How to Plant Terrariums for Children
- 1). Wash, rinse and dry the container, using liquid soap and water, to remove bacteria. Select a transparent glass or plastic container, such as a fish bowl or large glass jar.
- 2). Place an even layer of gravel on the bottom of the terrarium, for drainage.
- 3). Cover the gravel with ½-inch layer of activated charcoal.
- 4). Spread an even layer of sphagnum moss over the charcoal.
- 5). Pour potting soil into a large clean bowl. The amount of soil will depend on the size of your terrarium. When you do add the soil to the terrarium, it needs to be at least 1 ½ inches deep, yet the gravel, charcoal, sphagnum moss and soil should take no more than 25 percent of the container's volume.
- 6). Spray the soil with water, and lightly toss the soil like a salad. The object is to get the soil moist, not wet or soggy.
- 7). Add a layer of moist soil to the terrarium, over the sphagnum moss. It should be at least 1 ½ inches deep.
- 8). Arrange the plants for the terrarium on the counter, to get an idea of where they should go. Select easy-to-grow plants, such as spider plants, for the youngster's first terrarium.
- 9). Remove each plant from its container and plant in the soil, by first making an indentation in the soil, then inserting the plant's roots and covering with soil. Don't overcrowd the container; give the plants room to grow.
- 10
Mist the interior of the terrarium's wall and the plants to remove any dirt and settle the soil around the plant. - 11
Add decorative ceramic figures or rocks to the terrarium. Mist the decorations to remove any dirt.
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