Bottle Gardens

Product Information

Finally, using the funnel, pour in a deeper layer of the potting mix appropriate for your type of plants – all-purpose potting mix for foliage plants or a specialized mix for succulents and cacti. It’s really an evolution of the Wardian case – the mini glass greenhouse used to transport plants on long sea journeys in the 19th Century. You'll also need some good-quality potting compost, shingle or coarse grit and, of course, the plants.

As much as I would love to see the inside, this will be a gift and I don't want to remove the seal, but I have absolute trust it will be just as described and amazing. This method maximizes planting surface area and lets you capitalize more on the volume of the space. A way to (quite literally) breathe new life into a gorgeous glass bottle or to reuse a common plastic product that was destined for recycling. If it’s still dry after several minutes, carefully add a bit more water until all the soil is evenly moistened but never soggy. If you’re craving some nature but are lacking outdoor square footage, it’s time to learn how to grow a bottle garden.

Plant choice and tool availability are more important with bottle terrariums than perhaps any other kind.

Regardless of what you choose for your project, each container will no doubt come with its unique nuances and challenges. Making fantastic gifts and presents to give to people, and really an almost limitless way to express your creatively. We followed our own instructions above but using a very thin later of porous material (pebbles) and no charcoal. In the wild, Aerangis arachnopus orchids grow as part of the ecosystem in evergreen forests in the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Zaire.Some bottle garden guides suggest several ingredients to start, such as sand, activated charcoal, gravel, and cheesecloth. Fungal spores, bacteria and microorganisms take over in the closed, warm environment of a bottle garden. These electrons then become 'free' - and are used in chemical reactions that convert carbon dioxide into carbohydrates, releasing oxygen. If possible, avoid opaque lids, as they reduce the light levels, and metal screw-tops, which can rust.