Keeping the terrarium sealed allows for the circulation of water. Tropical plant varieties, such as mosses, orchids, ferns, and air plants, are generally kept within closed terraria due to the conditions being similar to the humid and sheltered environment of the tropics. Types īecause of the different conditions within, terrariums can be classified into two types: closed and open.Ī variety of common houseplants in a sealed terrarium.
Wardian cases were used for many decades, by Kew Gardens and others, to ship plants around the British Empire. His experiment indicated that plants can be sealed in without ventilation and continue thriving. Likewise, plants from Australia were sent to London using the same method and Ward received his Australian plants in perfect condition. After months of travel, the plants arrived well and thriving. Ward hired carpenters to build his Wardian cases to export native British plants to Sydney, Australia. Instead of the terrarium, it was known as the Wardian case. The trend quickly spread in the Victorian Era amongst the English. A fern spore in the jar grew, germinated into a plant, and this jar resulted in the first terrarium. Ward had an interest in observing insect behaviour and accidentally left one of the jars unattended. The first terrarium was developed by botanist Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward in 1842. In addition to this, the light that passes through the transparent material of the terrarium allows for the plants within to photosynthesize, a very important aspect of plant growth. This contributes to creating an ideal environment for growing plants due to the constant supply of water, thereby preventing the plants from becoming over dry. This water vapour then condenses on the walls of the container, and eventually falls back to the plants and soil below. This happens because moisture from both the soil and plants evaporates in the elevated temperatures inside the terrarium. The sealed container combined with the heat entering the terrarium allows for the creation of a small scale water cycle. Closed terraria create a unique environment for plant growth, as the transparent walls allow for both heat and light to enter the terrarium. Terraria are often kept as decorative or ornamental items. However, terraria can also be open to the atmosphere rather than being sealed. A temperature-controlled terrarium with plants insideĪ terrarium (plural: terraria or terrariums) is usually a sealable glass container containing soil and plants, and can be opened for maintenance to access the plants inside.
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