A Bottle Garden: It’s a jungle in there!

A bottle garden is fun to make because your imagination holds the key as to how your miniature “jungle” will turn out.

When planning your creation, pick plants with different colors and textures but most importantly, pick plants that you really like! Also take into consideration how big the plants will get.

It is better to choose smaller plants so you don’t have to replace them very often. If you choose a bottle with a cork, you will also be able to grow plants that thrive in high humidity. The most difficult part (and it really isn’t that difficult) of creating a bottle garden is finding or creating a tool that will enable you to reach to the bottom of the bottle.

However, a quick look around the house should yield what you need. Chopsticks, BBQ skewers, and long handled spoons all work well. You can even create your own tool by taping a spoon to a long narrow piece of wood.

Materials: Large glass bottle with a cork
Gravel
Funnel…may or may not be needed depending on the size of the bottle opening
Compost
Charcoal…to keep the bottle smelling fresh if the environment becomes too moist. Long tools…use something from around the house or make one that fits your needs.
Assortment of small plants…choose slow growing varieties.

Directions for creating your own “indoor jungle”:
-Place gravel in the bottom of the bottle and spread evenly
-Add a thin layer of charcoal
-Add a 2-3 inch layer of compost and spread evenly
-Dig a hole for each plant
-Add plants one by one and use the tool to pat down the compost around each
-Use a spray bottle to moisten the plants
-Place the cork firmly on the bottle

It may take 1-2 weeks to balance the atmosphere of your bottle garden. You can do this by removing the cork and replacing it as you notice what is happening. You should see some misting on the interior glass, especially in the morning. If the walls never dry than there is too much moisture in the bottle.(Remove cork) If no moisture is ever seen clinging to the bottle, then that is an indication that water is needed. (Water and add cork) Once you figure out the environment, your new garden is relatively maintenance free.

Care:
-Water as needed: determined by moisture levels on walls.
-Occasionally you will have to remove plants that have grown too large or you might have to lightly prune to keep the garden looking its best.
-Do not fertil1ze-you don’t want plants to grow too quickly or you will have to replace them all the time.
-place near sunlit area but not direct sun!

Containers:
Large corked jars Cookie jars Fish Bowls Large plastic soda bottles....great activity for children!

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