Cactus in a glass flask. A living microcosm with our own hands: we make florariums. Materials to create

Interior decoration with cacti placed in glass containers is incredibly popular today. Florarium with succulents does not require special care, is a kind of highlight of the room. Closed jars create an optimal microclimate for capricious tropical plants - warmth and humidity.

You can make such a plant terrarium with your own hands, and step-by-step instructions will help with this.

What is a florarium

Florarium - succulents in glass, flower arrangement in an aquarium, flasks, jar, tall glass and other glass vessels. The flowers look very impressive - thanks to the transparent walls, you can see not only their above-ground part, but also the root system, the structure of the soil. If you use ready-made mixtures instead of ordinary soil, and pour them in layers, alternating size and color, the composition will be complete.

This option of breeding succulents is the best suited for small spaces, because it takes up less space than floor and regular vases, pots and tubs. Also, a florarium can replace an aquarium with fish, the care of which is more laborious.

Such a home greenhouse is also called a plant terrarium. For planting, you can use almost any, small-sized succulents, the most popular of which are cacti. If there are children at home, plastic containers are used instead of glass containers, and there are also combined models with decorative wooden elements. Regardless of the shape of the container, the neck is always narrowed, it can be located on the side.

If the hole is tightly closed with a wooden plug or lid, then periodically it is necessary to open it so as not to disturb the microclimate inside.

Popular compositions

You can create almost anything in glassware, but a full-fledged aquarium is still considered the optimal capacity, since it is equipped with a backlight and a removable lid. As the succulents grow, a separate ecosystem is organized inside that does not require intervention.

In addition to aquariums, jars, decanters, bottles, glasses, and other vessels are used. They can be purchased specifically for organizing a florarium, or you can use improvised means.

Desert

To reduce the time to care for the composition, types of succulents that do not need care are selected. Florarium of desert-themed cacti is a great solution for a small window sill, desktop.

An open aquarium, a jar, a round decanter with a narrow neck, a candy bowl and glass vases are used as containers. The main desert theme is set by sand:

• colored, which can be poured in layers, vertical stripes or in a chaotic manner;
• shallow river or sea;
• mixture of light sand and dark pebbles.

As an additional decor, use stones (preferably rounded), ceramic chips.

Forest

You can make a composition in the form of a tropical forest by planting tall plants in the background, undersized plants in the foreground. It is necessary to place succulents in such a way that all tiers are visible. Choose heat-loving trees, and the most common ones will do - ferns, ficuses, asparagus, small cacti, ordinary ivy. Consider, as which you can use leafy soil, peat with the addition of sand.

To create an ideal microclimate inside the florarium, place a small container of water in it or, if space permits, an artificial waterfall.

The mountains

To convey the mountain atmosphere as much as possible, plant plants that are native to the forest foothills or rocky terrain:

• succulents, including cacti;
• ferns;
• saintpaulia;
• ivy.

Choose trees with the same requirements for climate, soil, humidity and light levels. When planting in a container of more than 7–10 liters, the florarium's own microclimate is created.

Basics of composition

For the aquarium garden, choose low specimens, a maximum height of 20 cm and below. All of them must be resistant to high concentrations of moisture and low light. For beginners, it is better to take small containers and place them in 3-5 small plants.

Advantages and disadvantages of open and closed containers

The advantages of open containers for florariums include:

• easy access to soil and plants for care;
• regular air flow;
• suitable microclimate for succulents, including cacti, which are accustomed to low humidity.

The disadvantages of this method of growing florarium include:

• the presence of open access to oxygen, which reduces the air temperature - this is not suitable for heat-loving plants;
• more frequent pruning is required because a constant supply of oxygen stimulates growth;
• a strong fixation of the structure is required.

A closed florarium also has advantages:

• minimum watering:
• slow plant growth due to lack of air access;
• all care consists in infrequent pruning and removal of dead leaves;
• an ideal microclimate for tropical plants that need high humidity and high temperatures.

Cons of closed containers:

• excess water that accumulates in the soil can lead to decay;
• sometimes it is necessary to organize a double bottom in order to eliminate excess moisture;
• the container must have a lid for ventilation.

It is necessary to choose vessels for floriums, based on the habitual living conditions for plants.

For which plants is an airtight vessel suitable, and for which an open vessel

An open florarium is suitable for such plants:

• cacti, aloe, crassula and other succulents;
• flowering plants - cyclamens, violets, azaleas;
• orchids.

For a closed container, you can select the following plants:

• ferns;
• fittonia;
• dieffenbachia.

Always consider the growth rate, especially when building a multi-level florarium. If the plants in the foreground of the vessel grow faster than those in the background, after a while the decorative effect of the composition will be disturbed.

Compliance with the principles of plant compatibility

In small containers, you can plant plants that are characterized by a slow growth rate. At the same time, it is difficult to judge it by the appearance of the plant, but the shortened stems, like those of begonias, saintpaulia, are the distinguishing features. "Inhabitants" of the florarium are grouped depending on their requirements for illumination, temperature, soil and air humidity.

Consider also decorative properties - the shape, size of the sheet and its texture, color, outlines. Use the principles of contrast or, conversely, similarity. Plants with large dark green dense leaves in the background and delicate weightless ones in the front will look beautiful.

Preparatory stage

Before starting the organization of the florarium, it is necessary to do the following - prepare the container, soil, pick up plants, study the basics of the composition and think about how the "inhabitants" of the florarium will be located inside the transparent container.

Choosing a location for the florarium

Florarium of any type - sealed or open - should not be placed close to the window, as the sun's rays will refract through the glass and can cause leaf burns. Accordingly, choose darkened places where direct rays do not fall during the day. Only in winter, when there is not enough sunlight, you can rearrange the container on the windowsill.

If you have chosen light-loving plants, organize artificial lighting. Besides the fact that it will create a good microclimate for the inhabitants of the florarium, the decorative effect of the composition will improve. When watering, try not to wet the glass, as drips inside the container will impair the degree of light penetration and decorativeness. The same rule applies to condensate - regularly ventilate a tightly closed vessel so that drops of moisture and mold do not appear on the inner surface of the glass.

The florarium can be organized not only in a dry container, but also in water. The miniature pond looks original, but requires more care, since flowering immediately begins with high humidity.

Tank and soil preparation

The following vessels can be used as a container for a home greenhouse:

• flask;
• decanter;
• round glass ball with a hole at the top;
• candy bowl;
• large light bulbs;
• glasses;
• glasses;
• regular and decorative jars;
• aquariums with and without lids.

Sand and gravel or gravel culture is suitable for growing succulents. Gravel and sand can be collected on the seashore or you can buy ready-made mixtures in the store. Before planting plants, treatment from bacteria and fungi is required. It is optimal to ignite the mixture on a baking sheet or in a pan, after washing it under running water.

Natural materials are distinguished by the natural beauty of shades that you can combine to create multi-colored stripes or spots on the bottom of the florarium. Ready mixtures are often dyed in bright colors.

In addition to sand and gravel, activated carbon, pre-crushed, drainage, hydrogel, gravel, irregularly shaped stones, pebbles can be used. A shell, a snag, decorations for ordinary aquariums made of plastic, ceramics are suitable as a decor.

Landing technology and decoration

It is necessary to plant pre-selected plants in a prepared container as follows:

1. Wipe and polish the vessel, especially the inner walls, you can use a ready-made glass cleaner. Wear latex gloves to avoid leaving marks on the glass.
2. Carefully remove the plants from the pots, shake off the roots from the soil and rinse under warm water.
3. Pour a layer of sand about 1 cm thick on the bottom of the vessel. Lay expanded clay with activated carbon and hydrogel or other fillers in the center. Place the plants in the bowl, and fill the gaps with colored ready-made or self-extracted sand, gravel, crushed stone. It is important that the leaves do not touch the walls of the container.
4. Lay the decor in such a way that as the inhabitants of the florarium grow, it is not covered with leaves.

If the structure will stand with the back wall to the support, place the bulk of the decor along the front edge, and plant the plants so that the tall ones are at the back of the vessel.

Subtleties of care

Caring for a florarium with succulents is minimal - these plants love moisture and light, but are not demanding on watering. Caring for a composition with flowering plants is more difficult, because they need a regular supply of fresh air, shading and optimum temperature. Any greenhouse needs to be watered and fed.

Lighting

It is undesirable to place florariums under direct sunlight, even with heat-loving plants. According to the principle of operation, such compositions are similar to greenhouses, and direct sunlight sharply increases the temperature inside and disrupts the vital activity of plants.

If there is not enough light, which can be understood by the yellowness on the leaves, the diseased type of plants, it is necessary to organize the backlight. You can use an ordinary fluorescent light bulb, which is located not on the side, but above the container.

In aquariums, there are lights built into the lid. They can also be used, but not always.

In summer and spring, place the greenhouse on a windowsill or table in the northern part of the room, and in autumn and winter - closer to sunlight. But never place vessels near radiators and other heating devices.

Temperature

Most of the plants used for mini-greenhouses are thermophilic, therefore they tolerate the elevated air temperature in the room well. In general, succulents and flowering specimens grow well at a temperature of +22-28 ° C, many varieties tolerate temperature drops to +10 degrees and below.

Humidity

In their natural environment, cacti, crassula, young and other plants suitable for a plant terrarium grow in conditions of low humidity in deserts. With frequent or irregular tides, rotting can begin in the roots and ground parts. In addition, the decorative effect of the composition deteriorates significantly - drops of condensate and putrefactive deposits appear on the walls inside.

Water the plants no more than 1-2 times a week, focusing on the degree of drying of the soil. Through transparent glass, you can see that the soil or moss has dried up, wrinkled. In this case, it is necessary to water the soil over the entire area, trying not to get water on the inner walls of the vessel. The soil should be saturated, but water should not accumulate in the drainage layer. If you poured a lot of liquid, carefully tilt the vessel and use paper towels to scoop out excess moisture.

As water for irrigation, settled or filtered room temperature is used. When growing plants in open containers, spraying 1-2 times a week is recommended. Using a spray bottle, gently spray those parts of the plants that are in the upper half of the vessel. You can also use a household humidifier.

A miniature greenhouse in glass with trees, flowering plants, cacti is not just another fashion trend, but an original decoration of an apartment or office that will not leave anyone indifferent.

Breeding indoor plants brings both aesthetic pleasure and health benefits. But the standard cultivation of flowers in pots may seem like a fairly simple and everyday activity. You can diversify your hobby by making an unusual florarium with your own hands.

What is a florarium

Florarium, or plant terrarium - a closed glass container in which plants are grown. Most often used for planting capricious heat-loving flowers.

The history of the invention of the florarium goes back to the distant 18th century, when the British naturalist Nathaniel Ward came up with the brilliant idea of ​​growing delicate tropical plants in a container. In other words, he recreated the habitual habitat for such specimens.

Advantages over classical floriculture

• The florarium does not require frequent watering, which partially replaces the condensate that forms inside the container.
• It is relatively easy to make.
• Such a small tropical garden has an unusual appearance: having made a florarium, you can easily diversify the interior and surprise your family and friends.

Species and suitable plants

Florarium can be open and closed. Closed is ideal for plants that like high humidity. It can be:

1. Fittonia.
2. Orchids (for example, phalaenopsis).
3. Some varieties of begonias.
4. Predatory plants (dew, flycatcher).
5. Bromeliads.
6. Small Saintpaulias.
7. Pelleya fern.

Photo gallery: flowers for a closed florarium

Solemn and unusual plant Bromeliad must be small The colorful leaves of the royal begonia will look great. Florarium is an ideal place for sundew Phalaenopsis also tolerates growing in a florarium well. It will be comfortable in a mini-garden and violets

For an open florarium, succulents are best suited:

1. Fat women.
2. Stonecrops.
3. cacti.

Photo gallery: specimens for an outdoor mini-garden

Aloe is suitable for making a florarium by beginners A composition with agave will also be good Stonecrop looks very original Echeveria mini-gardens are also widespread.

List of suitable containers

1. Jar.
2. Bulb.
3. Wide glass.
4. Aquarium.
5. Bottle.
6. Transparent vase.
7. Flask.
8. Multifaceted vessel.

Photo gallery: a glass, a bottle and so on - what to make a composition in

Vases can be filled not only with bouquets Who would have thought that a kettle could be used as a mini-garden! Exquisite version of the florarium The result of hard and long work A skillful florarium can be built in a wide bottle

Often decorations are placed in the finished florarium: smooth pebbles, decorative figurines, beads and more - it all depends on your imagination.

DIY step by step instructions

• The thickness of the soil layer is determined taking into account the size of the florarium and the root system of plants. On average, it is 5-6 cm.
• The optimal thickness of the charcoal layer is 1 cm. This is quite enough for disinfection.
• All florariums should be protected from direct sunlight to avoid plant burns.
• The remains of dead plants can be used as fertilizer.

Florarium for beginners in a glass jar

Materials and tools:

1. Glass jar.
2. Fresh and dry moss.
3. Activated or regular charcoal for disinfection.
4. Drainage (expanded clay, broken brick, sand).
5. Tweezers.
6. Priming.
7. Decorations.

Action algorithm:

1. We lay out the drainage.
2. We put dry moss on top of it (it is needed to absorb excess moisture).
3. We pour the soil and level it with a spoon.
4. We plant moss.
5. We decorate the florarium to your liking.

Instead of moss or paired with it, you can plant a suitable plant of your choice.

Open florarium in the aquarium

Materials and tools:

1. Drainage.
2. suitable plant.
3. The soil.
4. Activated and charcoal.
5. The spoon.
6. Tweezers.
7. Spray.
8. Decorations.

Action algorithm:

1. Degrease the container.
2. Place drainage.
3. We pour activated carbon (it is needed to prevent mold growth).
4. Lay out the soil.
5. Smooth out the contents with a spoon.
6. Using tweezers, carefully plant the plants.
7. Spray them with a spray bottle.
8. Add selected embellishments.

Succulent plants in a geometric jar

Materials and tools:

1. Vessel-polygon.
2. Soil for succulents.
3. Activated charcoal.
4. Drainage.
5. Succulent plants.
6. Moss-sphagnum.
7. Decorations.

Action algorithm:

1. We lay out the drainage.
2. Add crushed activated charcoal for disinfection.
3. We lay the ground and level it.
4. We plant plants at a distance of 2-3 cm from each other so that they do not begin to rot when they come into contact.

It is better to decorate such a florarium with pebbles - they will look better with succulents.

Materials and tools:

1. Burnt out light bulb.
2. Protective glasses.
3. Pliers.
4. Screwdriver
5. Tweezers.
6. Funnel.
7. Plants (it is better to take chlorophytum or succulents).
8. Sand (if it is disinfected, mold does not form in it, so you can do without coal; there is not enough space in the light bulb).
9. Decorations.

Action algorithm:

1. Remove the base from the lamp with pliers.
2. We take out the rest of the pieces with tweezers.
3. Pour in the sand with a funnel.
4. We plant plants.
5. We lay out moss and decorations around.

You can water such a florarium no more than once a month.

Orchid - rather capricious, but very spectacular plant

As you can see, making a florarium is not so difficult. It takes a little time, effort and imagination to add variety to the environment with its help and master a new hobby.

Recently, it has become very popular to plant succulents and cacti in glass vases - florariums. Now you can easily purchase a variety of geometric containers in online stores, and even florariums with ready-made compositions. There is also a more economical option - to find a suitable glass vessel at home and fill it to your liking and desire. Succulents grow well in florariums, this is due to the protection of the plant from drafts and temperature changes.

Especially for our readers, we have prepared a master class from Alexander Matyukha. Alexander is a teacher of botany and a part-time creator of beautiful florariums. A very laborious process, to make a whole work of art out of glass and alloys! Alexander has his own workshop, where he makes and fills glass vases. He kindly shared with us the secrets of filling florariums at home.

And so, for your own purposes, you can use the purchased vase, or find something suitable at home, in size and shape, and read about what to do next in our article:

— What do we need to fill the florarium?

- To fill the florarium, you will need plants, substrate and drainage. Usually planted succulents or vice versa moisture-loving plants. For the latter, florariums with a lid are more suitable, inside which optimal air humidity will be constantly maintained. It is also worth considering that such plants need a larger capacity than succulents, and the substrate must be sufficiently nutritious.

Florariums of various sizes and volumes are suitable for succulents, as they grow rather slowly and feel great on poor substrates - sand and gravel.

Due to their unpretentiousness, succulents are more popular, therefore, using their example, it is worth talking about planting plants in a florarium.

An extremely important component of the florarium - drainage. It sounds proud for sealed containers, but the problem of stagnant water must be solved. This can be done using various hygroscopic materials, fine expanded clay and hydrogel can be used. It is also necessary to use activated carbon, which is used in filter columns and filters for aquariums. Coal for a long time does not allow the walls of the florarium to "bloom" - to develop algae.

What substrate is suitable?

- As already mentioned, gravel and sand-gravel culture is great for growing succulents. Both sand and gravel can be purchased at the store, or collected by hand on the seashore (especially when it is nearby)

The collected material must be processed, it is best to ignite it in an old unnecessary frying pan or baking sheet in the oven. Purchased materials are easy to rinse.

Purchased materials are dyed and unpainted, quarried or otherwise - for every taste.

What plants are suitable for the florarium?

- Small cacti, haworthias, echeverias, lithops, sedums and crassulas coexist perfectly in glass.

How to properly plant a plant in a glass vase?

- Planting is carried out in several stages:

• First you need to carefully wipe and polish the vase itself using a glass cleaner. If we are talking about a florarium made using the Tiffany technique, then take care of the platinum at the seams, try not to chip or scratch it.

Tip: work in latex gloves, otherwise wiping one side, you will definitely leave marks on the next one.

• Before landing, prepare everything you need: get the plants from technical pots and rinse the roots in warm water, select the substrate in accordance with your plan - everything should be at hand.
• First you need to pour a sand cushion on the bottom (so that coarse gravel and expanded clay do not leave deep scratches on the bottom edge). Lay expanded clay in the center, add hydrogel and activated carbon. Lay out the side edges with gravel. Place the plants in the resulting "bowl" and fill the gaps with gravel.

How can you decorate a florarium?

“Everyone has different tastes, I prefer natural, natural materials in natural colors and shades. Sometimes I am approached by customers who want to decorate a vase in a certain color scheme. Such experiments also turn out to be very interesting.”

You can also use improvised materials for decoration, both natural - mosses, dry twigs, roots, and artificial - plastic figures, glass beads, transparent glass.

- Caring for plants in the florarium is not difficult:

• For succulents, light, infrequent top dressing, and so that water does not stagnate are important. So watering held once every two to three weeks(depending on room temperature) until the sand cushion is wetted.
• Fertilizer for cacti and succulents is sold in flower shops and specialized departments of supermarkets. Be sure to check the expiration date and shake the bottle before use.
• If the plant has grown, and roots are visible on the lower faces, carefully remove it from the florarium and transplant it into a large pot or florarium - everything is here, as with any other indoor plant.

This is the beauty we ended up with!

Good day, dear blog readers!

I think there are many indoor plant lovers among you. But not in every house you can find a mini garden in an aquarium - a florarium. Wondering what it is and how it can be done? I will tell you about it today.

Florarium is a miniature version of the greenhouse, placed in a transparent glass container. The internal content and design of the composition can be varied, depending on your imagination and wishes. To create such beauty, experience is not required; even an amateur in the region can handle it.

The indisputable advantage of florariums is their beauty and originality. Living plants in combination with decorative elements in a glass vase look very unusual and fascinating. The composition will fit into any interior and become its highlight. If you have children, then this idea will certainly attract them. Watching the development of the ecosystem is fascinating at any age.

Materials to create

To realize your idea, you will need not very many materials. Both improvised materials and purchased products will be used. To save money, some of them can be ordered online on Aliexpress. In order not to be distracted in the process, you need to prepare:

After preparing the inventory, you need to select plants for the florarium that are suitable for your composition.

Plant selection

Any plant placed in a square aquarium or other glass container will begin to develop and grow due to the high humidity and temperature. However, the growth of some plants is too fast and soon they fill the entire space. But we don't need it, do we? We want to enjoy a neat view for as long as possible.
To avoid such consequences, it is worth taking a responsible approach to the selection of vegetation. If this is your first experience in creating florariums, succulents will be the best option. They are characterized by slow growth and unpretentiousness.

It is customary to decorate a composition with their participation with pebbles and colored sand, creating an atmosphere of the desert.

Water florarium

To create an aquatic florarium with a tropical climate, you should take a closer look at the small bushes:

• begonia;
• tradescantia;
• chlorophytum;
• phytonia;
• pilea;
• dioneus.

Plants grow quickly, so they will need to be pinched regularly.
The most demanding in terms of care are orchids. But lovers of this flower are not afraid of such problems. For their maintenance, you can equip a wall-mounted florarium with lighting.

Rules for creating a minigarden

Having dealt with the necessary plants and equipment, you can schematically draw how to make a florarium out of an aquarium. You can start with the easiest option, which will require:

1. Any geometric vessel made of transparent glass.
2. Expanded clay for drainage.
3. Soil for succulents.
4. Elements for decor: moss, pebbles of different sizes, sand, figurines.
5. A small fern, a couple of bushes of a fat woman and a small fluffy cactus.

The first mini-garden behind glass with your own hands

The whole process will take you no more than half an hour. The first two weeks after planting, the plants need regular watering, after which it must be reduced. The composition does not need to be fed, because we do not need to accelerate the growth of flowers.

This completes the creation of the first. It must be moved to a lighted area in the apartment and enjoy the beauty. I hope you liked the idea, you hurry to bring it to life and tell your friends on social networks.

On this I say goodbye to you, dear readers. Don't forget to subscribe to the blog and stay tuned for new interesting ideas.

The aquarium is suitable not only for keeping fish. Someone may remember how once, when aquariums on the territory of the USSR were produced with unattractive iron frames, fluffy hamsters were successfully settled in them.

But no, this article is not about that. Today, the industry has taken a huge step forward, decorative containers have become much more beautiful, and therefore you can decorate your own magnificent garden in an aquarium. A stylish composition will look no worse than the underwater landscape and will perfectly decorate the interior.

Why in an aquarium? The main reason is it's beautiful.

Modern aquariums are made of thinner glass, the seams are almost invisible. Round models are especially good in this regard. It’s just that the fish in them are mostly uncomfortable, but the plants are just wonderful. There are no drafts, the microclimate is stable, humidity is maintained without much effort.

In short, a lot of options for creativity.

What plants are suitable for a garden in an aquarium

Any home plants will do, even the most delicate specimens.

Moreover, given the advantages described above, with a little experience, you can even grow "guests" from the subtropics. This is usually done in greenhouses, but the cozy microclimate of the garden in the aquarium suits them.

Of course, it is important to consider the conditions of detention. Some species need abundant watering, others generally prefer drought, and they can die from excess moisture. Lighting requirements are also important.

The fern will calmly survive the distance from the light source, but, for example, decorative leafy plants also need direct sunlight. Therefore, it is worth taking care of a thoughtful neighborhood and only then proceed to create a charming design.

One more thing. Such a garden can be a very creative solution, no need to "simplify" it with too ordinary plants.

Suitable croton, striped echmea, calathea, frisia, arrowroot, uzambara violets, during the flowering period, they will decorate the mini jungle with bright accents.

How to plant - 3 steps

1. The first step is to prepare the ground. Just pouring earth is not an option, a special garden is a special approach. A thin layer of gravel is laid on the bottom (no more than 2 centimeters, this will protect the roots from rotting), on top - a similar layer of charcoal. And only then pour the soil mixture. It is better to take a mixture based on peat, the layer thickness is 5-7 centimeters.

2. You can plant plants. For a beautiful group composition, 5-6 are enough, but differing in color and shape. Too many plantings and the whole effect will be spoiled.

The landscape is formed to your taste, of course, without neglecting the rules of logic: taller plants are best planted in the background, undersized, for example, violets, closer to the front wall.

Be sure to leave a distance between them so that they can grow freely. In small containers, you can dig holes with an ordinary spoon, and loosen the soil with a fork.

3. The only thing left to do is to decorate the landscape. For this, original pebbles, pieces of decorative tiles are suitable, someone likes transparent or multi-colored glass balls.

With their help, groups of plants are separated, forming certain zones. The only thing is that you can not use wooden figures, over time they will simply rot.