Marina North of Plantiful Terrariums

‘Garden in a Bottle’

Our speaker this evening gave an excellent presentation and demonstration of the wonders of indoor gardens not just in bottles (closed or open) but baubles, balls, geometric terrariums in all shapes and sizes. Carboys too!

Marina who emigrated from Sydney to London in 2016 shared her passion and knowledge of this intriguing genre.

The centrepiece of the presentation was a demonstration of how to create a garden in a bottle.

Starting with charcoal as the base followed by a layer of small gravel, then a layer of soil/compost. It is important to level each layer to maximise the effect.

She chose a selection of plants including an Asparagas fern for height and texture surrounded by carpet and cushion moss, an English ivy plus an air plant which is native to the tropical climate of South America.

To manipulate the plants in position she used a series of long tweezers and skewers to to place everything in the bottle. She then laid a series of larger pebbles and bark to create a natural look to the garden.

It is important to use filtrated or rain water rather than tap water which will contain chemicals which will be detrimental to some plants.

Watering can be done by spraying or using a pipette. A ‘fogged up terrarium is a healthy terrarium’

Terrariums should last for years with minimum maintenance. The first terrariums were created in 1842.

Positioning is important. Avoid placing them near radiators and not too close to a window which could be harmful on very sunny days as it will dry out the plants.

If this was Marina’s very first talk, we must congratulate her for an entertaining ind informative evening.

Further information:

Telephone 075110030102

Website plantifulterrariums.com

email plantifulterrariums@gmail.com