Making terrariums the MoneySaving way

MSE_Laura_F

Brilliant tips, thank you @twopenny🌿

Eldi_Dos

A common source of container is demijohns that had been used for home wine making.

Whatever plug you are using to seal container if you can fit tyre valve (Schrader valve) to it it makes it easier to adjust moisture levels till right balance is struck.

Wonder if bottles that sit on top of water coolers could be recycled for this.

theoretica

twopenny said:

I saw some pretty succulents in a charity shop yesterday and thought of you Laura. They've done ferns and all sorts but it's not regular.

Succulents are very tempting as they can be small and interesting colours, but they don't like damp and enclosed - much better to do succulents into open bowls.   Though I guess it depends on if you want to plant something up that will live for a long time, or the joy of repeatedly planting things!

thriftwizard

Interested as we have a big ex-terrarium jar kicking about in the garden just now - I think it was a hand-me-down from my brother some years ago & I've never got round to doing anything about it, though I've always wanted one! Soil/compost has been my main query, also which plants are likely to stay small enough long-term so as not to attempt to take the whole thing over. We had one many years ago, before kids (now mostly in their 30s!) in which all my carefully-chosen plantlets got obliterated by a weed which must have been in the compost I'd used. So I'd like to get it right this time.

Farway

The compost needs to be sterile before you start, this kills weeds as well as nasty spores etc.

Depending on how much you have, bung in the oven for a low bake will sterilise it