Terrariums Serrariums....

Ok... It is obvious that terrariums have become a big part of my life. You could pretty much say that moss has actually put food on my table and paid part of my rent. I think of it as gods gift and a little reminder that life is good no matter how bad it may seem at times.

I remember being a little girl at my grandmas house admiring a large glass pig with a cork snout that inside held a miniature forest of ferns, moss, rocks and dew. It was magnificent and breathtaking. It was my first time experiencing a terrarium. My grandma lived in a small suburb in Illinois where buildings and streets were your playground. She had told me that when my uncle was little he had collected the specimens and put them in the glass pig before they tore down the last bit of real forest in that area. That area became another suburb.

Everyone wanted that glass pig... it was something special that stayed living for years. The idea that the place where my uncle collected the plants didn't exist anymore made it that much more rare. He had captured under glass a moment in time that can never be again. It's kind of sad really.

I have always collected specimens... mostly things that are dry and preserved. I began collecting moss about a year ago and since then have learned sooo much about how it grows and what keeps it alive. So basically I thought I would share with you a few tips and tricks I have learned along the way to help you take care of your terrarium or create one yourself.

MY TOP 5 TIPS AND TRICKS FOR CARING FOR OR CREATING YOUR TERRARIUM

1. A terrarium needs 3 things to survive....
Charcoal, gravel, and moisture.

2. If collecting moss outside remember to soak or wash with plain water before putting it under glass... This helps prevent bugs from hatching and mold or spores from growing.

3. Mold is a natural occuring issue that is resolved one of several ways...

1. moving the moss around (with a stick)... it may have become stagnate
2. Too much moisture... ( refresh terrarium by letting it air out for 20 mins and adding fresh water)
3. bad moss... Sometimes the moss is just not a good batch. Remove and replace.

4. Misting is the best most natural way to water your terrarium. 

5. If your terrarium is under glass... you only need to water once unless you notice it is too dry.

So there you have it... I know it's not the most thrilling post in the world but too me it is part of my life. My terrariums are one of the best sellers in my shop and my studios bathroom is basically a greenhouse for moss.  

I hope you enjoyed... and let me know if you have any questions!