The concept of bottle gardens, plant cases or terrariums has developed from the Wardian case invented by an English botanist Dr. Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward (1791-1868).

Eagle's Nest Terrarium

The principle behind Dr Ward’s discovery about bottle gardens is that once humidity has been established in a sealed, transparent container, moisture from the soil and transpiration from the leaves runs down into the soil and creates a self-supporting environment.  If condensation builds up in the bottle garden the lids or stoppers should be removed for a few days to prevent the container becoming waterlogged, but the bottle garden once planted should require very little attention for many months.  For more information consult 

The complete book of terrarium gardening

Interesting Glass Containers

Keep an eye out for interesting glass or clear plastic jars or bottles that can be used for your bottle garden.  You may find them in second hand shops or fares, and the older the better.  Be aware that color blocks out light, but that small flaws or bubbles can add to the appeal of the display, and the older glass very often has slight flaws in it.

 

How to Make a Bottle Garden

Narrow-necked clear glass bottles make excellent containers for growing small, slow-growing plants, but require long-handled tools and some dexterity for the initial planting of the bottle garden.  

To prepare the container for planting cover the base with 1 – 2 inches of charcoal chips mixed with pebbles as a drainage layer.  Add a 2 – 4 inch layer of damp potting mix, which could consist of 2 parts soil-based potting mix, 2 parts coarse sand and 1 part leaf mold or peat moss.  When adding these materials use a cardboard or paper tube so you don’t soil the inside of the glass, and then smooth out the surface using a spoon on a stick.

Plan the arrangement for you bottle garden on the table before putting the plants into the container, so you know where each one must go for best display, and so that small plants are not hidden or squashed. 

Use the spoon on the stick to make an indentation for the roots of each plant.  Begin by planting around the outside of the bottle garden and then working towards the middle.  Before lowering the plants into the container remove as much soil as possible from the roots and if necessary trim the plant back.

Hubbard Scientific 44300 Terrarium

Hold the plant gently between two sticks (chopsticks are  ideal) and lower it down into the indentation, and repeat this process for as many plants as you have.  When you have finished planting the bottle garden you should firm down the soil with a small wooden spool on a stick.  You may wish to add some decorative pebbles or driftwood to the top of the soil in the bottle garden for added visual effect.

Spray the plants with a fine mist and if necessary clean the inside of the bottle with a moist sponge on a length of wire.

Put a stopper in the container and place it in an area of good indirect light.  Your bottle garden should last as a showpiece for several months with only occasional ventilation and pruning.




Animals in Your Bottle Garden

Another aspect you may not have thought of with regard to keeping a bottle garden is that you can keep certain animals in it.  Animals like frogs, snails, lizards and geckos can have a safe, comfortable home in your bottle garden.  You can find out more about this interesting hobby by reading the book Terrarium Animals From A To Z