Charcoal granules. ⢠Sphagnum Moss or Spanish Moss. Indirect sunlight works best for a terrarium. Direct sunlight will
Monthly Challenge
February Make a terrarium! Introduction:
Many different kinds of plants can grow outside, but as the weather changes in winter not all plants grow year round. That’s why people developed a way to grow plants indoors using a special building called a greenhouse. A greenhouse is typically made out of glass and is able to trap heat and moisture inside the building. This creates a perfect place for plants to grow no matter what kind of weather is happening outside.
Challenge:
Make a mini greenhouse, called a terrarium, right in your own home! Below are the materials you will need as well as easy steps to making your own terrarium.
Materials • • • • • •
Empty jar, unused fish bowl, or large glass container. Some small plants (Ivy is a good choice) Small stones or pebbles Potting soil Spoon Newspaper to laydown on the table
Helpful Tip! Indirect sunlight works best for a terrarium. Direct sunlight will cause temperatures inside your terrarium to rise too quickly.
Steps 1. Lay down newspaper on your workspace. 2. Add in the small stones or pebbles to the bottom of your terrarium container. This will act as your drainage layer to capture excess moisture. 3. If you have charcoal granules you can add them on top of the small stones or pebbles. This will help with odor control. 4. If you have the Sphagnum Moss or Spanish Moss, add this on top of the charcoal granules. 5. Next, add three to four inches of potting soil. 6. Either with your finger or a spoon, dig a small hole in the potting soil for your plant. 7. Gently place your plant into the hole and make sure all the roots are enclosed into the hole. 8. Fill in the soil around the plant, covering the hole, add a little more soil if necessary. Water the soil so it is moist but not wet. 9. Monitor the moisture levels in your terrarium every few days.
Extensions 1. Observe the water cycle! Place a cap on your terrarium or cover your terrarium opening with plastic wrap. Observe your terrarium closely for the next few days and watch how the terrarium creates its own water cycle. As temperatures rise in the terrarium, condensation, or water droplets, begin to form on the side of the bottle or glass. These water droplets will then drip back down to water your plant! Once your terrarium is covered observe your terrarium everyday for changes. What changes do you see happen? Is there fog or condensation? Record these changes you see over the next few days on your sequential order sheet. 2. See how much your plant grows! Get out your special measuring tool, your ruler, and find out the measurements of your plant. Use the chart sheet to track the growth of your plant by measuring your plant every few days. What’s the largest increment your plant grew? Is there a point in time where your plant stopped growing?
Record how much your plant grows. Color in the height of your plant.
