How to make a florarium with your own hands: containers, soil, plants, care

It is not so easy to grow tropical plants in our houses and apartments. Dry air just kills them, and if not, they don't look their best. Therefore, many are thinking about how to create suitable conditions for them. Unfortunately, not many can boast of their own greenhouse or winter garden, but everyone can put them under glass. We will talk further about how to make a florarium with our own hands. And don't be alarmed. Little space is needed, at least until the first experiment. Then the number of mini-gardens in the bank begins to grow dramatically. But the problem with gifts has been solved, because the finished garden in a bottle is quite immodest.

What is florarium

Back in the middle of the 19th century, someone once came up with the idea to plant plants in a glass container. The experiment turned out to be very successful. The composition looked great, the plants developed and even bloomed. By analogy with aquariums and terrariums, such glass gardens began to be called "florarium".

Ideas are just a sea. This is just a seed ...

Today, flower terrariums are made mainly in special glass or plastic vases, flasks and other containers. Most often succulents and moss are planted. There are fans of tropical plant cultivation. They like high humidity, so a closed container is for them. Orchids, other plants that can grow without soil, feel great in florariums. Since the containers are sealed, it is possible to create conditions for semi-aquatic and marsh plants, but this version of the garden in the aquarium is called the paludarium.

Dimensions can be far from small

You can buy a mini-garden in a vase if you wish. But making a florarium with your own hands is not so difficult, and it will bring much more joy. It may not be easy to find the right combination of soil components and matching plants, but there are some established combinations. You can see them in the photo, but it is much more interesting to select them yourself.

Containers for florariums

The sizes of florariums are very different - from several hundred milliliters to tens and even hundreds of liters. The shapes are also the most diverse, but balls and cylinders predominate. To make a florarium with your own hands, it is not necessary to buy a container. If you have an abandoned aquarium of any shape, a large jar or vase, you can use them. True, they must meet certain requirements:

• The container for florariums should help to retain moisture. Balls or other containers with holes on the side are perfectly suited for this. Slightly worse if the hole is on top, but it is smaller in diameter. The vessels, even along the entire width, are suitable for cacti and succulents. They don't need high humidity. But if you want, you can plant a tropical plant as well. But in this case, you need a cover.
  

  Mini-garden can be in the most ordinary banks. It is important that the glass is white and transparent

• The height of the container must be sufficient for laying all the necessary layers of soil. Plus, it will be necessary to plant the plants so that their height is taken into account. At least a third of the container should be free, or better half.
• The glass should be transparent, not colored.The walls must let in a sufficient amount of light.

Excellent container for florarium: the humidity level is maintained, the walls are transparent, easy maintenance

For a sample, you can make a florarium in a jar of an unusual shape or an inexpensive container. When you master all the subtleties, including the features of care, it will be possible to build something more serious.

What plants to plant

The choice of plants for the florarium is limited by the volume in which you plan to pack them. For beginners, it is best to start with succulents and cacti. Species diversity, different shapes and colors allow you to create different compositions. These plants do not grow too fast, the care requirements are minimal.

Moss and succulents make very cute and varied compositions.

As a short-term project, you can make a florarium with early flowering bulbous plants. These are snowdrops (all of their types), tulips, hyacinths, etc. The time can be chosen so that by the appointed date (New Year, birthday, March 8, etc.), the flowers release buds or begin to bloom.

The simplest version of a garden in a vase - bulbous plants

When creating compositions, it is advisable to select the composition of plants not only in appearance. It is easier to care for a mini-garden in a vase if the plants have the same growing conditions. In this case, they can be planted in the ground. But, if you are using plants of "non-dwarf" size, it is easier to remove it in the pot. The pots are masked with sand or decorative stones.

A similar technique - in separate pots - allows you to grow plants in the same florarium, which must be looked after in different ways. But then you need to remember what, when and in what quantity to water, feed, etc. This is not acceptable for everyone, as it requires attention.

Succulents for the garden in a jar

Succulents are most popular when creating florariums, and for good reason. Usually they are easy to care for, are small in size, do not grow too quickly, while looking exotic and different. Moreover, even one type of succulents can differ significantly in appearance, be of different shapes and have different colors of "leaves", different flowers, etc. Just keep in mind that they do not like high humidity, so when choosing a vase, choose with a wide neck. And one more thing: it will be necessary to water them very rarely, and so that not the entire layer of soil / sand gets wet. It will be necessary to make a thick drainage layer, and use coarse sand with the addition of soil as the soil.

Try to make the first florarium from succulents and cacti

Haworthia

Does not bloom, but has decorative lancet leaves. Undemanding to temperature and humidity conditions. Can be used in combination with more demanding plants. Does not like wet soil too much and can rot from moisture entering the sockets.

Easy care Haworthia succulents

Aptenia

Flowering plant, flowers are small bright pink, lilac, white. Leaves are fleshy, small. It is not too demanding for growing conditions, tolerates both high and low humidity.

Aptenia (Aptenia) can be successfully grown in a vase

Monanthes

There is Monanthes in the form of a very small bush, and there is a grassy one. Can create dense cushion curtains. Stems are erect with a deciduous rosette at the top. Some species are blooming. It is not too demanding for temperature, does not like high humidity, but needs good lighting. A dormant period with a decrease in temperature in winter is desirable.

Small plants are suitable for the smallest florariums

Piaranthus

It has a very unusual shape - creeping stems, consist of segments. Each of the segments has several "teeth". In combination with an unusual color - various shades of green and brownish-green, star-shaped flowers - this plant will attract attention. Can be the center of the composition.Care requirements are low, you should only protect from direct sunlight in the summer.

Unusual bright flowers and strange stems

Argyroderma

The very unusual shape of the plant in combination with the silvery shade of the leaves gave rise to their popular name - living stones. In shape, the leaves resemble small pebbles (usually no more than 2 cm), from which a large and bright flower grows. The conditions are generally undemanding.

Blooming stones are an interesting addition to a glass garden

Conophytum (Conophytum)

This type of succulent plant is also called live rock. The leaf shapes are even stranger and more unusual. Flowers are very similar to daisies - bright and large. They have a clear growing season and rest. Vegetation is usually in winter, rest in summer months.

The leaf shapes are the most unusual. And these plants live on Earth?

Echeveria

This type of succulent is also called a stone rose. Care is simple, only the leaves are better not to touch with your hands. They are covered with the finest coating that wears off when touched. But since the florarium is almost a closed container, the probability of plaque damage is small. Another feature is a dormant period with a temperature of about 15 ° C.

A stone rose is not so unusual, but it looks great on rocks and sand

Lithops

Lithops also look like stones that have suddenly bloomed. They differ in that they can change the color of the leaves to match the color of the soil. They grow very well on rocky soil, withstand high temperatures. They are similar in care to cacti, so they can be combined. They grow slowly, require bright light for normal development.

Another plants from another world

These are not all succulents and there are still no less interesting ones, but even these are enough to create a couple of thousand of the most different compositions.

Mosses for florariums

Stabilized mosses are often used for florariums. This is an ordinary moss, in which the water is replaced with a special solution, which, as it were, preserves the plant. It is not dry either in appearance or in touch, but all biological processes are stopped.

Moss may be the only plant in the mini florarium

The more common and readily available is Sfagnum moss; in florist shops you can buy a variety that is more suitable for the planned planting conditions. In general, "ordinary" moss can be found almost everywhere where there is enough moisture. In any case, near the well, in the storm drain, etc. You just pick up a certain amount, then put it on the soil, stones, etc.

This is sphagnum

You can grow moss on purpose - on stones, snags. It will take time, of course, but the result is worth it. If there are seeds - we use them, no - pick up any moss along with the ground in which it grows. Next, we take kefir (better - bio) or molasses, or whey (unpasteurized), add the nutrient medium. The easiest option is potatoes grated into porridge. Add moss to this mixture and stir everything in a blender. Apply with an old brush to the places where the moss should take root. Since mini-gardens require microscopic doses, you can do without a mixer by simply mixing the composition well.

How to replace moss (ground cover plants)

Very similar to Nertera moss. It is also called coral moss, but it is just a miniature herb. It is interesting in that, under favorable conditions, it is covered with bright orange, no less bright yellow or lilac / dark blue, purple, white berries.

Coral moss or Nertera. This plant can be a decoration, but it is difficult to achieve the appearance of berries in a jar or ball

Selaginella Krause and Selaginella Jori. These are compact tropical plants with a leaf height of 2-5 cm. They form dense cushions of bright greenery. They can be successfully replaced with moss.

Two more plants that can replace moss in the florarium

Soleirolia (Soleirolia). In nature, forms small mounds about 5 cm high. The foliage is green, of different shades.Long slender shoots with very small leaves. In recent years, varieties with silvery and golden foliage have been developed.

Tropics in the aquarium

Many florarium consider only compositions with tropical plants or those that love high humidity. Since there is no clear terminology, this point of view cannot be called erroneous. In any case, this is also a mini-garden, but not in a glass or jar, but in a more or less large aquarium.

More interesting compositions can be created in a large space

When choosing plants for a florarium with tropical vegetation, the growing conditions are decisive. The second thing they pay attention to is the size to which an adult plant grows. Another point is the growth rate. The most successful choice is slow growing. Below is a list of plants that are recommended for such compositions.

• Outlet
  • fittonia (Vershaffelt, silvery-veined, dwarf species)
  • ferns
  • episode
  • pilea
  • royal begonia
  • nephrolepis
  • cryptantus bromeliad
  • small-leaved saw
    

    One of the most popular plants for growing in the florarium is Fittonia

• Not too high
  • nephrolepis
  • maidenhair (Ruddy, fine-haired)
  • ficus Sunny
  • small-leaved philodendron
  • selaginella
  • anthurium
  • saline
  • bromeliads
    

    Air plants can live without soil at all

• Curly / ampelous
  • ivy (Spatchley, variegated, Little Diamond, Tre Coupe)
  • ficus sled, ampelous small-leaved green and variegated
  • pellionia
  • tradescantia
  • peperomias
  • saline
    

    You can create thematic compositions

• Blooming
  • • violets
    • arrowroot
    • orchids
    • tiny sinningia (Sinningia pusilla)
    • saxifrage

  Each group has a large number of varieties that differ not only in color, but also in size. You can always pick up a group with similar care and growing conditions, and which will not grow very quickly. Another option is plants that can tolerate frequent pruning. Rather, they do not react too negatively to them. In high humidity conditions this can be a problem.

  Homemade florarium

  After you have decided on the composition of the plants, you can think about what kind of soil to plant them in. The very composition of the soil is selected according to the requirements of the plants. You can only discuss the composition for cacti and succulents: two parts of soddy clay soil, one part of humus and river sand, you can add more brick chips. Before making a florarium, let's talk about the sequence of layers. You will need to stock up on materials in sufficient quantities.

  

  The "assembly" itself takes a few minutes. But before making a florarium, it takes a lot of time to select plants, to determine the optimal composition of the soil

  Creating a composition

  Determination of the planting site takes place in two stages. The first is when picking plants. You can imagine what and how it should look. When creating a composition, there are several rules:

  • If you can see the florarium, a garden in a jar or bottle on only one side, we plant taller plants in the background. They can be placed along the back wall. And the uneven "relief" looks more interesting - plants of different shapes, colors and heights (if there are several of them).
    

    Phalaenopsis are ideal candidates for glass or jar growing

  • If the composition should be viewed from all sides, the tallest plant is in the center, then to the edges - in descending order.
  • In small compositions, the triangle principle is observed: one plant is tall, about a third of the space is occupied by a plantation of medium height, the rest is undersized, ground cover.
  • For small florariums with flowering plants, it is the flower that usually leads. The rest of the design only emphasizes its beauty.

  When you have already bought all the plants, before planting, install them in the soil already poured in the vessel.It may well turn out that something needs to be moved, reversed or removed altogether. This should be done before you begin to remove plants from pots.

  In pots or in soil

  As mentioned earlier, you can plant plants in the florarium directly in the ground, you can leave them in pots. Each option has its own merits. Plants in pots can be easily removed, moved, replaced. This will cause minimal damage to neighboring plants. But then the composition of the soil is generally unimportant - you can simply fill the gap with pebbles, rubble, decorate from above. The same option is good if the plants have different watering and feeding regimes. This can be done in pots.

  

  The process of planting plants in the florarium

  The advantage of planting in the ground is the creation of a single ecosystem. If you decide to plant without pots, carefully remove the plants, with your hands remove as much soil from the roots as possible. In the soil of the florarium (with a wire loop, a miniature spatula, with your hands), make a depression. Size - so that the roots can freely enter. Plant a plant, sprinkle it, compact the soil. When everything is planted, water it.

  Layer-by-layer soil

  In general, in most cases the following sequence of layers is recommended for the garden in a vase / glass / jar:

  • A layer of stones of the middle fraction. It is usually a pebble with rounded edges. The thickness of the layer is about 5 cm. The purpose of this layer is clear - excess moisture accumulates in it.
  • Charcoal. The charcoal acts as a filter that prevents nutrients from seeping through. It is a kind of flora stabilizer that helps maintain moisture. The thickness of the coal layer is 2 cm or so.
  • Next, the actual soil that is suitable for your plants. Its thickness must be sufficient for the existing root system. If you expect plant growth, you can make it thicker. In any case, after planting the plants, at least 1/3 of the container height must remain unoccupied.
  

  One of the options for planting plants in the florarium

  Here, in fact, is the basic composition of the soil for the florarium. But since plants of even the same species do well in different soils, the layers change. And sometimes even for the sake of appearance. Therefore, it is worth adhering to only one piece of advice: there should be a layer at the bottom where excess moisture can accumulate.

  The only thing that we do not recommend is to use expanded clay instead of pebbles on the bottom layer or fill them between the plants. Despite popular belief, it absorbs moisture. Moreover, it also accumulates salts dissolved in water. After a while, the soil becomes too salty for most plants.

  Possible variations in soil placement

  What other soil can be used for planting plants in the florarium? Here are the possible variations:

  • Instead of one fraction of stones, you can use two. Medium, on top - fine, and on it already coal.
  • At the bottom - under the pebbles - pour sand. This option is good for growing succulents.
  • Stones and coal (sometimes they put soil at once) are separated by a garden mesh with a fine mesh (1 mm), you can use a garden spunbond. This barrier will prevent the layers from mixing.
    

    Dried sphagnum can be used as an interlayer - it will stabilize soil moisture

  • For plants whose root system is demanding on the supply of air, you can use only pebbles or crushed stone, you can put stones along the edge, pour soil inside, delimiting the layers with a strip of the same spunbond or mesh.
  • Coniferous bark can be laid along the edges - it is both to stabilize moisture and as an antiseptic, and as a recharge - as it decomposes, nutrients will be washed into the soil. If broken down into small pieces, it can be used to cover the soil from above.

  One important point: if the pebbles and sand are found on their own, the materials must be disinfected. They are either calcined in the oven or boiled for half an hour. After boiling, they are dried and only then used.It is necessary to do the same with snags.

  Floriana care

  In this section, we will describe the features of caring for plants in a closed or almost closed container. Moisture evaporates much more slowly from glass containers, so be prepared to water less often. No one can tell you specifically - the conditions and plants, the sizes and parameters of the containers are all different. Just look at the condition of the soil and the "inhabitants" of the florarium.

  

  Secrets of caring for a miniature florarium

  While the soil is wet, droplets settle on the glass, evaporation is visible. When the glass becomes transparent, wait a few days and you can water. The length of the "pause" depends on the plant. If these are succulents, the "dry" period can be a week or two. For other plants, several days. Once again: it all depends on the moisture content of the inhabitants.

  A few words about how to care for a mini-garden in a jar, glass, vase. The most convenient way is to use a plastic bottle with a cap and a long spout. These plastic bottles come in hair dye (wash and soak in water), they pack some medicines. In pharmacies, you can find empty ones called "dropper bottles". They also have a dispenser. You can buy it in craft stores or find something similar in hardware stores. In general, he who seeks will find.

  

  Watering the mini-garden is easy using a plastic bottle closed with a lid with a long tube

  Another option is a large syringe without a needle. It is ideal for spot root irrigation, fertilization, etc. That is, where accurate and metered application is important.

  If we talk about spraying, then you can look for any small spray bottle. For very tiny ones, pumps for medicines and cosmetics are suitable. Understandably, they should be washed thoroughly.

  Photos for inspiration

  If you have reached the end of this article, which cannot be called short, you are definitely interested in the mini-garden in glass. It remains to decide exactly how you will arrange it and in what container. A few photos for inspiration are collected in this section. Enjoy! And good luck!

  

  No soil is needed for aquatic plants - only water. Dwarf phalaenopsis feels great in the air - high humidity is guaranteed to the roots, but it doesn't need more

   

  

  Unusual interior decorations from mini florariums in glass balls

   

  

  A florarium lamp solves two problems at once: lighting and plant illumination

   

  

  The lid of the can can be used to mount the LED light

   

  

  Gift ideas for March 8 - gentle, unusual

   

  

  Driftwood with bindweed in a glass jar - picturesque

   

  

  This is not a fern, but plants that look like it

   

  

  Interior solutions for flower lovers

   

  

  Unusual compositions

   

  

  You can create a garden landscape, recreate mountain landscapes

   

  

  The choice of capacity is limited only by the transparency of the glass - it must be crystal, without shades

   

  

  Glasses, glasses - original decorations from natural flowers for the table

   

  

  You don't have to buy a rare plant. Very good compositions are obtained from the fact that "at hand"

   

  

  The containers are the same, the miniatures are different

   

  

  This florarium is a whole work of art.