foundation, you may find a little pocket of moss.  Otherwise, head for a creek bed or heavily wooded forrest.  Some garden centers will sell it too.
Sphagnum.  I raided a handful from the fake ficus tree stuffed in the corner. lol.  Also available at craft shops and garden centers. 

After they're a couple of weeks old, you should know if they're going to make it and can start sharing them with friends.  They'll live and die and change, so don't be discouraged, just plant another.

Comments

[Winston]

Anybody interested on the history of this little hobby? I've seen a site talking about it here :

http://www.siakoi.com/recreation/hobbies/terrariums-glass-gardens.html

[Wendy Gibson]

Your beautiful photo caught my eye first and then I just had to post a link to you on my blog (and kinda swap the photo...is that okay?)! Thanks for such great instructions! Your food is adorable!

Cheers!

[Wendy Gibson]

I totally meant to say "swipe"! I guess I can't find my tired lol!

See you soon!

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[Vickie]

These are beautiful! I have a question, though. Is what grows just coming out of the moss? You don't plant any additional plants with it?

[wool food mama]

Thanks Vickie. In this terrarium, there was a wild violet in the middle of the moss clump so I just planted the whole thing as one.

You can experiment around. Drop in some seeds, maybe add some grass.

I had some moss and grass together once and had to snip the grass from time to time because it would try to get out the top.

Finally, sometimes there are naturally occurring "extras" in the moss that bloom later.

Katie

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Terrariunm looks very nice and non ordinary.

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