Today it is fashionable to create decorative elements with your own hands. One of the decorations of the room, which is easy to do with your own hands, is the ecosystem in the bank - the florarium, which will not only add a twist to the interior, but will also become a bright visual aid about plant life for children and adults.
What is a florarium?
This is a closed ecosystem created in artificial conditions (in a jar, aquarium, bottle or other transparent glass container). Hand-made florarium does not require any special care or outside intervention to ensure its full functioning. The ecosystem in the bank is often used as an original decoration for a house or apartment.
Many people think that special skills are needed to create a florarium. In fact, you need only imagination and creativity. Making an ecosystem in a bank that resembles a piece of a garden, desert, rainforest or underwater world is quite simple and inexpensive. On sale you can find ready-made florariums that look like works of art. Many people cannot afford their price. In this article, we will consider ways to make a closed ecosystem in a bank with your own hands, so that the object is in no way inferior to ready-made commercial analogues.
What is the difference from a plant terrarium?
Both the florarium and the plant terrarium are one and the same. They are aquatic and somewhat reminiscent of ordinary aquariums in which fish live, and anhydrous. The first closed ecosystem in the bank was created by the English scientist Nathaniel Ward. He conducted his experiments about three hundred years ago. Then he placed in an enclosed space exotic plants that did not grow in the locality of Ward. By limiting the scope, he provided more favorable conditions for the growth of representatives of the tropical flora.
Thanks to the ecosystem in the bank and Ward's research work, it became possible to transport southern plants that are not used to the cold climate to different parts of the planet. They are grown in specially equipped conservatories, greenhouses, greenhouse pavilions.
In those days, not everyone could equip a personal greenhouse, so mini-gardens - florariums became widespread. Today they grow small or dwarf house plants, which are convenient to care for.
What capacities do you usually use
A closed ecosystem in a bank assumes proper arrangement of the microclimate inside it. To make a plant terrarium from living plants in a limited space, it is necessary to pay attention to studying the structure of the ecosystem and choosing the right capacity.
The form of florarium is usually chosen based on the characteristics of the interior of the room. Today, aquarium-type ecosystems are very popular, where plant compositions are created in ordinary aquariums. Such containers are considered the most convenient for the formation of the internal ecosystem due to the presence of a removable cover and the ability to install lighting.
In the absence of an aquarium, you can use a glass jar. Ecosystems are placed in vases, various glasses, spheres, containers of the original configuration. Surprisingly transparent containers are sold on the Internet without the need to buy expensive items. Some even use beautiful glass bottles (for example, from collectible wine drinks). Such a creation looks impressive, but at the same time it is very difficult to make such an ecosystem and look after it through a narrow neck.
Florists who are engaged in the creation of ecosystems in a closed vessel, recommend choosing a container not by size or design, but by practicality and convenience in future operation. In a classic square aquarium or a half-liter jar, you can create a real masterpiece. Florariums located in unusual places look spectacular. They can be mounted on the wall, put on the floor, decorate the windowsill, hang from the ceiling.
You can improvise with the internal content of the florarium. It can be completely different, while for co-cultivation it is desirable to make a choice in favor of plants that need the same conditions. Thus, in the walls of a city apartment, you can create miniature fragments of these natural zones, from the mountain landscape and desert floristry to a piece of tropical dense forests.
Plant Terrarium in a Bank: Home Wall Scientific Research
A closed ecosystem in a bank, capable of supporting its own vital functions on its own, is an excellent object to study. Many schoolchildren and students who are interested in biology have the opportunity to observe the course of the natural laws of nature, to study the various processes of interaction of flora representatives. For conducting experiments from a test tube, a closed ecosystem is formed, as a rule, in a spacious aquarium in order to have constant access to various organisms and maintain a balance between them. To create a florarium at home, you will have to be patient. You don’t have to wait for a quick result right away, because a self-sustaining ecosystem is a complex organism that lives by its own laws and rules.
Plant Water Terrarium: Tank Size and Lighting
To create an aquatic ecosystem, first of all, it is necessary to take a responsible approach to the choice of capacity. The size of the florarium is of great importance. Beginners should start with small ecosystems. A 3 liter can is ideal. However, if such a capacity seems too small or not beautiful enough, you can take an aquarium. In a small aquarium, jar or bottle, the easiest way is to create basic conditions. At the same time, there is not enough space in such tanks that will come back with a lot of difficulties in leaving and maintaining the ecosystem.
The smaller the glass tank used, the harder it will be to maintain a comfortable living environment. In large vessels, it is much easier to contain a variety of organisms. In addition, they have the opportunity to grow. The walls of the tank must let light through, so cleanliness of the aquarium is a priority. Maintaining regular cleanliness in a large aquarium will take longer.
A terrarium in a bank with a closed ecosystem is the most budgetary option, while acquiring an aquarium with a volume of more than 20 liters will require significant financial investments. In addition, a large tank requires more free space in the room. It cannot be fixed on the wall or suspended from the ceiling.
When choosing a capacity for an ecosystem, you must always remember the need to provide it with a source of fluorescent lighting. Such light is needed for the full growth of plants and maintenance of their vital functions. For a freshwater aquarium, it is recommended to install lamps with a power of 2 to 5 watts for every 4 liters of water. Incandescent lamps are not used for florarium.
Soil and water
Having decided on a reservoir for a closed ecosystem, you should take care of quality soil. At the bottom of the aquarium, a foundation is laid in which the plants can stay and take root. Mineral rich soil will provide a normal environment for growth and metabolism of nutrients.
When using a small aquarium or a small can, you need to lay a layer of sand up to 2.5 cm thick on the bottom, and distribute small pebbles of gravel on top. If a larger vessel is used as a container for the florarium, the sand is laid in a layer of 4 cm, and the layer of gravel should be at least 2 cm. You can buy these materials at any pet store or pick up from the nearest pond.
After the soil is ready, the vessel is filled with water. You can use both bottled water and tap water, but then you will have to take care of its dechlorination. Water is the primary source of food not only for fish, crayfish, turtles and other living inhabitants of the aquarium, but also for algae and various bacteria. You can also draw water from a pond into a jar - it will help create a more natural habitat for plants. If bottled (distilled) liquid is used, plant growth will be slower.
Plants - the next link in the ecosystem
After that, you can start planting plants. Algae are usually chosen for the aquatic ecosystem. It should be borne in mind that these plants grow very quickly and need periodic pruning. You need to choose plants based on what kind of closed ecosystem you plan to do with your own hands. If it is a plant florarium, algae need not be edible. If you plan to create an autonomous ecosystem in a bank that looks like a miniature aquarium, you should look for species that are edible for mollusks and fish. You also need to consider that some varieties are located on the surface, while others are located on the bottom. To create a diverse habitat in a large tank (at least 3 l), it is recommended to use the following plant species:
- algae that grow at the bottom (calamus, green rotala, vallisneria);
- superficial duckweed, water lilies;
- aquarium moss, which is attached to the branches of other representatives of the flora.
Sharing fish
If it is planned to include all the main links in a closed aquatic ecosystem, you cannot do without fish and shellfish. But before placing representatives of the freshwater fauna here, it is important to make sure that all plants are rooted, take root and grow actively. In addition, you should definitely work on creating a microbial flora. Bacteria are the next element in the food chain of an autonomous aquatic ecosystem. Before you fish the fish, you need to place small crustaceans and various microorganisms in the aquarium, including prudoviks, daphnia, microplanaria. Some of them are food for fish that do not eat algae and other plants. To this end, it is recommended to add brewed water or water from the aquarium to the pet store.
Most of these small microorganisms remain invisible in water. Usually enough 10-14 days for the reproduction of small living creatures to such an amount that will be enough to place fish and shrimp in the aquarium. First, guppies and shrimp are added to the jar with the ecosystem. Just dozens of do not need to be released at once: it is advisable to repeat the procedure several times during the day, planting 1-2 individuals at a time in the aquarium. These fish multiply rapidly, and eventually become food for larger fish.
Many species of fish in a small jar is not a good idea. If you want to populate the aquarium with various animals for the sake of balancing the ecosystem, you will have to be patient and have a large tank. It will take time to create species diversity: you need to make sure that each species individually takes root, so different fish are taken in turn.
Aquarium Care Rules
Regardless of how complete the ecosystem chain is, you need to periodically change the water in the bank. Only in clean water will the inhabitants of the aquarium be able to live and reproduce for a long time. The container must be looked after at least once every two weeks. Every 10-14 days, it is recommended to change a fifth of the aquarium water. When using tap water, you must first let it settle in a sealed container. One day is enough for chlorine to leave the water.
In no case can tap water containing heavy metals be added to the aquatic ecosystem. It is better to pass it through a special filter, otherwise all living organisms may die.
It is also important to control the growth and reproduction of algae. To do this, use a special, so-called aquarium vacuum cleaner. During the water change, it is necessary to vacuum the gravel pad to remove unnecessary sprouts, food debris and feces.
A special filter cloth is sold to clean the walls of the glass vessel. You can also use a magnetic scraper, which eliminates algae from the glass. By the way, daphnia and mollusks feed on small algae, so it is advisable to launch these microorganisms into the aquarium, which will control the growth of plants.
It is also important to timely remove dead fish. It is necessary to count individuals at least once a week. Small animals quickly decompose in water, which leads to an increase in the level of ammonia and nitrates in the water. Noticing that one of the fish died, you need to get it out of the tank. Periodically, water should be examined for harmful substances and an assessment of the pH level. This can be done using special kits for monitoring the quality of aquarium water, which are sold in any pet store. If the concentration of chemical elements exceeds the norm, water must be changed immediately.
How to make an ecosystem in a bank without water
To create a florarium, you need to find a lockable glass jar. Both a bottle and a small aquarium with a lid will do. The vessel should have a spacious neck so that you can easily get to the plants. It is necessary to make a closed terrarium. The ecosystem will need to be tightly closed, not letting in air, but providing unhindered penetration of daylight.
Before spreading the soil to the bottom, the jar must be thoroughly washed. The first layer should be laid out pebbles - it will retain dampness and provide air exchange to the root system. Depending on the size of the tank, the bottom is covered with 2-3 cm of small sea pebbles. You can use large-caliber, decorative pebbles, which will serve as an excellent decoration. Any variety will do.
The next layer is activated carbon. It is used as a natural filter for water purification. Thanks to activated carbon, it is possible to ensure the cleanliness of the ecosystem and prevent the excessive growth of microorganisms. This substance is sold in any pharmacy or pet store, it is very cheap. For the florarium, it is necessary to cover the surface of the pebbles with activated carbon.
After the charcoal filter, a layer of peat moss is laid out with a thickness of not more than one and a half centimeter. Peat moss is a kind of nutritional pillow for the entire ecosystem, which contains a lot of nutrients and valuable for plants substances. Moss retains moisture in the soil and ensures stable plant growth. Moss is sold in greenhouses, conservatories, plant nurseries or specialized pet stores. Top moss sprinkled with soil for indoor plants. The surface of the soil is covered with earth for potted flower crops. There should be enough soil in the bank so that plants can take root, gain a foothold in it and receive nutrients from the lower layers of the soil.
In principle, to create a closed ecosystem in the bank with your own hands, you can use any type of soil. Moreover, the thicker it is, the better. Care should be taken to select land for succulents and cacti - such plants need special soil.
Planting plants
First you should plant small plants. All experienced florists recommend starting with small species. Before planting, the roots of the plant must be thoroughly shaken off the old earth. If the rhizomes are too long, they should be trimmed. The sprout itself is placed in a recess, a small hole in the soil, then the roots are sprinkled with earth and lightly pressed down.
All other plant species are transplanted in the same way. It is important to ensure that all of them are not located close to the walls of the glass vessel. To create a home closed ecosystem, mosses and ferns are excellent, as well as indoor species such as pylaea, begonias, Japanese aucuba, aquamarine, fittonia, etc.
Plant terrarium is best left under the influence of indirect sunlight. After planting, cover the plants and place in a safe place. If you determine the place for the florarium in direct sunlight, the soil will quickly dry out, but you should not put a jar in the shade. An ideal place for a container is on a table, not far from a window.
How to care for a plant terrarium
Recommendations for the care of the florarium are completely uncomplicated. Watering plants is necessary when it is really necessary. If you keep the ecosystem under a lid, you don’t have to take care of it often.Once the soil appears dry, you can add a little water. If, on the contrary, there is too much moisture collected in the soil, it is advisable to leave the container open for a couple of days so that the excess water evaporates and the soil slightly dries.
When detecting insects, there is no doubt - they must be removed. Parasites lay eggs in the ground or on plants. Squirrels, ants, worms must be removed manually, and then cover the jar with a lid again.
When the plants begin to reach sizes exceeding the glass capacity, they can be slightly shortened. Plants that receive enough light and water can grow very quickly. Many people deliberately remove the can from the light so that the plants grow more slowly, but this is wrong. It is sometimes better to cut branches so that they are not cramped in the bank than to deprive the lighting.
Dead plants need to be removed, clean the tank from algae and mold. In order to conveniently monitor the state of the ecosystem, it is necessary to periodically clean the glass walls with cotton or a special cloth, which can be used to wipe the vessel without streaks.
Reviews
Most users who comply with all the rules for growing ecosystems are satisfied with the result. People note that at first there were no problems with herbal compositions. At first they look fresh, healthy, but after a while the plants begin to hurt. The reason for this lies in improper care.
For a closed ecosystem, sunlight plays an important role. However, most users call the search for a comfortable place for capacity the biggest problem. It is especially difficult to combine different types of plants in one ecosystem: those that are exposed to more sun develop more actively, but some species, on the contrary, die faster under direct rays. In general, users recommend everyone to try to create their own florarium and get a lot of positive emotions.