Planting Instructions for Wardian Cases, Conservatories, or Miniature Greenhouses

Wardian Cases Home

Wardian Case Theme
The first thing to consider is your display theme. Some suggestions are tropical forest, marshy bog, or even southwestern desert. Wardian Cases are very personal miniature gardens, so the choice is up to you.

Before Planting
To get started you really don't need much equipment (hands and fingers are best for miniature gardens.) You will need some soil, gravel, and charcoal chips.

• First, start with a layer of gravel (1/8" crushed gravel is best.) Your tray is about 3" tall and you will want to have about a 3/4" layer of gravel.
• Next, sprinkle a layer of charcoal chips, enough to cover the gravel layer. Top this off with 2" of potting soil.
• If you choose to plant orchids or cacti you should consult your local greenhouse for pre-packaged specialty soil mixes.

Landscaping
Before adding plants, you might want to do a little landscaping. A few rocks can give your case some dimension. You might want to use oval or rounded Japanese black cobbles, twigs, or even miniature garden furnishings.

Planting
The main question, what type of plants to use? Miniatures or dwarf plants are best and here's a list of suggestions:
Any green plant will thrive. Favorites include members of the Peperomia family, pileas, miniature ferns, coleus, cuban oregano, penta, tradea scentia, miniature mums. Even collector plants like African violets, orchids or small begonias are great!
If you choose to plant flowering plants, you will need to remove the Wardian Case from time to time as these types of plants need some ventilation and pruning.
As you get more adventurous, you might even try a miniature garden trellis with a miniature rose - or how about a bonsai tree?
Finally, add a little ground cover. Mosses work very well. If you are looking for total cover try a little baby's tear or Scottish moss. When using mosses, plant them immediately. Push the tiny pieces into the soil and make sure they are well inserted into the soil. Little pebble trails or garden tools are also a great accent. Remember, if you get tired of your miniature garden you can always remove and/or add a few plants - or you can start over - completely from scratch and create an entirely new garden with a new theme.
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Common Plant Ailments and Remedies:

• Yellow leaves or leaf tips turning brown:
  Too much moisture. Try taking the top off your case for a few hours a day until plants look greener.
• Leaves falling off the plants:
  Foliage is touching the glass. Adjust your plants or prune.
• Leggy growth:
  Not enough light. Remember, don't put in direct sunlight.
• Brown or black blotches:
  Too much sun. Move to lower light area.

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Planting instructions for your new conservatory
Conservatories provide an easy to care for environment for plants protecting them from dry heat, air conditioning and dust. By purchasing an indoor conservatory from Kings River Gifts you just have bought a unique piece of furniture for your flowers and plants. A variety of plants and flowers will live happily in the units due to the venting and airflow provided. Consider changing our your plants with the seasons. Try ferns, evergreens, poinsettias, Christmas cactus, and flowering plants in the winter and roses, fuchsias, and geraniums in the spring. Ferns are easy to take care of and a wonderful way to highlight your other plant life in your conservatory. If you plan to place your conservatory outside keep a few things in mind. Depending upon where you place your conservatory, you will need to remove some or possibly all of your glass - the more exposure to sun, the more glass needs to be removed. Outside your conservatory will be aged by the elements causing its antique look to be enhanced over time. If you wish to preserve your conservatory's fresh look outdoors you should spray it with polyurethane once per year.

Planting Instructions:
We recommend that you leave your plants in pots with saucers under them for several reasons:

1. Easy change out of a "look" or an ailing plant.
2. Plants are healthier because they receive the individual care they need such as watering.
3. Removing a root bound plant that is part of planted tray disturbs the other plants and can be messy. If you chose to plant directly in the tray and do not use a liner, some natural rusting to the tray will occur. start with a plastic liner in the tray. Add 1/2 inch to an inch of gravel in the bottom for drainage. Next sprinkle enough charcoal chips to cover the gravel layer. Charcoal helps keep bacteria at bay. Top this with potting soil and add your plants. Water. Remember to choose the right type of soil for the type of plant you are putting in your indoor conservatory. Orchids, Cacti and Violets are just a few types of plants that need special mixtures of soil. Watering - Gauge the amount of water your plants need by touching the soil.