| The Container of a terrarium doesn't have to be a glass jug. It can be any one of a thousand creative ideas. Using a unique container will transform your average terrarium into something unique and a conversation piece for friends to look at and enjoy. Here are some ideas for creative containers you can use.
There are two basic types of terrariums and knowing these types will help you choose a container. The first type is an open type. It can be considered to be very similar to a potted plant. The difference is that you have more than one plant in it. This variety of plants makes it a small eco-system.
Open Air Terrariums
Making this type of terrarium gives you a lot of options and just about anything that will hold soil can be used for this type. Some very suitable containers include lawn ornaments, ceramic statues, ceramic bowls, coffee mugs, wine bottles and fish bowls. You can take just about any three dimensional object and either hollow it out so it has a reservoir for soil and plants or you can drill large holes in it to hold the soil.
But I recommend you take this creative terrarium making to another level and tie it into something that interests you as a hobby. I really love astronomy and telescopes so I took an old brass telescope and cut a large slot along the top of it. I put soil in it and planted flowers. I mounted it on a small tripod and now I have a very unique terrarium that also says something about me. If you have a hobby or a craft that you like to do you should look at the materials and common items that are used in the hobby and see if you can turn some of them into a terrarium.
Enclosed terrariums
This type is the most challenging but can also be the most dramatic because you are enclosing all the materials in an airtight container. The most commonly seen terrarium of this type is in a gallon jug or two liter plastic bottle.
When selecting a container for this type the most important thing you need to watch out for is that you should use something that is totally clear. Either transparent glass or plastic will work well. But something that is tinted a color like green or brown will not work well. The color will block sunlight from the plants and make it difficult for you to see inside.
Some Creative Ideas for closed terrariums
Just about any transparent container can be used as a closed terrarium and I have used gallon jugs very successfully. One of my favorites is one that I made using a Tabasco bottle. It's very tiny but it was a lot of fun to make and is a lot of fun to look at. Other suitable containers include uniquely shaped food and drink bottles, spice bottles, cookie jars and wine bottles. If you are ambitious and you want a real challenge you could use a five gallon water jug – the kind that goes on top of an office style water cooler. These make wonderful terrariums because of their size but can be a real challenge because you have to do everything through a small opening at the top.
Once you start thinking about terrarium containers you are going to see great ones all over the house, at yard sales, and in stores. All of a sudden things you never considered will become great opportunities for a terrarium that is unique and beautiful.
For more interesting terrarium projects and ideas visit the authors website at:Terrarium Man
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