Terrariums - mini greenhouse

I am totally smitten with the arrangement of terrariums. I visited H J Benken here in Cincinnati and was very impressed to see the plants and succulents being grown indoors. I came back home with a fern and a pink polka dot plant (Hypoestes). I remember purchasing Hanging Succulent Terrarium Kit in California about 3 years ago in a farmer's market. I used to spray water once a week and after 6 months all the residents inside it died. I even tossed the air plant thinking it was a weed!!! I had this unused terrarium laying back on my bird feeder pole for few months now. I cleaned up and stuffed few pebbles (available at Joann/Pier 1 imports for $5 for a half pound bag) inside for water to drain. Many on the net suggested adding potting mix (Miracle Gro Moisture Control - available in most of the nurseries) with activated charcoal but I skipped charcoal. Later found out that the charcoal is needed only for the terrariums with lids. I spray filtered water once in 3-4 days. You could jazz it up with cute little figurines. I found many at Joann stores.

Terrariums are very easy to grow and care. These don't need too much attention. Anyone who has no time to care for plants indoors or out can easily maintain a terrariums.

Well, now the terrarium is hanging up on my kitchen skin!! Having done one, I was eager to assemble more so I used up my empty aquarium/fish bowls which were laying in basement.

I was keen on mixing succulents with greens but the staff suggested that water/light requirement are different for succulents and greens. So I got 5 more plants comprising Selaginella Kraussiana (golden spikemoss), Fittonia or Nerve Plant, Begonia, Polka Dot Plant and Spider Plant or Airplane Plant.

Spider Plant, Polka Dot and Begonia

Golden Spikemoss and Fittonia

  

Frugal ways to Water Indoor Plants While on Vacation

Christmas vacations are always awaited as we usually are out of town for holidays every single time. Holidaying was a bittersweet moment as I was not sure how my indoor plants would do without anyone watering them for 12 long days. I started searching for the frugal ways to water my plants.
I had used quart size zip lock baggies back last year!!! That worked perfect!!

Here the link on how to do.....
http://www.instructables.com/id/A-Cheap-Easy-Leak-Safe-Way-to-Water-Plants-While-O/

During our move, I tossed it somewhere and due to lack of time I had to find another way out. I used Styrofoam cup and gently pierced a very small hole at side near bottom(1/2 inch from bottom) and watched the speed at which the water dripped. I kept it for couple of days to ensure that it did not drain quickly. When this trick worked, I had more cups placed on my pots and they were good to go. No doubt, the thought that my plants would die kept haunting during vacation. I was surprised to see all of them alive except my Sweet Marjoram which kind of died(slowly reviving). The plants which had these cups were just fine, the juice bottle technique quite did not work on my Sweet Marjoram.

I used below technique using juice bottle.....
http://aptgarden.blogspot.com/2008/01/homemade-container-watering-system-no.html

Curry Leaf Plant

Sweet Marjoram 

If you have any other frugal technique to water plants please share. Hm....not sure how this technique would fair in summer time!!

Home Composting - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

The idea of home composting all began because of the kitchen waste that was going to trash. My husband eats only fruits for his morning breakfast and the peels have a new home now along with my veggie scraps!! Occasionally egg shells also are the residents in my compost bin. I wasn't sure of the success rate so started really low key. Got a simple trash bin from Lowe's(Blue Hawk 32-Gallon Blue Outdoor Garbage Can) for around $13 and drilled holes using my wood burning pen. I drilled many holes about 3 inches apart all along the length and width of the bin. Also few more holes on the lid and bottom of the bin for the water to drain. I mounted it on a concrete blocks in one corner of my yard.

Blue Bin Compost

I started setting up in late September last year. I filled it up with some of my 'fall' leaves to start with and ensured that I need to keep the green(kitchen scraps) vs brown(raked leaves, newspaper clippings, cardboard clippings) ratio as 1:3. Every-time I loaded the bin with greens, I would pick leaves and dump them inside. I started noticing small larvae and was not sure what was happening. We also made a leaf compost pile as my Blue bin would not fit all the raked up leaves during fall. Got some chicken wire and made a rectangle of 6 *4 ft and placed a huge cardboard as base. This is supposed to keep the leaves off the ground in winter. In no time this started to fill up. 

Leaf compost set-up

This is how it looks now.....

Leaf compost

Although I must say that I haven't seen any progress so far in this pile yet. Hopefully it will spring up to action in the 'Spring'!! My Blue bin was filling up and I had to do something about this as I have still couple of months to go before spring arrives. I have a raised bed in my yard and thought of trench composting and moved my semi-finished compost into the bed. 

Raised Bed 

Trench dug up

Trench filled up with compost

Semi-finished compost

 I found something in this semi-finished compost that I rejoiced!! Many larvae of Black Soldier fly!!! This will enhance the composting process for sure.

Black Soldier Fly larva

Come spring the soil in the raised bed will be rich in nutrients. Meat products, Dairy products, cooked or left overs don't get into compost bin.