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All Bottled Up ! (Femina October 15, 2004)

Who wouldn't like to have lots of greenery around But if space in at a premium and garden is misty dream, what do you do despite itching green fingers? Hit the bottles! Yes, grow plants literally in bottles of any shape and size.

You Can Do It Too

Making terrariums can be an exciting exercise.

You'll need bottles, glass bowls, aquarium boxes, anything with covers.
However, where bottles are concerned avoid corks as these absorb water, depriving the plants of moisture.
Glass stoppers and glass plates for open glass containers are the best be.
Soil, small stones or pebbles, brick pieces, sand, charcoal and leaf mould or manure are the basics. You could personally roast the sand and soil in an open wok to sterilize to prevent fungus or bacterial infection.
Where plants are concerned, avoid all flowering kinds and opt for slow growing plants. Also, go for plants that thrive in moisture. If the plants start growing fast, nip them gently or prune them. Also, if some leaves start decaying, either remove them or let them remain inside to convert to compost.
Layer the brick pieces, charcoal, sand, soil and pebbles (in that order). Put in the plant and ensure that the roots are well covered. And this is where expertise pays. Try, try and try till you get it right.
Accessories like tiny stone frogs, shells, etc, can enhance the beauty of the terrarium.
Remember making a terrarium is a very time consuming and at times, thoroughly frustrating job.
The eco-system that is created inside a terrarium means it creates its own moisture and so there is no need whatsoever to water the plants. During the dry summer months, the plants might at best require a little spraying.
Check out first if the soil begins to appear too dry and only then, use the sprayer sparingly. The worst months for a terrarium in a climate like ours are May and June. During those months, keep them in an air-conditioned room at least during the night so that enough moisture is created with in.
Keep terrariums away from direct sunlight, but remember they thrive best in natural light.
Lastly, once set the right way, in the right place, terrariums are low maintenance, minimum fuss creations. In fact, the thumb rule for terrariums is to neglect them !

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