Plants in a vase are succulents. Living microworld with your own hands: making florariums

The desire to bring a piece of nature into the everyday environment of an apartment is natural. Small space, active pets or allergy problems may be barriers to cultivation. indoor plants. A florarium will help out in a difficult situation, the design of which has become fashion trend recent years. Purchased copies equipped automatic system regulating processes will not be cheap. It is much more profitable to do the design of the florarium with your own hands. We’ll tell you in detail how to make an original composition yourself.

Types of florariums and themes of compositions

Before you begin the creative process of creating a florarium, you should familiarize yourself with the variety of models, placement options and rules for selecting plants. The following containers are suitable for decorating an original composition:

• Various aquariums. The presence of a lid and lighting facilitates the process of caring for plants in the florarium.
• Transparent vases, glasses and glass jars of various sizes and configurations.
• Laboratory flasks and bottles represent the most difficult option for decorating a composition of plants.

Comment! The beauty of a florarium practically does not depend on the size or sophistication of the vessel itself. The originality of a mini garden is achieved by competent selection of plants for decoration.

In most cases, the florarium is placed on a flat surface, it can be a window sill or a table. Less often they choose the option of hanging from the ceiling. If there is not enough free space, a good option would be to mount a florarium with a composition of plants on the wall.

The filling of the vessel depends on the preferred theme. The special atmosphere of the florarium allows you to create different climatic zones and natural landscapes:

• very often they resort to the design of the tropics;
• for beginners it will be easier to cope with caring for the desert landscape;
• a mountain landscape or a dense forest - with the competent approach of a florist, there are practically no limits to imagination.

Selection of plants

To create a harmonious composition, you need to know which plants are best suited for a florarium. When choosing, follow the following recommendations:

• It is optimal to focus on slow-growing representatives of the flora; this will facilitate subsequent care of the florarium. Although in conditions insufficient quantity soil, any specimen tends to slow down growth. In some cases, when designing a composition, they resort to pruning the roots.
• An important factor in selection is similar conditions of detention.
• The imitation of a desert landscape is facilitated by a composition of succulents (euphorbia, aloe, crassula and cacti).
• Creating the effect of a dense forest is impossible without the use of moss and ferns. Sphagnum moss is especially popular, among the fern family - adiantum, polyrow, pteris, etc.
• Flowering plants in the form of alocasia, violet, dieffenbachia and orchids are optimal for decorating a tropical composition. Here you should observe moderation and plant 1-2 flowering representatives of the flora in the florarium. High-quality ventilation is a prerequisite for the preservation of such plants.
• Combining a variety of ivy with succulents will recreate a mountain landscape.

Advice! If you want to combine plants that are incompatible under the conditions of keeping in a florarium, the following trick will help: individual specimens are placed in pots, masking the containers with pebbles. This design creates a holistic picture of the composition, and care is carried out on an individual basis.

Materials for creation

Depending on the chosen florarium model and the theme of the composition, the materials for decoration vary, but in general for work you will need:

• an aquarium or other glass container;
• components for forming drainage at the bottom (coarse sand, broken brick and pebbles);
• soil suitable for a particular type of plant;
• colored sand is often used as bottom decoration;
• when choosing a large container with a wide neck, standard tools for planting vegetation will be useful;
• miniature vessels require the use of tweezers, crochet hooks, teaspoons and blades attached to long sticks;
• The completeness of the composition will be given by additional decorative elements when decorated in the form of animal figures, shells, pearls, and interesting stones;
• In conclusion, to water the plants, depending on the shape of the florarium, you will need a spray bottle or a syringe.

Advice! Combine attractive appearance compositions with comfortable conditions staying for plants will be helped by the following proportion relative to the height of the container used: 1 part drainage elements, 3 parts soil and 1 part decorative material in the form of coarse sand, small pebbles or moss.

Step-by-step instructions will help you understand how to make a florarium with your own hands.

Newbie tryouts

A tall jar is the optimal container for beginning florarium designers. The registration process will require the following materials:

• jar with a capacity of 3 liters or more;
• charcoal;
• as a primer in 2 parts leaf soil take 1 part of peat;
• scoop, watering can and gloves;
• moss and suitable plants, in our case it is cryptanthus, balsam, asplenium.

The composition guide contains the following points:

The resulting composition is located in an area with diffused lighting; this will limit the growth of plants due to the lack of direct rays of the sun. Watering an open-type florarium is done approximately once a week, it all depends on the plants chosen for decoration. In case of excessive growth, excess leaves are trimmed.

Decorating a desert in a candy vase

A florarium made of succulents and cacti is simple to design and further care. But thanks to the combination of several types of cacti in the composition, it looks extremely attractive.

Advice! Don’t miss the opportunity to use painted cacti in your desert florarium design. The brightness of the composition will be ensured.

For the creative process you will need:

• a flattened vase for cylindrical candies;
• soil in which succulents and cacti feel comfortable;
• directly the plants themselves to decorate the composition;
• expanded clay or small pebbles, which simultaneously perform two functions: drainage and decorative.

Before filling the florarium, the vase is thoroughly washed in hot water, dried and degreased.

Step-by-step instructions for decorating a desert composition:

Plants in the form of succulents and cacti do not need frequent watering. The lack of fluid limits their growth, which is a favorable moment when caring for a florarium. To maintain the composition in proper form, watering is carried out once every 50-60 days, the only regular action is removing dust from the florarium.

Original florarium in a hanging vessel

The wide opening of the container greatly simplifies the procedure for decorating a florarium. A round miniature aquarium, a voluminous decorative glass or a drop-shaped hanging vessel are good options for creating an exquisite composition. Prepare the following materials:

• vessel with a capacity of 1.5-2.0 l;
• plants that match the conditions of their keeping, as an option you can take 1 stone rose, a couple of saxifrage bushes;
• materials for drainage design, soil and charcoal;
• decorative elements (driftwood, figurines or houses);
• spoon, tweezers, spray bottle, scissors.

As in the previous master class, the vessel chosen for decorating the florarium is thoroughly washed and degreased with alcohol.

The creative process of creating a composition contains the following steps:

Caring for a florarium does not contain any innovations: no direct sunlight with sufficient diffuse lighting, periodic watering.

Sophistication of geometric shapes

Trend last years- design of florariums geometric shapes, which are made using Tiffany technology. The many edges, coupled with their asymmetrical arrangement, contribute to the formation of unique outlines. It’s difficult to make a geometric florarium yourself, it’s better to purchase ready product and start processing.

First, an edge is determined that will serve as the basis for the composition. This will affect the soil thickness, height and number of plants. The height of the drainage layer and soil is ¼ of the entire container; it is important that it be below the opening of the vessel.

Step by step guide:

• The drainage layer of expanded clay and pebbles is covered with 1 mm of activated carbon, which plays the role of an antiseptic.
• The soil for the composition is distributed with a scoop, after which it is lightly compacted.
• Plants, in our case a set of succulents - cereus, antimima, young and sedum Morgana, are planted at intervals of 2-4 cm. The composition is complemented by sphagnum moss.
• Pebbles and decorative sand complete the composition.

Watering of plants is carried out with a minimum interval of 30 days; if necessary, the leaves are wiped with a sponge or sprayed with a spray bottle. Over time, overgrown succulents need to be replanted.

Depending on the plants chosen for the composition, the design and care of the florarium differs in complexity. But in any case, this is an interesting activity that can captivate all family members. Florarium has a beneficial effect on emotional condition those present in the room.

A florarium or plant terrarium is a small home greenhouse, a clear glass or plastic container in which plants grow. Dry air in winter time years, lack of lighting, cold on the windowsill from the window glass and lack of time for regular care They often give up on the dream of having their own tropical garden with moisture-loving and heat-loving species. It is the florarium - perfect solution for those who love exotic plants, but the climatic conditions of an ordinary city apartment are not conducive to growing them.

What is a florarium

As a rule, the florarium is made of glass or dense, translucent plastic; there are also completely wooden model or combined, with transparent inserts. Unlike a terrarium, a florarium necessarily has a narrowed entrance hole at the top or side to ensure a microclimate inside the container. Often this hole is completely covered with a lid. Special containers are used for growing plants, as well as all kinds of glass bottles, jars with lids, large wine bottles, bowls with a narrowed hole, laboratory flasks.

The main purpose of the florarium is to maintain a more or less stable level of humidity and temperature, like in a greenhouse. Special equipment for heating and lighting can make the florarium independent of the source of natural light and heat. All this allows you to grow the most demanding plants in a container, requiring certain conditions and care. If the florarium is completely closed, it is necessary to regularly ventilate it so that condensation does not accumulate on the walls.

For plant terrariums, rectangular aquariums, terrariums for turtles, snakes and other animals, large round vases, bowls, even ordinary glass cups or glasses are used. This option is also called a display florarium. Access to plants here is open from above, which means you must strictly observe temperature regime, regularly water and spray, avoid drafts if the plants need it.

Another important advantage of florariums is their compactness, which is especially important for owners small apartments and small window sills where there is not enough space for large flowerpots. Various plant compositions in the terrarium look very stylish and extraordinary, especially in comparison with standard pots with indoor plants.

It is worth remembering that no matter how slowly the plants grow, sooner or later they will become cramped in a small container. Then the flowers can be transplanted into pots, and the florarium can be filled with a new composition.

Types of florariums

Florarium, in fact, imitates natural conditions habitat of the selected plants. Therefore, you need to create a florarium with your own hands, based on the climate zone and habitat. You should not plant wet forest ferns and a desert succulent in the same terrarium. Each type of florarium requires its own regime of watering, ventilation and temperature so that the entire plant composition does not die. Let's look at the three main types of florariums.

Florarium “Tropical Rain Forests”

The compositions are based on tropical rainforests with a huge variety of plants, for example, Amazon rainforests, humid forests South-East Asia, Atlantic equatorial coastal forests. Even in a miniature container, you can recreate the semblance of multi-tiered jungle forests using plants different heights. It is important that the foreground of the composition remains open, allowing all tiers to be seen. Although the image of a tropical forest is created mainly visually, using plants that can be freely purchased in flower shops. It is not at all necessary to look for rare tropical species. The main condition when selecting plants for the composition is similar soil requirements, moderate growth and the need for high relative humidity. It is preferable to use soil of a complex composition, with an admixture of coarse sand, leaf soil, and peat. For supporting high humidity You can place a small cup of water in the vessel and decorate it, put a small piece of driftwood pulled out of the water.

Plants: ivy , asparagus, dwarf ficus, calamus, begonia, miniature ferns, crotons, phytonia, chamedorea, selaginella, some types of bamboo with moderate growth.

Care.Caring for compositions with plants from the humid tropics largely comes down to maintaining optimal humidity and temperature in the container. Humidity level 70-85%, temperature at least 25°C, frequent watering or spraying in very dry air conditions of the apartment or when using an open terrarium.

Florarium "Semi-Desert"

If you have neither the time nor the desire to monitor the humidity in the terrarium, frequently water and feed the soil, it doesn’t matter, there are plants that do not need careful care at all. We are talking about the inhabitants of deserts and semi-deserts - a group of plants collectively called succulents. And although it is believed that florariums are only suitable for tropical plants, succulents feel just as good in containers. It is convenient for them to use open terrariums and vessels without a narrowed neck. The soil can be formed from coarse and finely sifted sand, put several stones, and decorate with ceramic fragments.

Plants: all kinds of succulents of the original form - young, agave, adromiscus, beetroot, greenovia, dikia, Kalanchoe, malefora, spurge, euphorbia, different types of cacti.

Care. Watering should be done as the soil dries out. During the growth period, from spring to autumn, once a week - one and a half times is enough, and in winter period- once every three to four weeks. If you went on vacation for a couple of weeks, don’t worry, the plants will greet you in the same impeccable form. Succulents prefer moderate room temperature, even cool in winter - 13-15°C. The sun's rays are necessary, so placement on window sills is quite justified.

Florarium "Mountains"

Mountain plants in plant terrariums can be divided into two types: inhabitants of high-altitude rocky, semi-desert plateaus and plants of forest foothills, including tropical rainforests. Therefore, the range of plants for a florarium with a mountain landscape is generally the same as for the other two species. Dry mountain regions are characterized by semi-desert plants, while forested mountains are characterized by inhabitants of humid forests. Representatives of the Gesneriaceae - Saintpaulia, as well as some climbing plants, are specific for rocky areas. Again, depending on the chosen direction, the soil should be oily, rich in organic matter and with good drainage or desert, with large pebbles. Actively use large stones of irregular shape, with sharp edges and chips, which will imitate rock ledges and peaks.

Plants: seleginella, ferns, ivy, saintpaulias, succulents, cacti .

Care corresponds to either florariums with tropical plants or desert ones.

Florarium "Moss"

Mosses are a plant division distributed across all continents, numbering more than 10,000 species! In nature, mosses grow in almost all climatic zones, often in very extreme habitat conditions. Bryophytes usually form dense clusters in shady places, love humidity, so they can grow in close proximity to water. Although there are many species that thrive in sunny, dry areas, as well as in conditions of constantly low temperatures. In florariums, moss is often an additional element covering open areas of the ground. But it is quite acceptable to make the main character of the composition out of moss. To do this, you can purchase moss from flower shops for landscape design and decorating indoor plants, for example, sphagnum moss, and digging up some types of moss in the forest. It is advisable to cut off only the top part, without the rhizome, to allow the moss covering to recover. A composition with moss can include other plants, but try to ensure that they do not overlap or distract attention from the soft velvety covering. Moss takes root well in acidic soil, so you can purchase a special moss substrate in the store that can be laid on top of regular soil. With moss, florariums with a landscape of a forest in a temperate climate zone work well.

Care. Create natural habitat conditions for moss. Place a container of water in the florarium and frequently spray the entire arrangement.

Master class on how to make a florarium with your own hands

In order to make a florarium with your own hands, you will need:

• glass container with or without a lid (aquarium, vase, jar)
• soil that matches the plants
• drainage (sand, small pebbles, expanded clay, broken brick)
• activated or charcoal
• plants
• decorative elements for decoration (figurines, houses, branches, driftwood)
• tools (spatula or spoon, long tweezers, sprayer, watering can, scissors)

Prepare a container for planting plants. Wash it well and pour boiling water over it. Place a drainage layer 3-4 cm high. This can be expanded clay, coarse sand, pebbles, decorative stones for an aquarium, and the like.

Place activated carbon directly on top of the drainage in tablets or crushed, you can use fine charcoal. This is necessary to absorb harmful chemicals coming from the water, preventing the formation of mold and mildew. By the way, it is recommended to water and spray the plants in the terrarium with filtered water.

Pour 5-8 cm of damp soil on top. By the way, crushed coal can be mixed with the soil rather than laid separate layer. For compositions with desert plants, you can use sifted sand, and for tropical plants, a ready-made substrate. For decorative purposes, layers of soil can be alternated with thin layers colored sand.

Level the soil and use a spoon to make small indentations for the plants. Remove the plants themselves from the pots and clean the roots. Using tweezers, carefully plant the plants and sprinkle the roots with soil. Make sure that large leaves do not touch the walls of the container, otherwise condensation may constantly accumulate on them and they will rot.

Carefully spray the planted plants with a sprayer. If the soil is not wet enough, water it with a watering can with a thin spout. Add decorative elements.

Here is another master class on how to make a florarium in a jar. By the way, a wonderful joint activity with children!

Photos of different types of florariums for inspiration

Many of us love indoor flowers and dream of placing them in the house so that they become a beautiful, unusual decorative element that fits perfectly into the interior. But not every family has a large enough space in their house or apartment to afford a winter garden or even a green corner.

And here florariums come to the rescue - miniature gardens inside transparent containers. What is a florarium, what are its features and how to make such a living decoration with your own hands?

The history of the idea of ​​growing cacti and orchids in an enclosed space

These elegant mini-gardens are not a new invention. They have been a traditional decoration of secular salons and fashion store windows since the 18th century. It was then that Nathaniel Ward, a British naturalist researcher, came up with the idea of ​​placing capricious tropical plants inside a container, where a favorable microclimate was created for them.

Ward's box - the first example of a florarium from the distant past

Today, florariums are coming back into fashion; they are in great demand among flower lovers and original design. In our latitudes it is not easy to create suitable conditions for some plants. But you can easily place a miniature garden in a small container on a table, shelf, or nightstand anywhere in the room.

In essence, a florarium is the same aquarium, but instead of water and fish, it is filled with stones, sand and plants small size or dwarf varieties. Due to the small size and closed or limited shape of the container, the effect of a greenhouse is created inside such a mini-garden: the plants are surrounded by warmth and high humidity.

In stores you can find the most florariums different types: from professional ones, equipped with automatic watering, hydrometer, lighting and heating, to simple and affordable gardens in aquariums or bottles. But if you want to make such a small miracle yourself, then first of all you need to learn about plants suitable for different types of florariums.

Making a composition

Select representatives of the fauna for the mini-garden, following these principles:

• plant height no more than 20 cm;
• resistance to high humidity;
• low growth rate.

For which plants is a sealed container suitable, and for which – an open container?

The question often arises of whether to choose an open or sealed (closed) container for certain types of plants. The first and second options have their pros and cons.

Plants will feel great in the right container

Table: pros and cons of open and closed containers

A variety of plants are used in the compositions in the florarium:

1. The most widespread among florarium lovers are ferns, dieffenbachias, calamus, fittonia, selaninella, and mosses of various types. With the help of these plants you can give the florarium the appearance of a coniferous, deciduous or tropical forest.
2. Can be given to a florarium bright look with help flowering plants- violets, cyclamens, azaleas and others. But do not forget that they are very susceptible to rotting. Either choose types of flowers that are resistant to moisture, or use larger containers and provide good ventilation to the florarium.
3. Florariums with cacti planted in them are very beautiful. For such a product, you definitely need an open container with constant access to fresh air and zero chance of condensation forming. Or choose cacti native to tropical forests.
4. Orchids enclosed in the space of a florarium are simply magnificent. But don't forget how capricious these flowers are. Firstly, to build such a florarium (they are called orchidariums), you need to try very hard, and you can’t do it without skill. And secondly, you will have to provide heating, lighting, and watering using special equipment.

One of the features of plants for florariums is their low growth rate. After all, we are dealing with a very limited space, and if the plant quickly increases in size, then we will have to regularly update the entire composition. In conditions of small space and a small layer of soil, plants themselves usually slow down the growth process. But to be on the safe side, you can trim the roots a little when planting.

• sphagnum moss;
• ferns - nephrolepis, pteris, multirow, asplenium, adiantum;
• orchids;
• Saintpaulia (violets);
• cyclamens;
• Guzmania;
• azalea;
• fittonia;
• crotons;
• begonia;
• cryptanus;
• Crassulaceae - " Money Tree", echeveria, young;
• cacti and succulents - notocactus, echinopsis, rebutia, rhipsalis, prickly pear.

Photo gallery: flowers for growing in glass vessels

Alocasia - beautifully shaped leaves with bright colors

Varieties of begonias with small leaves

Rejuvenating, or stone rose

Any type of moss

Any ferns are not large sizes

Cacti of many types

Saintpaulia, better known to us as violet

For capricious orchids the florarium will require special conditions

List of suitable containers and materials for decoration

A florarium can be arranged in almost any transparent vessel. It could be:

• small round aquarium;
• bottle with a narrow neck;
• clear glass vase;
• jar of any size;
• laboratory flask;
• wineglass;
• bulb.

In addition, in a special store you can purchase ready-made vessels of any geometric shape.

Any clear glass container is suitable for creating a florarium.

Florariums in bottles are very popular and miniature compositions in light bulbs. They look beautiful, original, and do not take up much space. But their self-production quite complicated: it’s difficult to pour soil through a narrow neck, insert plants, and arrange all the elements in the right order. Therefore, if you are just learning the art of creating a florarium, start with an aquarium, a large wine glass or a jar.

Photo gallery: florariums in glasses, bottles and other glass vessels

Why not arrange a composition of florariums in square decanters?

Simple shaped glass glasses are a great place for a composition of small plants

A wide variety of compositions are most often placed in aquariums.

An ordinary jar can also be turned into a mini-garden

The vase is an excellent container for a florarium in the style of a dense forest

A set of florariums in small hanging balls looks stylish

Bottles with narrow necks are perhaps the most common vessels for florariums

Laboratory flask - an excellent form for a micro-kindergarten

In a glass or plastic teapot you can make a marine-style florarium

Even in a French press kettle you can make a stylish florarium

From large vases-florariums you can create a whole composition

Florarium "Rainforest" can be arranged in a multifaceted vessel

You can use a variety of materials to decorate the surface of your garden.

Photo gallery: materials for decorating home desert or tropics

A small snag of original shape can become the basis for a forest or mountain florarium design

Pebbles, shells, pearls - and an ordinary florarium becomes a piece of the underwater kingdom

Layer artificial snow, ceramic figurines of forest animals - and your florarium turns into a Christmas fairy tale

Expanded clay is suitable not only for drainage, but also for decoration, and colored pebbles will complete the look

Dry driftwood goes well with any plants

Stones of small and large sizes will give a certain natural style landscape of the florarium

Small toy figurines made of ceramics, glass or plastic will give the florarium the atmosphere of a fairy-tale performance

Using colored sand you can create a multi-layer composition

Step-by-step master classes with photos

Preparation and a little more inspiration

The good thing about homemade florariums is that the container for them can be of any size, and you can easily find it at home. Therefore, we offer you several options for making a small flower world, from the simplest to the complex, requiring attention, patience and accuracy.

Simple tools will help you make a florarium:

• spoon;
• brush;
• tube or stick;
• tweezers.

Tools for working on a florarium: spoon, brush, tube, tweezers

It is important to know! To make your florarium not only look beautiful, but also become a comfortable home for the plants living in it, consider the following ratios regarding the height of the vessel: 1 part drainage, 3 parts soil and 1 part material decorating the surface - small pebbles, coarse river sand, moss.

Photo gallery: surface design ideas

A minimum of plants, decoration - and you have in your hands a piece of semi-desert with a reminder of prehistoric oceans

Deciduous forest within the boundaries of the vessel

In the style of minimalism - stones and 1-2 plants

A combination of layers of soil and sand will help to achieve a stepped effect.

From moss alone you can create the look of a forest corner

Use large angular stones for decoration to create a rocky mountain effect.

In an aquarium or round vessel

The wide opening of the neck allows you to easily fill the container and place elements in it. You can use not only a round aquarium, but also a large wine glass or this cute and original drop-shaped hanging container.

Instead of a regular aquarium, you can use this original vessel

We will use it in the master class. You will need the following materials and tools:

• a suitable glass container with a volume of 1.5–2 liters;
• plants, for example, 1 rock rose and 2-3 peperomia or saxifrage bushes;
• soil that matches the plants;
• drainage (sand, small pebbles, expanded clay, broken brick);
• activated or charcoal;
• plants;
• decorative elements for decoration (figurines, houses, branches, driftwood);
• spatula or spoon, long tweezers, sprayer, watering can, scissors.

Prepare a vessel, soil, drainage materials, coal, selected plants, decor and necessary tools

Before you begin, prepare the selected container. It must be thoroughly washed, treated with boiling water and degreased with alcohol.

Progress:

1. To begin, place drainage about 4 cm high at the bottom of the container. It may consist of coarse sand, expanded clay, pebbles, decorative stones or other similar materials.

   
   

   Place a small layer of drainage on the bottom of the vessel

2. Place activated carbon, either crushed or directly in tablets, on top of the drainage. You can replace it with charcoal. This product will prevent the formation of mold and rot in the future by absorbing chemicals supplied with water.

   
   

   Place a layer of coal on top of the drainage

3. Now fill in the moistened soil. For this florarium (with stone rose, saxifrage and peperomia), it is advisable to use a mixture of 1 part leaf soil, 1 part peat and 2 parts coarse sand. You don’t have to lay the coal in an additional layer, but simply mix it with the prepared soil. Tropical plants A ready-made substrate from a specialized store is more suitable. To make your florarium more decorative, try alternating the soil with layers of colored sand.

   
   

   Cacti of many types

4. Carefully level the soil layer. Using a spoon, make holes to accommodate the plants. The distance between them should be about 3 cm so that the roots growing over time do not interfere with each other.
5. Now you need to remove the plants from the pots and carefully clean their roots from the soil. After this, take the bushes with tweezers one at a time and place them in the holes made. Sprinkle the roots with soil using a scoop or tablespoon. Plant the plants so that their leaves do not come into contact with the walls of the aquarium, otherwise over time they will begin to rot from the accumulated condensate.

   
   

   Carefully place the plants in the soil, pressing down the soil so that the roots do not stick out.

6. Gently spray the plants with a spray bottle. You can water the soil a little if you think it is a little dry. Place moss around the plants and add decorative ornaments if desired. Pieces of bark or twigs would look good as an addition to this florarium. unusual shape. In this case, moss serves not only to decorate and give a forest style to the composition; it will absorb excess moisture and regulate soil temperature.

   Decorate the composition with moss, pebbles and figurines

Caring for a florarium is simple: provide it with enough diffused sunlight out of direct sunlight, water as the soil dries.

In a large tall jar - for beginners

The larger the volume of the vessel and the wider its neck, the easier it is to create a florarium. You will need the following materials:

• jar with a volume of 3 liters or more;
• charcoal;
• soil from 1 part peat and 2 parts leaf soil;
• plants - asplenium or arachniodes, cryptanthus, ophiopogon, balsam;
• gloves;
• scoop;
• watering can.

Prepare a jar, plants, moss, soil and tools for work

Don't forget about hygiene and safety rules. Since you are working with soil and a glass container, wear gloves on your hands.

Progress:

1. Place a layer on the bottom of the jar charcoal about 5 cm thick. Mix the remaining charcoal with the prepared soil.

   

   Make a drainage layer from charcoal, mix the remains with the soil

2. Start adding this mixture to the container in layers. Press the soil down firmly every 5 centimeters to prevent air pockets from forming.

   

   Pour the soil into the jar, constantly pressing it down

3. When the jar is half filled with soil, begin planting the selected plants. Maintain the required interval of 3–4 cm so that the bushes do not interfere with each other - the size of the jar allows this.

   

   Plant plants in the ground so that they are a short distance from each other

4. Make sure that all the roots are deep into the soil and do not stick out. Adjust the plants if necessary, then compact the soil tightly.

   

   Compact the soil around the plants

5. Place moss in between plants.

   

   Now spread the moss on vacant plots surfaces

6. Gently water the plants in the container. It is better to do this with a watering can with a thin spout, directly on the soil, so as not to damage the leaves (if water gets in, they can begin to rot, which will lead to fungus, mold, and the death of the entire composition). Place the florarium in a place with diffused lighting so that direct sunlight does not stimulate rapid plant growth. You don’t want to redo your florarium every 2-3 weeks, do you?

   

   Water the planted plants with a watering can

7. Next, you are only required to care for the plants in the florarium. Watering is needed no more than once a week, depending on the selected plants. You can also trim the leaves if they begin to grow beyond the jar.

   

   Over time, simply trim off any leaves that extend beyond the boundaries of the container.

Semi-desert succulent in a candy bowl

This florarium with cacti and succulents is easy both to make and to care for. But it is unusually beautiful thanks to the combination of several types of cacti (gymnocalycium, echinopsis, milkweed, prickly pear) and stone rose- plants called young.

A florarium with a semi-desert landscape in a vase is very beautiful and unpretentious

If you have the opportunity to use painted cacti, be sure to do so to add some color to the arrangement.

For this florarium, select several cacti and succulents

So, you will need:

• plants;
• a low cylindrical vase-candy bowl;
• soil for cacti and succulents;
• small pebbles or expanded clay for drainage and the top decorative layer.

A vase, plants, soil and expanded clay - everything you need for your semi-desert

Wash the vase in hot water, dry and degrease, then begin making the florarium.

Progress:

Cacti and succulents do not require frequent watering. On the contrary: than less water, the better they feel, and most importantly, they grow less, which is very important for the limited size of the florarium. Therefore, caring for such a composition will be reduced to watering once every 1.5–2 months and removing dust from the surface.

Geometric garden

Nowadays, vessels of various complex geometric shapes are very fashionable - from a simple pyramid to a pentakisdodecahedron. They have many faces, and not always symmetrical and the same in size, which is why the figure takes on fantastic shapes. You can create such a vessel yourself, but you cannot do without certain special skills and tools. Therefore, it is better to buy a finished product and apply your imagination directly to creating a florarium in it.

Polygonal vessels are great for creating a florarium

You will need:

• polygonal shaped vessel;
• succulents - young, cereus, sedum Morgana, antimime or others;
• moss (sphagnum);
• soil from leaf soil and river sand in equal proportions;
• drainage (expanded clay or small pebbles);
• decorative sand, pebbles, figurines.

Prepare a vessel, plants, moss, soil and tools

When choosing a container, decide immediately on which edge it will stand. The thickness of the soil layer and the number of plants that will fit in the florarium depend on this. The base of the composition - drainage and soil - should be no more than 1/4 of the entire container, and most importantly, its level should be below the hole in the container.

Progress:

Water the soil no more than once a month and, if necessary, wipe the leaves with a damp sponge to remove dust or spray them with a spray bottle. As the succulents grow, they will need to be replanted.

Microworld in a light bulb

This option is perhaps the most difficult. Before you begin arranging the interior space, you need to carefully prepare the vessel. And since this is a light bulb, some skills are needed, in particular in disassembling the base.

Florariums in a light bulb are usually closed. This way, a self-sufficient microclimate is created inside the container, ideal for any plants used.

Florariums in a light bulb - jewelry work

In addition to the light bulb itself, prepare the following tools:

• pliers;
• scissors;
• tweezers;
• screwdriver;
• protective glasses.

To work you will need pliers, scissors, tweezers, a screwdriver and glasses

And for the “filling” take:

• sand;
• any succulent plant - gasteria, aloe.

For safety reasons, be sure to wear safety glasses and begin disassembling the base.

Progress:

1. Take the light bulb in left hand and carefully crumble the bottom of the plinth with pliers. It will give in easily, since it is made of fragile material.

   
   

   Crush the bottom of the plinth with pliers

2. Using a screwdriver, remove the spiral inside the light bulb.

   
   

   Remove the spiral with a screwdriver

3. Remove all internal fragments with tweezers.

   
   

   Remove the remaining parts from the light bulb

4. The light bulb is completely ready to place its contents.

   
   

   The light bulb is ready for further action

5. Before you start creating your landscaping, make a small stand to keep the light bulb stable. It could even be droplets of silicone glue.

   
   

   Attach something to the light bulb as a stand to provide stability

6. You can buy sand or collect it on the street. In any case, you need to rinse it well running water. Do this until the water becomes completely clear.

   
   

   If you pick up sand outside, be sure to wash it off

7. Now pour sand into a baking tray and bake in the oven. This is mandatory, so you will destroy harmful microorganisms and mold spores.

   
   

   Heat the sand to destroy mold and microorganisms

8. Carefully pour a little sand (a layer of about 1–1.5 cm) inside the light bulb. To make it easier, use a funnel or a sheet of paper folded in half.

   
   

   Pour some sand into the light bulb

9. Using tweezers, place the moss on the sand and position it correctly using a thin stick. You can collect moss at your dacha or buy a package of dry plants at a flower shop. He doesn't need special care and watering.

   
   

   Place moss on the sand

10. Very carefully push the succulent inside the light bulb, be sure to root first so as not to damage the dense leaves. Using a thin stick, move the bush and press the roots into the sand.

    
    

    Use tweezers to push the plant through and dig its roots into the sand.

So the little florarium in a light bulb is ready. If you wish, you can add some other decorative element, for example, a figurine.

This florarium requires almost no maintenance, since the shape of the light bulb ensures circulation required quantity air and moisture for the plant. The condensate produced is enough to maintain humidity at the proper level so that you do not have to water the plant. All you need to do is wipe the light bulb from dust from time to time.

As you can see, even such meticulous, almost jewelry-like work can be done!

Video: how to make a tiny florarium inside a light bulb

Video: instructions for making a florarium in a vase-glass with your own hands

Video: all the nuances of creating a florarium

The art of creating DIY florariums for succulents and other plants can be simple or very complex, but either way it's a great activity for the whole family. Parents and children will be happy to participate in it, and in the end you will get your own little cozy world, enclosed in transparent boundaries. Share with us your experience of growing plants in a confined space. Good luck and comfort to your home!

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If you're too busy, forgetful, or think you're a hopeless gardener, we want to tell you about a terrarium or florarium made from Succulents. Cut flowers quickly wither, but succulents will last for more than one year. These plants are especially good in winter, when everything around falls into hibernation, is covered with snow and looks inconspicuous.

The created terrarium will give you the opportunity to enjoy the greenery of the living world at home. Yes, those same miniature gardens that were popular in the Victorian era are back. Of course, first of all this is due to ease of care, but an important factor is their natural beauty.

To create a terrarium you will need:

1. A clean glass container (this can be found in many places, including gardening or landscaping stores. Even a fish tank purchased from a pet store will work).
2. Crushed stone.
3. Special soil for Cacti and Succulents.
4. The succulents themselves.
5. Decorative crushed stones and pebbles.
6. Other decorative elements.

Step-by-step instruction

Main layer of crushed stone

Place a layer of crushed stone at the bottom of the vessel.

He will be the basis, which has good drainage properties. Make sure to rinse the container thoroughly to ensure that the small ecosystem you are about to create is bacteria-free.

A layer of special nutrient soil

Add substrate for Succulents and Cacti.

Make sure your succulent soil is stored in an airtight container. This will save your terrarium from mold. and other diseases.

Layer of decorative crushed stone

The top layer is made of decorative crushed stone.

You can make several thick layers so that beautiful layers of different soil can be seen from the side.

Arrangement plan

Use your vision, imagination and just enjoy the process. The main thing is not to worry: if something doesn’t suit you, you can always make amendments.

Planting Succulents

Dig holes for planting flowers.

Once you have completed the decorative layers and outlined your planting plan, make small holes in the soil and plant the plants in these holes. It is necessary to firmly anchor the plants in the soil, since succulents do not have strong root systems.

Decoration and decor

Decorate the surface around the plants decorative stones and other decorative elements that you like. Any natural objects are suitable for these purposes, for example, you can use glass, stone or wood.

This is what the finished terrarium looks like.

If you want to create an imitation of a river, you can put blue crushed glass. And to give modern and noble features to our vintage terrarium, you can use gilded objects.

For reference: Unlike a terrarium, a florarium has a narrowed entrance hole that can be closed with a lid. This is done in order to maintain a more or less constant microclimate inside the vessel. That is why it is easier to care for flowers in such a container.

Such terrariums for plants have become an excellent alternative to traditional flower pots. And if you want to have such a miracle at home or use it as a gift, do not be upset if the price in the store seems too high to you.

Today we will learn how to make a terrarium with your own hands. And we will use succulents as plants for the terrarium.

• open glass sphere (sold in pet stores, garden centers or flower shops);
• glass or other large pebbles (found in garden centers or craft stores, packaged in small nets);
• decorative soil (except for garden centers, it can be found in aquarium departments as soil for aquariums);
• ready-made soil for succulents;
• any decorative elements to your taste (use if you are going to give a terrarium as a gift and the decorations will be thematically related to the holiday);
• succulents for the terrarium: echeveria (1), portulacaria afra (2), Crassula Hobbit (3), Crassula Schmidt (4), Kalanchoe (5), sedum thick-leaved (6).

You can choose other types of succulents, the main thing is that they are small in size and varied in texture and color. One of the plants should be the “main” - in our case it is echeveria, which will become the center of the composition.

2. Sequence of making a terrarium

We start with a drainage layer about 3 cm high, which we place on the bottom of the glass sphere. Succulents do not tolerate stagnant water, so they simply need drainage.

In our case, we created it from colored glass pebbles. Any small pebbles, expanded clay, etc. are suitable for these purposes. We took colored pieces of glass solely for aesthetic reasons.

Sprinkle the drainage layer with ready-made soil for succulents 3-4 cm high. You can use a universal soil mixture, but in this case sand is added to it.

We transplant the succulents into our terrarium. Try to choose a variety of plants. In garden centers you can now find whole sets of succulents about 10 cm high. We will choose them.

Now add a layer of decorative soil. Often such small and medium gravel is used in aquarium farming. It comes in a variety of colors and is sold either by weight or in various packages - from small to large.

Buy the smallest package because we won't need very many of these stones. In our composition they will serve as a decorative element and keep the lower layer of the earth from shifting.

To give the composition a complete look, we place some decorative element in the terrarium. It could be something contrasting, like this heart-shaped decoration. May be beautiful stone or shell. If you are a fan of naturalness, then decorative elements you don't have to add it.

First of all, succulents do not need abundant and frequent watering. The water that flows down after watering should not rise above the level of the drainage layer. Keep in mind that the container does not have a drain hole, and stagnant water is detrimental to succulents.

You can read more about watering succulents in my article “Watering Houseplants”.

And secondly, do not place the terrarium under straight lines. sun rays. In a glass sphere, plant stems and roots will quickly overheat. It is best to place it in a sunny room with shade from direct rays.

In general, such a terrarium requires minimal care, so it can be recommended both as a gift and for growing by novice gardeners.

4. Examples of terrariums with various plants

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