Setting up a Terrarium - The Basic Supplies:

It's fun to set up and plant a terrarium so here's a list of basic supplies you will need and some information about the pla you could grow.

The Container

Of course the first thing you will need is a suitable container. Many different recycled containers can be used including plastic or glass bottles, fish bowls and tanks, jugs, old apothecary jars etc. Speciy made terrariums come in many different designs, styles and sizes. Before you decide on the container take cful note of where it will be located and the size that will fit best. For a terrarium that will contain living creres make s that it is big enough when those creres grow to full size.

Types of rarium Environme

Drt rariums

rariums set up to simulate drt conditions usuy have a base of builders sand with rocks and succule. Kept very dry they suitable for spiny lizards, box turtles, drt tarantulas and other creres from the drt.

Rocky rariums

Rock terrariums, similar to drt terrariums but having ground cover pla suitable for many kinds of reptiles.

Plant rariums

The most popular type of terrarium that provides a humid environment for a wide range of pla.

Swamp rariums

Humid and wet th terrariums usuy set up with some running water for frogs, newts, salamanders and turtles.

Tropical Rainforest rariums

Humid terrariums kept very warm for growing bromeliads and orchids. Some snakes, turtles and geckos also love th conditions.

Woodland rariums

A terrarium with a soil base and decorated with pine cones, leaves, bark etc simulating the floor of a wood. With fresh water th type of terrariums ideal for scorpions, chameleons, snakes and some turtles.

Base Materials

There different base materials recommended for different types of terrariums. For a basic plant terrarium coarse gravel is usuy used as a base, covered with a layer of activated charcoal to keep the air clean. Sphagnum moss is layered over the charcoal and finy a layer of suitable compost. Speciy formulated compost for terrariums is sold at garden centers or a mixt of potting compost, coarse builders sand and leaf mold.

The Pla

The high humidity inside a terrarium is ideal for moist loving pla such as ferns, bromeliads or mosses but a terrarium can be set up to simulate a wide range of nral conditions including drt conditions. There many sm pla suitable for growing in a terrarium including ground cover, trailers and flowering pla. Orchids or carnivorous pla, which native to as of high humidity can be very successfully raised in a terrarium.

A Selection of Pla for Your rarium

Maidenhead, spleenwort, Irish moss, Partridge berry, Baby tears, Creeping fig, Irish Moss, Rosary vine, Swedish ivy, Bird Nest, Sansevieria, Maidenhair fern, Nerve plant , Prayer plant, Spider plant, False Aralia, Watermelon peperomia, Asparagus fern, Tahitian Bridal Veil, Heart-leaved philodendron,Strawberry begonia, Wintergreen, African violet (select minire varieties), Aluminum plant, Artillery plant, Minire Begonia rex, Begonia rex-cultorum, English ivy, Flame violet, Golden pothos.

Carnivorous Pla

Pitcher Plant, Butterwort, Cobra Lily, Venus fly trap.

Pla for Drt Gardens

Pink polka dot, Elephant bush, Haworthia, Hen and chicks, Jade plant, Panda plant, Plush plant.

Decorations

All nral terrariums can contain bark, rocks, driftwood etc. A sm mirror, to simulate a pool with the edges covered by the pla can also look effective. Speciy made waterfs can be added to give a lovely effect if you have a large terrarium. Other artificial decorations can be also used. If you including living creres provide them with artificial caves and a source of drinking water. Check any nral materials regularly for rotting in the humid atmosphere.