Make a Terrarium - The Basics
Terrarium Making is a great pastime and there are a lot of creative options you have when wanting to make one. You can make a simple dish terrarium, a soda bottle terrarium or any of very many different attractive and fun terrariums. Here are some guidelines and tips for making lots of different and creative ones.
What is a Terrarium
A terrarium is a miniature self contained world of plants. They come in a wide variety of sizes, styles, environments and with any of thousands of plants.
Terrariums can be made just to look good but they can also be made to re-create natural environments.
Terrariums can be made just to look good but they can also be made to re-create natural environments.
Types of Terrariums
Containers and Themes
I have broken this down into two distinct sections. The first section explains some of the different variations of containers in terrarium making. And the second section contains some ideas when it comes to the themes of terrariums.
Terrarium Containers
Containers can further be thought of as two different types: Open air and closed environment. Open Air terrariums are the most common and the easiest to make and maintain. Closed environment terrariums are more challenging because they are completely sealed off from the outside world and the internal environment has to have a good balance of water,nutrients, and plants.
-Simple Dish: This is the easiest type of container to make and it can be done in just about any type of container you can think of from a bowl to a dish or a glass. Often times a ceramic dish is used.
-Bottle Terrarium: This type of terrarium is more of a challenge because it takes some skill and work to get the objects into the terrarium. Often times the bottle is sealed and the terrarium becomes a closed environment which can be, if done well, self sustaining.
Terrarium Themes
This is an exciting area of terrarium making and it can be a bit challenging. The terrarium mimics an unusual natural environment. Here are some common themes:
-Desert Theme
-Jungle Theme
-Rainforest Theme
-Carnivorous Plant Theme
Terrarium Containers
Containers can further be thought of as two different types: Open air and closed environment. Open Air terrariums are the most common and the easiest to make and maintain. Closed environment terrariums are more challenging because they are completely sealed off from the outside world and the internal environment has to have a good balance of water,nutrients, and plants.
-Simple Dish: This is the easiest type of container to make and it can be done in just about any type of container you can think of from a bowl to a dish or a glass. Often times a ceramic dish is used.
-Bottle Terrarium: This type of terrarium is more of a challenge because it takes some skill and work to get the objects into the terrarium. Often times the bottle is sealed and the terrarium becomes a closed environment which can be, if done well, self sustaining.
Terrarium Themes
This is an exciting area of terrarium making and it can be a bit challenging. The terrarium mimics an unusual natural environment. Here are some common themes:
-Desert Theme
-Jungle Theme
-Rainforest Theme
-Carnivorous Plant Theme
Terrarium Resources and Web Links
- Make a Terrarium
- Lots of resources on how to make many different types of terrariums from soda bottle to dish and even adding a waterfall to an ultimate terrrarium.
Terrarium Books and Resources on Amazon.com
Natural Terrariums (Complete Herp Care)
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 11/23/2009) 
Vivaria Designs (Advanced Vivarium Systems)
Amazon Price: $11.07 (as of 11/23/2009)
Terrarium and Cage Construction and Care
Amazon Price: $14.24 (as of 11/23/2009)
How to Make a Terrarium The Easy way
Simple steps to a beautiful terrarium in about an hour
1. Put a one inch layer of stones in the bottom of your terrarium container2. Fill the container about half full of potting soil
3. Remove the plants from their plastic pots and arrange them in your terrarium. Move this arrangement around looking for something that pleases you.
4. Once you have found an arrangement you like fill the rest of the container with potting soil and gently tap it down so it is firm and the plants are supported.
5. Water with a moderate amount of water.
6. Put the terrarium in a place with moderate or occasional sunlight
It is quite easy to make a basic terrarium and now all you have to do is care for it with moderate watering and light.
by epicfantasy
I am a writer of epic fantasy. I have self published one novel, have completed my second novel and am working on my third. I maintain several websites... (more)
