Terrariums

In writing about sourdough last month, I wrote about Candlemas. That was because I wanted to be sure than anyone who was baking bread for Imbolc not only had time to prepare the starter but the chance to recognize the sacred act of bread baking. Candlemas and Imbolc are the ancient celebrations of the strengthening of the sun after the dark six weeks pursuant to the winter solstice. February 2 marks the halfway point to the spring equinox. There are plenty of ways to celebrate, and the ancient treat of bread and jam are among them. As Imbolc, Candlemas is the complimentary holiday to Lammas, the midpoint between the summer solstice and the autumn equinox. At Lammas, we celebrate the wheat harvest by grinding flour and the fruit harvest by making jam, and at Imbolc we remember those warmer days past and yet to come by baking bread and opening a fresh jar of jam.

It is no coincidence that Candlemas is also Groundhog Day. Yes, we love our yearly check-in with our favorite over-sized, ill-tempered rodent, but all of creation seems to feel the quickening towards springtime. We still spend more time indoors than out, but winter's fireside activities are yielding to the promise of spring's open windows. Seed gardeners traditionally start seedlings at this time, pressing seed into soil in order to germinate tender new growth by the equinox. The urge to welcome growth will continue to assert itself in ways from spring cleaning to a stop by the florist's for a few blossoms to plunk into a vase. January leads us to February, from staying inside for reasons ranging from blizzards to holiday bills to venturing out again for reasons ranging from a ceremony to welcome the strengthening sun to a panicked last-minute run for roses and chocolates. Just ask that groundhog -- winter is about burrowing and spring is about sticking your head out of the burrow.

When John and I set up our Los Angeles apartment, John surprised me by sharing that he had always liked terrariums and suggesting we include one in that space. Not only was this a great idea, it was an appropriate one, as we were setting up housekeeping in January. It may not have been snowy but it was still winter, and if living in two climates teaches anything, it is that the spirit of time interacts with the character of place. January teaches the richness of the possibilities within constraints. What exemplifies this better than a garden that thrives because it is encased?

A terrarium is a miniature garden encased in glass. It is a specialized form of dish garden, but without the glass enclosure, it isn’t a terrarium. Terrarium gardeners must be aware of the distinction because it the glass enclosure not only provides creative expression and learning possibilities, it dictates the kinds of plants to be used and their care. A terrarium is an ecosystem. Condensation forms when moisture is introduced into the sealed environment, and with a little help from the terrarium’s caretaker, the natural processes of botanical lives engage between the plants, the moisture, and the growing medium. Though the terrarium gardener will occasionally need to perform such tasks as watering, trimming or, it must be considered, pest management, in many ways, a terrarium is self-sustaining.

Plants thrive by being in the correct, localized environment for their requirements. For many plants, terrarium living is an ideal situation. Plants suited to terrariums thrive in them. Appropriate plants for a beginner’s terrarium include small ferns, bromeliads, ivy, bird’s nest, nerve plants, begonias, mosses and air plants. Once you get used to these, you can build more exotic terrariums using such plants as orchids, some succulents, lichens and fungi, or carnivores. To determine what plants are suitable for your terrarium, memorize the phrase "small, low and high." This refers to the three key requirements for a plant to thrive in an enclosed environment: small in size while responsive to low light and high humidity.

Vessels for terrariums should be constructed of breathable glass and should provide an opening for air to circulate. This winter, I've seen terrarium vessels at home stores including Crate and Barrel and West Elm. The local nursery can supply plants, growing media, vessels and, often, classes. Tovah Martin's The New Terrarium is an excellent book on the subject, and there are many online gardening communities.

As you construct your terrarium and find the perfect low-light location to house it, take this time to tend to all of the leafy members of your family. Visit with each of your plants as you water, feed and reposition them for light exposure as indicated. Gently trim overgrown plants and reward them for bravely enduring their haircut by replenishing their top soil. Honor the cycle of growth and decay by feeding this spent growth into the mulch. As you care for your new terrarium and all of the green members of your family, time will pass, and soon it will be spring.

TERRARIUM

Activated charcoal is available at many nurseries and any store that sells aquarium supplies. Regular potting soil works just fine for this simple, basic terrarium.

Terrarium supplies
Glass vessel large enough to accommodate plants
Activated charcoal
Potting soil
Selection of plants suitable for terrarium living

Gardening supplies
Gardening gloves
Trowel
Large plant-safe container dedicated to gardening
Spray bottle dedicated to gardening
Moisture meter

Build the terrarium
1. Gently rinse the container with warm water and set aside to air dry.
2. Position a layer of newspaper or a large cardboard box on your working space. Put on gardening gloves.
3. Working over the newspaper or box, use a trowel to measure two to three scoops of potting soil into a clean container reserved for plant care. Measure one-half scoop of activated charcoal into the soil. Use your gloved hands to mix the charcoal into the soil.
4. Once the container is dry, move the container to the working surface. Measure one-half scoop activated charcoal into the container. Use your gloved hands to distribute the charcoal across the bottom of the container. If warranted, add more charcoal to the container until the charcoal reaches a layer of one-inch.
5. Use the trowel to add a two-inch layer of charcoal-infused potting soil to the container. Use your gloved hands to pat the soil down. Continue adding charcoal-infused potting soil to the container and patting it down at successive two-inch marks until the soil layer reaches one-fourth to one-third full.
6. Remove the terrarium plants from their growing containers and gently shake them to remove any packed soil or other growing or shipping media.
7. Position the plants on the soil. There should be room for your fingers to pass between the plants.
8. Use the trowel or your hands to gently add enough potting soil to the terrarium to cover all roots and to stabilize the plants. Pat the soil down.
9. Use a spray bottle to thoroughly water the soil and mist the plants. For the first couple of days, check the terrarium and water/reposition/trim the plants if and as indicated.
10. Place the container in an area where it will receive plentiful but indirect light.

Care for the terrarium
• For the first two days, visit the terrarium a few times to note how the ecosystem is doing. It is good to see moisture collected on the inside wall of the vessel and plants with full leaves and good, bright coloring. Adjust potting depth, moisture level, et cetera if and as indicated. If any plants seem not to be adjusting to or to be harming the system, remove and repot elsewhere/discard as indicated.
• Once the terrarium establishes its ecosystem, visit the terrarium weekly for large terrariums and twice weekly for small terrariums. Use a moisture meter to determine when to water/mist. Trim plants and or perform pest control if and as indicated.

Care for specialized plants
• Caring for all plants is a commitment; specialized plants require special commitment. All specialized plants should come with planting and care instructions. In addition, gardening for specialized plants is supported by the local county extension, nurseries, and online communities. For terrariums, the three most common specialized plants are orchids, air plants and mosses.
• For orchids, follow the planting and care instructions included with the plant to ensure that you are correctly caring for the roots.
• For air plants, position the plants after you have positioned the soil-dwelling plants. Follow the watering instructions included with the plant.
• For mosses, gently tear sheets or clumps of moss and distribute across the top of the soil. Gently mist the moss so that it has the chance to “grab” the soil.