Do I have to have a barrier between the gravel/charcoal layer and the soil in my new terrarium? Can I use landscape fabric?
Thanks,
Lana
Terrarium question
hi, I am no expert, but, from what I have read you need something to keep the soil from leaking down into the gravel...I use sphagnum....would be interesting to see if the landscape fabric would work...definitely less expensive than sphagnum....somebody will come along with more experience I hope and clear this up for us.
Great Idea ... I think landscape material as a barrier would be perfect ... lets the water drain through, but would keep the soil from washing through! When I set up my next terrarium, I plan on doing it this way!
Thanks for this Great Idea, Lana!
I've used plain old window screen material so far. haven't had any problems. About half have it, the other half don't. Those that don't seem to be fine. I'll post a few photos in a minute
Great idea Begoniacrazii ... window screen ... the tightly woven kind would be perfect for a barrier!
By the way .... HAPPY BIRTHDAY Begoinacrazii .... hope you have had a wonderful day!
Muchas Gracias Lin!!! I did indeed enjoy my day - so far! Played in my petrocosmeas this morning! http://flickr.com/photos/begonias-photos/sets/72157594558840137/
anyhoo, here's a small terrarium with B. prismatocarpa variegata - the container is from Tap Plastic store and the layers are decorative aquarium gravel, a bit of soil (about 60/40 AV soil and perlite) and the top is cut sphag - no screen on this one. (this terrarium is 7 inches tall x 4" wide)
here's a closer view of the strata.
this jar has the window screen (left over from a summer project but I don't recall that it was very expensive)
(begonia in front is B. 'Buttercup'
I think landscape fabric will work perfectly well too.
the jar on the left has screening but the one on the right does not, BUT there's none of the gravel either in the right. Just a handful of AV/perlite mix with cut sphag on top (that plant is pearcea hypcyrtiflora, a gesneriad)
jars are from Walmart and the thrift store.
You have just given us the birthday wish, begoniacrazii.....love your terrariums, thank you for sharing and a great big Happy Birthday to you!!!
Thanks so much Bettygail! I just realized how big that begonia has gotten in the big cookie jar. Here it is in August. About half it's size!
http://davesgarden.com/forums/fp.php?pid=2665573
Thanks everyone for the advice and pics which give me different ideas about how it can be done. I think I will use either landscape fabric or screen(I think there's a roll around here somewhere)in the large terrarium and go without in the jars. It will be easier to do a comlete change in the small jars so won't worry about the soil getting in the gravel. I think I will go to the pet store and look at different decorative gravels to see if there's something I really like for the jars. I could even do a diff color in each :~) begoniacrazii, I love the cut sphag in the jars. It's like mulch for your terrarium. I think I have a bag of sphag around here too in my craft supplies :~D
Lana