| In the making of any garden, which are in glass | | | | African-violets, small ferns and Rex begonias are |
| containers, care must be taken to provide for | | | | at their best "under cover." |
| adequate drainage. If the depth of the container | | | | Watering a terrarium is a tricky business; too |
| will allow it, you should use a thick layer of pebbles | | | | much water invites rot and mildew, while too little |
| or potsherds in the bottom, covering this layer | | | | will cause tender leaves to shrivel. After the initial |
| with one of Sphagnum moss. | | | | planting is finished, use a misty spray to settle the |
| For best results, granulated charcoal should be | | | | plants slightly and refresh the leaves. For the first |
| added to the pebble layer. Next comes a layer of | | | | week or two, spray at frequent intervals, giving |
| humus or rich potting soil, and then the plants are | | | | only small amounts each time, until you have |
| set in place and held in position as soil is filled in | | | | determined how much water is needed. Then it |
| around them. A really finished appearance is | | | | may be done once a week or perhaps less often. |
| achieved by fitting pieces of sheet moss around | | | | Interesting things sometimes result when plants |
| the plants so that it covers all the exposed soil, or | | | | are placed in warm, humid containers. I had a |
| by adding ground hugging plants such as pellionia | | | | red-veined fittonia in my window that grew just |
| or helxine (baby's tears) to cover it. | | | | enough to provide an occasional cutting, but a |
| In choosing plant material, select plants which are | | | | rooted snippet of this, planted in a terrarium, |
| compatible, needing the same culture, and avoid | | | | promptly branched out in all directions and began |
| those which may grow too robustly. Whether or | | | | flowering! |
| not a cover is needed for the container will, of | | | | Plants grow rapidly in terrariums, and terrariums |
| course, depend upon what kinds of plants are | | | | have a way of "growing" on people. And that |
| used. Cacti and other succulents do not need a lid | | | | reminds me... I have a dandy bunch of rooted |
| over them; tolmieas (pickaback plant), peperomias | | | | cuttings - have you an unused fish tank I could |
| and syngoniums can take it or leave it; | | | | borrow? |