From The Straits Times    |
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If you don’t exactly have a green thumb, not enough space for a garden but still want some greenery in your house or office, then try making your own terrarium. Simply put, it’s growing a plant in an enclosed space. Terrariums require very little care as the air in the container is constantly recycled, meaning you probably only need to water it once a month or lesser – great for busy individuals.

We picked up the simple steps and tips at the recent Singapore Garden Festival from Wilson Wong, the head of National Parks Board’s Horticulture Management

MATERIALS

Clear plastic or glass container. Wilson suggests using those plastic containers which Chinese New Year goodies come in.

Small potted plant. Look for those that thrive in damp environments and grow slowly as there’s a lot of moisture (it’s 100 per cent humidity) and limited space in a terrarium. Ferns and mosses are good, especially Asian Water Ferns, Selaginellas, Fittonias and Pitcher Plants. We chose a pink Fittonia for our own terrarium.

Charcoal. This will form the first layer of the terrarium, called the ‘drainage layer’ because it drains the excess water from the second layer of soil, ensuring that the roots don’t rot.

Soil.  Please don’t go digging around your estate. Instead, ask for regular potting mix at a nursery which is made especially for growing plants in pots.

Colourful rocks or decorations.  This will form the 3rd decorative layer. You can look for these at an aquarium shop too.

Terrarium kits with all these materials are available at The Garden Shop at the Vistor Centre of the Singapore Botanic Gardens (Tel: 6471 7501) for $29.90. We bought one and it took less than 15 minutes to put everything together.

STEPS

1. Pour in the charcoal.

2. Pour in about half the soil you have and make a small dent in the centre.

3. Massage the plastic pot your plant comes in to loosen the soil. Form a cutting motion with your fingers and grab the plant. Turn it over and slowly take it out.

4. Place the plant in the small dent you made in the soil. Break up the plant and soil if it’s too big. Try adding in another type of plant for more colour.

5. Pour in the rest of the soil around your plant and place the decorative rocks. Add in any other special items you’d like.

6. Using a bottle with a spray nozzle, spray your plant and soil about 20 to 30 times. Don’t forget to spray the leaves to clean them of the soil you just poured in. Wipe the rest ofyour terrarium clean. Close the lid. Monitor it over the next week – if you see condensation on the inside, you’ve successfully built your own terrarium as this means the plant has started its water cycle.

More tips

  • Make sure anything you put in is clean and free of diseases and pests or the environment in your terrarium will get contaminated. Wash and dry items under the sun to sterilise them first.
  • If you didn’t use all of your potted plant you can place them back in their pots, pour in more potting mix and grow them like regular plants.
  • When your plant starts getting too big for the container, you can prune the leaves with a pair of small scissors.
  • Don’t place your terrarium in sunlight, it’d be like a steamer for your plant.
  • Aside from the above-mentioned plants, try Money Plants or African Violets if you’d like to have some greenery on your office desk as they don’t need direct sunlight. Another fun item: Marimo Balls or Algae Balls (pictured below) which grow in small bottles.