Terrarium Projects Part I: Soda Bottle Terrariums

Top 2. Feb 22, 2002 5:51 AM

» Cottage_Garden - Re: soda pop terrariums

In response to message posted by cardmomma:

I couldn't help but notice this -- since I have just written about terrariums in "Set it and Forget It" -- and had suggested making soda bottle terrariums with kids in a discussion thread somewhere.... I have used plastic containers of different shapes as long as they could be cut. A big plastic soda bottle that is clear all over works fine. Something like a big plastic peanut butter jar or a big plastic cheese curls container from the big sizes store, whatever, will also work. If it has a screw on lid and the opening is large enough to reach through then you would not need to cut it, just use the lid it already has.

If you need to cut, leave a bottom deep enough for the soil in proportion to your plants, then cut the top off so you can reach the soil and plants. Use tape to make a hinge or two to hold the top on, this makes it easy to open to air it or water it as needed. Another option is to just cut it off up near the top and use plastic wrap for the cover. That can be held in place easily enough with a rubber band.

One thing to keep in mind in selecting the containers is that the inside surfaces needs to be kept as clean as possible or they will get algae or mold on them eventually. This is one reason why the soda bottles work so well. Cutting the bottle off low means the walls or sides are out of the way and can be kept clean until they are set in place at the end of the project. Imagine how reaching down through a top opening as on a peanut butter jar just opens the way to spilling dirt all over the inside sides of the jar -- what a nightmare and no fun for the kids if you have to say "Be careful!" all the time.

Once it is balanced, tape the joint shut all the way around if it needs it. If the cutting was tidy and the container is in an out of the way spot, you may not need to seal it up tight, it may just sit and stay aligned/closed enough with just a couple of taped hinges.

With kids, English ivy and philodendron (you can use fresh tip cuttings and root them in the terrarium or tiny started plants are inexpensive or a gardener might be willing to just "make" you some if you ask several months in advance), some pretty pebbles for decoration, a little glitter for "fairy dust", a sticker to write their name on and voila. Magic!

Have fun!

-- posted by Cottage_Garden

Top 3. Oct 23, 2002 8:21 AM

» necco - Alternative plastic bottle

If you use the bottom from a two liter Coke product and the bottom of a two liter Pepsi product they fit together perfectly.

-- posted by necco

Top 4. Apr 25, 2004 12:41 AM

» PLANTNUT - Terrariums

At my second son's birthday party the guests were a variety of ages from 16 months to 11 years old. What I did was to gather a number of water bottles that my 16 year old son kindly tossed in the bin with the tops on. I bought a cheap bag of potting soil, colorful gravel and two packs of flower plant seeds. I pre-grew a terrarium to show the kids how similar theirs might look. This not only made for a nice take home gift for each child as another memento to my one year old's craft party, it also taught them another way of helping our recycling laws.

-- posted by PLANTNUT