Today is my first time making a terrarium. Have been wanting to go for this workshop for 3 years, and finally went for it. Can consider this as the fun and different activity for 2012 Week 1. Check something off my to-do list in 30 before 30. It is such an awesome experience that I am considering going for terrarium-making again, probably next year.

There are 3 layers in terrarium substrate – gravel drainage layer, sterilised approved soil mixture and perlite mulch. Managed to squeeze 2 species of Fittonia in it. Pretty plant and most suitable for terrarium and indoors! Got 1 with pink venation and another with red venation. There is also the other with light green venation (which is not as pretty).

Terrarium is becoming one of those pretty must-have deco in homes and offices. Well, since the odds of me owning a glasshouse is quite slim, I shall make do with terrariums for the next few decades of my life first. Start small, and slowly up-size the terrarium and plant species. Maybe can get a vivarium in the future too! Not a big fan of aquarium though.

Visited several glasshouses in New Zealand – on campus, in gardens and even orchards. One memorable glasshouse is the place where they planted tomatoes and capsicums (if I remembered correctly) for a University trip. Can’t find my photos for that trip. It was huge, but not exactly a glamourous looking place.

Two of the prettiest glasshouses gotta be the Wintergarden at Auckland Domain – one for tropical and one for temperate plants. The tropical glasshouse had plants that looked like Singapore flora, hence, never take much photos. The temperate glasshouse is prettier coz the plants are more exotic – in my opinion. Guess it depends which region you came from.

Entry is free for all, and during summer, it is cooler inside than outside. One of my fave fun and free activities. Auckland Domain is built around the cone of an extinct volcano and one of Auckland’s oldest park. This is more accessible by car and a good place to visit if you are on a drive trip.