FAQ and tips how to keep your Terrariums living and breathing
First a little history about how Terrariums were invented
In the 17th Century there was a trend of collecting Ferns and it was one of the few hobbies in that era that appealed to both men and women and across all social backgrounds and was regarded as a 'very serious' hobby of its day.
Nathaniel Ward was a Doctor living in London and like many of that era he was obsessed with botany and was a keen plant collector. But in the 1800's London suffered from pollution and a smog hung about the city like a thick cloud. This caused huge problems for Dr. Ward's plants and it was a great frustration that he couldn't keep his ferns, the 'plant of the day alive'. However Dr. Ward noticed that the plants he kept in his insect jars (that he used for the study of moths and caterpillars), were thriving and taking root in the soil. He realised that the plants in these containers were only surviving because they were in a miniature greenhouse creating their own little eco system. He spread the word of his discovery and wrote a book 'On the Growth of Pants in Closely Glazed Cases'. Not long after Dr.Wards discovery, the first Terrariums (which were actually called Wardian Case after Dr.Ward) could be found in every Victorian home.
Nathaniel Ward was a Doctor living in London and like many of that era he was obsessed with botany and was a keen plant collector. But in the 1800's London suffered from pollution and a smog hung about the city like a thick cloud. This caused huge problems for Dr. Ward's plants and it was a great frustration that he couldn't keep his ferns, the 'plant of the day alive'. However Dr. Ward noticed that the plants he kept in his insect jars (that he used for the study of moths and caterpillars), were thriving and taking root in the soil. He realised that the plants in these containers were only surviving because they were in a miniature greenhouse creating their own little eco system. He spread the word of his discovery and wrote a book 'On the Growth of Pants in Closely Glazed Cases'. Not long after Dr.Wards discovery, the first Terrariums (which were actually called Wardian Case after Dr.Ward) could be found in every Victorian home.
The Wardian Case was a boon for plant lovers, but it also had a huge influence on the Tea Industry. Before the invention of the Wardian Case it had been near impossible to grow Chinese tea plants outside China. But in the 1840's and 50's, a botanist, Robert Fortune, was able to use a Wardian Case to successfully transport Chinese tea plants to India. Consequently the Indian tea industry flourished and by the 19th Century the price of tea had dropped thus making it became the most popular drink for all classes in Britain.
|
How often should I water my terrarium?
A light mist every three weeks should suffice, but only if the soil feels dry. Try to use filtered water, or for the die hard perfectionist, use captured rain water! I find the chlorine in tap water can sometimes be a little harsh for moss. The sweet spot comes when your terrarium does not look dry or too wet. At this point you may not need to mist as often. Tip: I have found that by slightly dampening the soil when you are first making up your terrarium will give it the best chance of finding the correct humidity levels.
Do I keep the lid on all of the time?
By keeping the lid on your jar you are allowing the water (condensation) to recycle itself and to keep the proper humidity levels within your terrarium. You only want to see a little bit of moisture on the glass interior at soil level. So if you see excess water droplets, this is a a sign to tell you to remove the lid, I call this burping, so the excess water can evaporate. Then replace the lid. You don't want too much water to build up as this will lead to mold and we don't want that! Open your lid every few weeks just to allow some fresh air to circulate.
What makes the best terrarium container?
You are only limited by your imagination when building terrariums. But I look for glass containers with a lid or small opening.
My moss looks sad.....how can I help it look happy again?
We only want happy thriving moss, so if yours is starting to turn brown, first re-set the moisture levels in your terrarium by removing the lid and allowing any excess water to evaporate, and then mist your moss lightly and replace the lid. Also check you are using filtered or rain water as the chlorine in tap water can be too harsh for some mosses. Also your moss may be telling you it is in the wrong place, so check it is out of direct sunlight.....or maybe you are not giving it enough light..so just take some time to find the perfect spot where your moss will thrive.
Can I put my terrarium on the windowsill?
The natural habitat of moss is in damp shade, so avoid putting your terrarium in full direct sunlight, but they will be fine in bright artificial light in the home or office.
What do you do if you have been given or bought a DIY Terrarium Kit but don't plan on using it straight away?
So if you have bought or have been given a DIY Terrarium Kit but can't use it straight away (you must have very good will power...) here are some useful tips on storing your moss until you are ready to use it. To keep your moss fresh you can either:
- Put the moss and the bag it came in, into the fridge or freezer. The moss will go into a dormant phase....and go to sleep until you are ready to use it - just defrost before using
- Take the moss out of the plastic bag and spread out the moss into a glass baking dish and cover with plastic wrap. This will act like a temporary style terrarium. Do not place in direct sunlight and use within a few days
Some interesting facts about Moss
I LOVE moss and just wanted to share some interesting 'moss facts' to share the love.....
- Moss has no root system it anchors itself to the ground using rhizoids.
- Moss has no vascular tissue for sending nutrients and water throughout the plant.
- Moss gets its nourishment from the air, photosynthesis, and water.
- Under stressful conditions moss & lichens are able to temporarily stop growing and go dormant.
- Moss reproduces by means of spores which are very dependent on an ample supply of moisture. As moss does not take up moisture through a root system, it is much happier receiving moisture through misting or rainwater instead of a drenching.