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Article
Bottled Up
Inside Out Issue 19
(For Discerning Home Lovers in the Gulf)

For the uninformed a terrarium is a transparent glass container used for displaying growing plants in a miniature landscape setting. Almost any type of bottle, jar, jug, fish bowl or fish tank can be used as a terrarium, For that matter, a terrarium can even be created out of a coffee table or a dining table. Radhika Anand's love of greenery has resulted in exquisite terrariums in all shapes and sizes filling every nook and corner of her home on the outskirts of Delhi.

Radhika first came across terrariums in Tokyo. " I was simply stunned. A table with plants inside was fascinating way to decorate a room. When I came back from Japan, I first tried to make plants grow in a bottle. While some survived, others would simply start to decay after a couple of days. After years of research and learning, I finally managed a successful terrarium."

How does one take look after these beautiful creations? Radhika says, " Just neglect them. Once you place them in the right place, terrariums are low maintenance and require minimum fuss. They are self-contained eco systems and can go for months or even a few years unattended." If you have enough natural light inside a room, any glass container can be used for terrarium, "However, the container should be absolutely clear as tinted glass reduces light and interferes with plant growth," says Radhika. "The natural process of evaporation and condensation is then put to use in a highly intriguing manner."

The plant must be seeded in a well-drained, sterilized soil bed inside a bottle or jar. It is better to first roast the sand and soil in an open wok. This sterilizes it and prevents fungus or bacterial infections. The container is then laid with brick pieces, charcoal, sand ,soil and pebbles to create the drainage layer, which captures excess moisture. The plant is placed in such a manner as to ensure that the roots are well covered. Adding accessories such as rocks, shells and tiny stone frogs enhances the look of the terrarium.

"When choosing plants, avoid flowering plants and opt for slow growing ones or plants that thrive in moisture, "Radhika advises. "It is best to have compatible plants in contrasting colours and shapes."

Some foliage plants that do well in bottle terrarium include the creeping fig (Ficus pumila), ribbon plant (Dracaena sanderiana), earthstar (Cryptanthus acauils), prayer plant (Maranta species) and parlour palm (Charmaedorea elegans). For a terrarium created in a coffee table or dining table, it is best to use the Ficus, Syngonium and Dracaena species.

The container must to be checked daily for the first few days. If the soil appears too dry, add a little water. If it appears too moist, take the top off for a while to allow a little evaporation. If some plants show a speedy growth, nipping and purning is the solution. Also if the leaves start to decay. They should be left there to convert to compost.

During summer when plants begin to wane, terrariums bring about freshness all around. The eco-system that is created inside the terrarium does not require plants to be watered. During the summer months, the plants may require a little spraying if the soil appears too dry. It is best to keep them in an air-conditioned room at least during the right so that enough moisture collects with in.

Interestingly, plants that perish in the dry atmosphere of a heated home in summer grow extremely well inside terrariums because of the high degree of humidity inside. With in 24 hours, you can see the glass misting, forming vapour that drips on the soil and re-hydrates it. Care must be taken not to over water a terrarium. Spraying the water rather than pouring is advised.

Terrariums should also be kept in a bright area but not under direct sunlight. Radhika, who has created a number of bottle gardens for hotels in the Middle East as well as houses, hotels and homes in India, also advise that bottles should not be covered with materials such as bamboo and cork as these absorb water depriving the plants of moisture looking after terrariums has been a passion for Radhika for the last eight years and she has collected several awards for her skills from the Ali India Kitchen Garden Association as well as the Annual Delhi Flower Show. In fact, a major creation of hers holds pride of place at the Delhi Secretariat.

502, Royale Retreat, Charmwood Village, Eros Gardens, Suraj Kund, Haryana, Tel: 91-11-41638091-95, Mobile: 9811073996
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