Does anyone have an "organic" (ideally peat-free) growing medium for a closed system terrarium--e.g. one that does not use perlite? I have Begonia microsperma in a terrarium, but was interested in general suggestions. Thank you. Diana Fish In a message dated 12/27/2009 12:01:17 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, jwaddick@kc.rr.com writes: >So I have a 65g hex aquarium & stand that I want to set up as a >terrarium. I've never made one before, and I figure that I've got two >options. Dear Dennis, I think this sounds like a perfect set for a ground cover of micro and mini sinningias. These are tiny bulbous relatives of Gloxinias and come in a variety of sizes and colors of flowers. The smallest are very small. Once established they can self sow. Try http://littlecountryvillage.com/Cottage-Gardening/… And there's a steady range of even larger, but still small bulbous gesneriads to boot. In simlar conditions you should really try the tiny Begonia prismatocarpa http://kartuz.com/pc/20501/…. Not really tuberous, but among the smallest of Begonias and there's a number of slightly larger, but again still tiny, Begonias. A plant I wouldn't be without although a big vigorous is the mini-fig Ficus pumila 'minima' variegata. Small leaves and trailing. It can cover the sides of a terrarium rather quickly, but exceedingly cute. I've tried a couple orchids in a terrarium too, but they really prefer more air flow than a close system provides. The 'Jewel orchids' such as Ludisia discolor has beautiful foliage. And there's others. And the tropical Selaginellas, mosses and Lycopodiums are great too. Smaller ferns like the 'blue' Microsorum thailandicum are amazing looking A closed system humid terrarium still needs a fair amount of light. Cacti in a dry terrarium are essentially a short term effort in my experience, but a closed humid terrarium can go for a long time before it needs major work. I have been seeing some amazing photos recently of riparia - a low water based system (with a pump for flow) using small tropical aroids for foliage and color. Some of these might mix with more typical terrarium plants. I am sure I missed something obvious, but that's a start. Does any of this inspire? I'm revved. Jim W. -- Dr. James W. Waddick 8871 NW Brostrom Rd. Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711 USA Ph. 816-746-1949 Zone 5 Record low -23F Summer 100F + _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.ibiblio.org http://pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/