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TERRARIUM CARE
Caring for your terrarium is easy. Place your terrarium within 10 feet of a window, remaining cautious of placing directly in south-facing windows. Never expose your terrarium to direct sunlight. Check every couple of weeks to see if your terrarium needs water, feeling the soil to check the moisture level. If so, add water. If there is a high level of condensation or too much water, leave the top off until it has had a chance to dry out. Pull off any leaves that show signs of yellowing or damage and prune plants if they grow too large. Do not fertilize your terrarium as growth is not encouraged.
CARNIVOROUS PLANT CARE
Venus fly traps like very humid and swamp-like conditions. Good choices include: an open-top terrarium or the tray method. The "tray method" is simply a method where the pot is placed in a tray with standing water. Additionally, Venus Fly Traps like acidic soil, so it's best to use a mixture that includes sand and sphagnum moss. Make sure to place your Venus Fly Trap in an area that is bright, but the plant will likely do best if it is kept out of direct sunlight.
Venus Flytraps should be monitored, especially during hot and dry weather, to ensure that their growing medium does not dry out completely. The growing medium ideally should be just moist, not soggy or waterlogged. Therefore, the tray method is best used while the plants are in direct sunlight or hot weather, or when one goes on vacation, to ensure that the medium does not dry out. However, because the plants are sensitive to chemicals, be sure to water them with only distilled water or rainwater. If you are going to use tap water, allow it to sit in an open container for a day or two. In the winter months, Venus Fly Traps go dormant for about three months. When this happens, the plant should be stored in an area where the temperature is between 45 degrees and 50 degrees F.
Venus Fly Traps only need to eat two or three times a month, and unnecessarily tripping the plant's food trap, either with food or your finger, can cause the plant to die because it drains its energy and makes its trigger hairs less sensitive. Common insects to feed Venus Fly Traps include flies or crickets. Insects can be alive or dead, but make sure not to give the plants insects that were killed by pesticides or other chemicals. Never feed your carnivorous plant raw meat.
FAIRY GARDEN PLANT CARE
Fairy gardens do best planted in a typical potting mix that can be found at any garden center. If you decide to make your own, use 50% potting soil with 50% perlite. Fill your container about one inch from the top. A light application of a time-release fertilizer is recommended. Keep your fairy garden well watered. Adjust watering according to the climate and location of your garden. Make sure to bring your gardens indoors if there is a possibility of frost or during extreme heat. Trim plants when necessary. You can pinch or snip off larger foliage. Don't forget to remove any spent blooms.
DISH GARDEN
CARE
A Dish Garden is a collection of live plants grown in a single container. With proper care, plants in the container will eventually grow large, allowing for a transplant into their own separate container. In time, a small indoor garden can grow into a collection of beautiful household tropical plants.
Indoor garden plants do well in diffused light with moderately moist soil, with average home temperatures between 55 - 80°F (13 - 27°C). Be careful not to overwater the plants - the containers do not allow for drainage. When in doubt, determine the need by simply feeling the soil; cool and moist soil indicates a proper amount of water. The rate of growth is also dependent upon the amount of light received; the less light received, the slower the rate of growth. However, be careful not to place the indoor garden in direct sunlight.
For healthier growth, a balanced fertilizer can be added to the soil on a monthly basis, (see fertilizer package instructions for appropriate
mixing ratios). With proper fertilizing, the plants will remain lush and green. Tip: yellowing leaves are an indication of either a lack of nutrients
or inappropriate watering (too much or not enough).
Hydration: Check the soil of your dish garden daily. If the soil is dry below the surface, the garden should be lightly watered. Keep in mind that plants generally require less frequent watering during the winter months. Plants that are in pots which are porous or have drainage holes require more frequent watering than plants that are in pots without adequate drainage. Do not overwater. This can lead to root rot which will destroy the plant. Again, feel the soil regularly. Most plants like the soil to be evenly moist, but not soggy. It's also a good idea to rotate your plant's ¼ turn when watering to assure even growth. Grouping plants can help them to retain moisture when you are away for a few days. Plants that thrive in high moisture conditions can benefit from regular misting, a humidifier or occasional placement near the shower.
Plant Placement: Most plants require at least medium to bright light. Avoid drafty locations. Keep the plants away from doors and open windows during the cooler months. Keep plants away from air conditioning and heat ducts.
Fertilizer/Food: Plants require some, but very little fertilizer and any choice in plant food will keep your plants healthy. Generally, you should cut back on fertilizer/food during the plants' dormant period, which is usually during the winter months.
Pests: Keep an eye out for infestations. Many pests are very tiny, so look for damaged leaves, fine white webs, spotting or anything out of the ordinary. Pesticides are available at most garden centers. A quick solution is to wash the leaves with warm, soapy water and rinse.