Blogs for February, 2015

Happy six more weeks of winter, according to our favorite, favorite groundhog, Phil.  But before we worried about more cold weather from the world’s wee, furry winter season soothsayer Punxsutawney Phil, there was the day the Celts called Imbolc, or St. Brigid’s Day, to determine whether the winter would continue six more weeks.  Unlike the marmot medium, the Celtic goddess of winter, Caileach, was said ensure beautiful, wood-gathering weather on February 1st in order to gather her firewood and ensure her favorite wintry weather would continue.  Monday, it appears it was a good wood-gathering day, as Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, and predicted 6 more weeks of winter.

The good news? You can plant a terrarium or air plant indoors, no matter the weather!

It’s easy to create and care for your own air plant or terrarium. What do you have in your home to house your indoor greenery?  A fish bowl?  A jelly jar?  The City Farm’s Cow Milk Glasses? A sea urchin from your last ocean dive, such as what LA-based designer Cathy Van Hoang creates, with upside down shells as planters to create indoor, aerial jellyfish? Mother Nature Network gives an easy, step-by-step guide:

• First, rinse out your choice or terrarium with bleach water, and let it fully dry out for two days, to prevent any mold or spores that might affect your plant.
• Because your jelly jar or sea urchin doesn’t have drainage, start your terrarium with an inch or two layer of pea gravel, and then break up some sphagnum moss or burlap on top of the gravel. (According to MNN, the moss or burlap will prevent potting soil from seeping down to the bottom of the container.)
• Next, add a half inch layer of horticultural charcoal, to absorb unwanted odors, and then, adding approximately 2 inches of potting soil, depending on the height of your container.
• Visit your local nursery to choose the plants you want for your terrarium – thick, leafy plants like reindeer moss and ferns are favorites.  You can also add decorative rocks, or little tchocktkes that you love – miniature unicorns? Why not?  (Sweet Digs is a fabulous shop in Yucca Valley, just outside Joshua Tree, where you can create your own!)
• Keep your plant moist, but not wet, with misting, and placing it in indirect sunlight.  If you can’t see your plant through the condensation in the container, you’re giving it too much moisture.  And if you notice mold or fungus, you can remove bits of the plant, as well as dead flowers or leaves,  with tweezers or chopsticks.  Twice a year, feed your plants with small amounts of a granular fertilizer.

Six more weeks of winter?  Bring it, Phil.

Will you be planting a terrariums or air plant? Show us your gorgeous indoor garden on Twitter!

(Photo Credit: Air Plant Jellyfish by Petite Beast, Mother Nature Network)