Terrarium trials

Kahlua · February 4, 2012

This year, in con★★★★★★★★ with some herbs outside, I'm going to grow come inside in an old 10 gallon fish tank that I had laying around (it used to house sick/breeding fish, but i've cut down on those guys so it's empty now) and so far it seems like a great idea for smaller plants.

The hood on the tank holds 2 100w CFL's which should be ok for light. The next part is going to be interesting.

I'd like to set up something similar to an earthbox design, with water on the bottom, an air gap, and wicking baskets/cups going up to invidividual plants. And that's where I'm at a loss. I'm not entirely sure what I can use to do that. I plan to use a 1inch PVC pipe as a fill tube since I have a good bit of that laying around, but as far as everything else goes, I'm at a loss.

I would like to keep each plant or couple plants in individual containers, but since this is a pretty small aquarium (or terrarium if you would) I can't for the life of me think of a great way to do it.

Does anyone have any suggestions for self watering planters that are the size of solo cups?

dice · February 6, 2012

Would not this be kind of humid for tomatoes? (Not what they like.)

Anyway, here is a Google image search on terrariums and "self-watering":
http://www.google.com/search?tbm=isc...56l626l4.2l6l0

Kahlua · February 6, 2012

This is just going to be for herbs and starting seeds before transplantation. It gives me a sealed environment with solid light and easy to manage conditions.

I'm mostly planning on using it to try and grow some herbs inside year round, but when I start the tomatoes and other veggies they'll probably go in there, as after 2 days my previously sprouted seedlings have grown double!

I guess I'm just worried about the amount of roots that most herbs grow. I cleared my little window planter that had basils in it last year, and some of those root balls were huge while some weren't as big. I don't want to cramp them in there, but I want tons of fresh herbs... oh well. I'll think of something.

Jeannine Anne · February 7, 2012

I think I would simply put some matting on inside on the bottom that would absorb and hold moisture, or a sand layer and place your pots on that, be prepared to pop the lid open sometimes as it may get hot and the herbs could get quite big, most of them do. Or have it in well lit place so you can leave the lights off sometimes. Usually palnts in a terarrium I don't think I have lights and they are usually sealed with a small amount of moisture and rarely need watering, I used to do quie a few way back in the 70s.

It would make a good propagater and small plant starter.

XX Jeannine

janezee · February 7, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kahlua

Does anyone have any suggestions for self watering planters that are the size of solo cups?

How about solo cups? with holes made with a heated ice pick and some cotton clothesline? You might try looking at the instructables.com site for ideas. People do amazing things there.
j

February 4, 2012	#1
Kahlua Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 7	Terrarium trials This year, in con★★★★★★★★ with some herbs outside, I'm going to grow come inside in an old 10 gallon fish tank that I had laying around (it used to house sick/breeding fish, but i've cut down on those guys so it's empty now) and so far it seems like a great idea for smaller plants. The hood on the tank holds 2 100w CFL's which should be ok for light. The next part is going to be interesting. I'd like to set up something similar to an earthbox design, with water on the bottom, an air gap, and wicking baskets/cups going up to invidividual plants. And that's where I'm at a loss. I'm not entirely sure what I can use to do that. I plan to use a 1inch PVC pipe as a fill tube since I have a good bit of that laying around, but as far as everything else goes, I'm at a loss. I would like to keep each plant or couple plants in individual containers, but since this is a pretty small aquarium (or terrarium if you would) I can't for the life of me think of a great way to do it. Does anyone have any suggestions for self watering planters that are the size of solo cups?

February 6, 2012	#2
dice Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: PNW Posts: 4,743	Would not this be kind of humid for tomatoes? (Not what they like.) Anyway, here is a Google image search on terrariums and "self-watering": http://www.google.com/search?tbm=isc...56l626l4.2l6l0 __________________ -- alias

February 7, 2012	#4
Jeannine Anne Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 1,553	I think I would simply put some matting on inside on the bottom that would absorb and hold moisture, or a sand layer and place your pots on that, be prepared to pop the lid open sometimes as it may get hot and the herbs could get quite big, most of them do. Or have it in well lit place so you can leave the lights off sometimes. Usually palnts in a terarrium I don't think I have lights and they are usually sealed with a small amount of moisture and rarely need watering, I used to do quie a few way back in the 70s. It would make a good propagater and small plant starter. XX Jeannine