I have an aquarium that I am ready to get rid of or change the use for. Since it has that wonderful light in the hood, I am wondering about turning it into an AV forest. Anyone have any ideas about whether or not that will work? I was thinking I could elevate plants on glass "pedestals". Could I put dirt in the aquarium and plant some on the "floor"? Would it be better to have them in pots, and maybe just disquise them with moss or dirt? How hard would it be to maintain? It's a pretty good-sized aquarium, probably 30 to 40 gallons. Would I need to cover the holes in the hood that allow the filters, heater, air hoses?
I'd appreciate any information from someone who has done this sort of project. I had a terrarium years ago made from one of those big water bottles that go in water coolers, but just planted ivy and miniature plants.
Aquarium/terrarium??
It definitely works - you can eithe direct plant or put pots in there. Initially you might want to keep the plants in the pots to see how they do and think about how to landscape it (if you decide to direct-plant).
But here I am talking like I've done it. I've just been reading about it a lot and looking at other people's setups.... Planning on setting one up myself for orchids and gessies.... okay, maybe a tillandsia or two, and a mini hoya and................
Key--You are going to need a really BIG aquarium. LOL. I was thinking that it would be so pretty all landscaped and with them at different levels. I can see it in my head, but didn't know if it is a viable possibility.
I'm getting ready to repaint my living room and thought I could put it in a dark corner and brighten that space up considerably. It has a big heavy wood stand and I could put something pretty underneath. Right now I have a basket full of silk ivy under there. Maybe I could suspend a light under there and add more plants, right Keyring?
Diane
Hey Diane, sounds like a great idea! How about a sweet little exotic miniature begonia in there too! (can you all see where my head is today! Begonia land!!)
yup :-) anything is possible with lights. I get almost no natural light in this apartment so I grow pretty much everything under lights. I don't have a real heavy duty setup though, so I have to pass on those full Arizona sun plants.
b
I think the part about a terrarium that takes the most time is the planning - landscaping and picking the plants. Deciding on the substrate and whether or not you want a water feature..... That's why it might help to start by putting the plants in there with their pots intact.
Yes, I'll need a big terrarium, but I'm thinking I might be able to get one of the tall ones - I have a lot of miniature orchids growing on mounts (bits of wood and treefern) and I could just make a wall of them....... I actually have a spot in my office measured out, but I haven't had the time to go looking for a terrarium/aquariium.
lol. I did indeed stick a little begonia in one of my terrs. I got this one from MsC.
Giving you the "Woo Woo Woo" from Julia Roberts in "Pretty Woman" (the movie, scene where they are at the polo match!!)
That one is a cutie pie too. Name please?
It's Peridot. Sounds like I should start a little clump for you.
It's darling and so bright. I would never have thought of it. Are its requirements the same as the AVs? How does it propagate?
Peridot Keyring is so pretty !
Laurie are you in Florida now ! How are you doing > What will you do today ? I hope the weather is hot and Sunny for you :))
Allison...i'll bet she's here enjoying the weather and excitement...hope so...ENJOY..Laurie...be about 80....and nice....a bit cooler on weekend...Key and all...often one can find a toss away aquarium at Goodwill..that kind of thing...sounds fun and looks good...
Don't African violet plants need good circulation and not be touching each other ? Would it not be best to have miniature gessies in an aquarium setting ?
African violets can get large and does not seem like the proper setting ?
Thanks so much for reminding me of that. I will work on some other plants. I don't know what gessies are, so will be researching.
Keyring might know of some good ones to grow in an
aquarium and Nanna had some idea.
Just would not be good for all large plants. We do have a Sticky for Gessies second one from top thread. Not sure if the African violet Sticky and or Gessie one has some info on aquarium growing ?
something like these little begonias might be good too. these babies hopped into my cart today.
They'll go in my big jar when I get home.
Left = b. Little Joe
Middle back = Begonia Glasglow
Right = Rhinestone Jeans
(not trying to push begonias in your terrarium, but we all know what my adjenda is LOL)
Not to be rude, but I think you forgot the picture. LOL. I'm so glad I am not the only one who does that sort of thing.
I looked through that thread above earlier today but did not have time to do all that reading. I have some gloxinia seeds I've not started yet and I was happy to find that they are in that set of plants.
Allison sent me a bunch of ideas, so tomorrow I will do that research too.
I wouldn't put standard AV's in, but what about the mini's or mini-trailers?
I agree with Allison about the Standard AV's, but what about the mini's or mini-trailers?
Edited to say: oops..that was weird and here I thought I forgot to hit send?
This message was edited Mar 2, 2006 10:00 PM
sorry gang, i had trouble with Daves earlier, double posts etc.
here's the photo.
edited to say, those are 2" clay pots - for siize reference.
This message was edited Mar 2, 2006 9:10 PM
how sweet Laurie!! I saw a beauty on one of the other threads - dang, I wished I had dmailed you the link. The foliage was incredible.
Oh my gosh!! Are those gesneriads? It seems that is going to be my plant of choice for the new terrarium. I still have a bunch of research to do.
I'd love to try some of the minis or trailers.
The fish leave on Saturday and then I can clean it out and go plant shopping!!!! Just what I need is more plants to buy. Egad.
nooo....t hose are begonias, not gesneriads! But they are great and you should have them in your terr... lol. A new addiction, there you go...
Oh, thanks. I really need another addiction, you know!! I've lost track of all the addictions I already have!!
I've just shown my ignorance of this whole thing, haven't I? I thought I could put regular sized AVs in there, so now I have to rethink the whole thing. Everyone has been so helpful with ideas and keeping me from killing any AVs.
Is it hard to find mini/micro AVs or other plants that would work in that environment? I have to come up with a landscape plan, but have to know about the plants first.
Keyring--Would the tamiana work in this plan?
the tamianas would probably work, although they certainly don't need the extra humidity.
I'll have seeds of micro mini sinningias available soon-ish, and rhizomes of phinaea - both are great in terrariums. lots of people here should have leaves of mini AVs.... The trailers especially should work quite well.
Found the thread.. Hey ya go Laurie.. http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/577840/#new go down to March 2nd posts.
I will, but you will have to wait until warmer weather...
Oh that one is a beauty Anita, it's "looking Glass" and I have it! mine is one of my oldest begonias.
I've had it for like 6 years. It's so neglected at times, in a huge pot, and it tends to get powdery mildew, but it's looking good now.
Thanks for the 'drug fix' LOL!
;-)
That is a gorgeous plant!! Do you do cuttings?
(Hint, hint)
I may have a few rooted cuttings, they had PM (of course!) but I'll check when I get home from the begonia convention.
Hi Laurie !! Are you havlng fun ~!!!
of course! they had a pajama party tonight. what a hoot!
I'll probaly spend half my time over your way packing up begonias! he he he.
tomorrows another busy day! two lectures and a luncheon, then the banquet dinner and ice cream social..
sunday is fairchild with Lorry (hey where are you Lorry? haven't seen you post much these last few days)
then sunday afternoon I'll drive your way
Hubby got two more large rolls of Priority tape
took some updated pics of the small wardian case (8" square) I have under lights.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ki/sets/72057594048144736/
I'll post one of the photos here too.
I have another small terr at the office. Pics of that one here. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ki/sets/72057594048147552/
Some of the photos are labeled with plant IDs (look for photos with "notes" and move your mouse over the pic).
Key, I picked up a sweetheart of a begonia - not sure if it's the same as yours, called 'Silver Peridot' (looks somewhat like dewdrop's colors, but much nicer habit)
Wish I had time to visit your photos (I could spend hours on your photos, drooling away) but I'm just quickly checking emial (and Daves of course) before I run out again!
note to self: Make self a note to visit Key's photos! LOL
Oh Keyring their beautiful :)) I really enjoy looking at your beautiful plants and want to visit them foten. Thanks for sharing them :))
Bumping up fount information lost it will find again lol
Fount it :))
Planting a Terrarium
http://www.rosebudm.com/lavg/lavg_planting_a_terrarium.htm
excellent! Thanks Allison!
I adore this idea! Me thinks I am going to have to track down an aquarium :)