Terrarium Workshop!
For the last several months, I have been researching, experimenting, foraging, and thrifting in preparation for my upcoming workshop topic: closed terrariums. This type of terrarium creates the perfect microclimate for tropical, high humidity plants. Mosses also thrive in this environment. Being a moist environment, there are precautions to be made to ensure there is no build up of unwanted bacterias. For example, adding a layer of charcoal is crucial, as it prevents these bacterias from forming. Also, fun fact: Moss has natural antibacterial properties!
The possibilities are endless with closed terrariums. There are a multitude of ways to make this vessel unique and representative of your style and aesthetic. Some suggestions that I have for you are:
Forage pieces of wood and sticks— Look for ones with cool jagged ends! You can make them look like large land masses inside of your container. I like gluing little colorful rocks to wood, so they look like a waterfall or geode. WARNING: When foraging, you must sanitize. I used a tiny bit of bleach mixed in with water and sprayed down the wood and let it dry before using it in the terrarium.
Gorilla Glue takes forever, but it dries clear and holds!
I glued rocks on some plastic in my recycling to create the pool at the bottom of the waterfall.
Add creatures— I love this part, I love creating little forested scenes. I bought mine from Amazon, there are so many to choose from. They have some fun fairy things as well that I have yet to explore. I provide many options at my workshops!
Add some special rocks or seashells— Oftentimes, we collect little items on vacation as mementos. Do you have any of these lying around that would look cool in your terrarium?
Forage mosses— With just a tiny bit of superglue, you can attach moss to wood pieces or rock.
Make cuttings from houseplants— Look into houseplants you currently have! A Pothos is a popular one. If you just cut a little piece and put it in water, it will root. You can throw this in your substrate (growing medium) and watch is flourish. Just make sure to do your research and make sure that the plant you are using works in a closed terrarium.
Other materials:
Rocks for drainage
Charcoal— Larger chunks are better, as it will leach into your drainage rocks and turn them black.
Lanscape Fabric— I use this as a layer to protect the drainage rocks from the charcoal.
Flat, dry moss— I put this on top of the landscape fabric.
Charcoal— This goes on the flat moss.
Rocks for the scene
Substrate— You can get this at Amazon as well.
Orchid Bark— If you have a tiny orchid to throw in there!
See my prices in the video below:
I look forward to seeing the fun and amazing terrariums that come out of this upcoming weekend!
