Growing baby tears plants is a joy and satisfaction for many terrarium enthusiasts. With their beautiful, lacy foliage, these plants can add beauty to any terrarium. But how do you go about growing baby tears in a terrarium? In this article, we’ll walk you through how to grow baby tears in your terrarium.
Baby Tears Plant in Terrarium
Setting Up the Terrarium for Baby Tears Plant
A. Choosing the Appropriate Container
The first step in setting up your terrarium is to select the correct container. Baby tears plants need plenty of light and room to grow; the terrarium size should reflect this. A terrarium with a large surface area and a high top is best for allowing the plant enough room to spread out. The container should also be made of a material that provides plenty of airflow, such as glass or plastic.
B. Filling the Container
Once you have chosen the right container, the next step is to fill it with the appropriate material. The best material to use for baby tears is a combination of peat moss and potting soil. The peat moss helps to keep the soil light and airy, while the potting soil will provide the necessary nutrients for the plant to grow. Once you have filled the container with soil, you can add a layer of small stones or gravel. This will help to keep the soil in place and provide extra drainage.
C. Adding Soil
Once the container is filled with the soil and stones, you can add the baby tears plants. You should add enough plants to cover the surface of the terrarium, but only a few as this can cause overcrowding. Keep the plants evenly spaced to give them enough room to spread out and grow.
D. Adding Water
Adding water is the last step in setting up a terrarium to grow baby tears plants. You should water the plants regularly but don’t overwater them. Baby tears plants need moist, not soggy, soil to thrive. You can also mist the plants, but this is unnecessary.
Planting Baby Tears in Terrarium
A. Selecting the Right Baby Tears
When it comes to baby tears in a terrarium, size matters! Look for a variety with small, round leaves to help them fit better into the terrarium. You should also ensure the baby tears are healthy, with no signs of disease or damage. Lastly, consider the color of the baby tears, as some varieties can have a pinkish hue that can contrast with the green of the terrarium.
B. Preparing the Baby Tears
Once you’ve selected the right baby tears, it’s time to get them ready to plant. Start by removing dead or damaged leaves and stems, which can attract pests. You should also trim off any roots that might be too long, as this will help them fit better into the terrarium.
C. Planting the Baby Tears
Now that you’ve prepared the baby tears, it’s time to plant them. Start by adding a few inches of moist potting mix to the bottom of the terrarium. Then, gently insert the baby tears into the soil, ensuring they’re spaced a few inches apart. Finally, cover the baby’s tears with a thin layer of soil and mist the terrarium with a spray bottle.
Caring for the Baby Tears Plant
Caring for a Baby Tears Plant in a Terrarium is super easy. Following a few simple notes, you can have eye-pleasing baby tears green in your terrarium.
A. Bright Indirect Light
Baby tears plants need plenty of bright, indirect light. Place your terrarium in an area where it will get at least four to six hours of bright, indirect light each day. If you live in a mainly sunny climate, you may need to limit the direct sunlight the terrarium receives. Direct sunlight can lead to leaf burn, so keep your terrarium out of any direct sunlight.
B. Water Requirements
The Baby Tears Plant is a low-maintenance plant that only needs minimal water. It prefers soil that is kept slightly moist, not wet. If the soil gets too wet for too long, the plant will begin to rot and die. The best way to water is to use a spray bottle and mist the soil lightly. The soil should always be smooth. If the soil becomes too dry, give it a thorough soaking.
C. Fertilizer Requirements
The Baby Tears Plant requires no fertilization when grown in a terrarium. However, if you want to provide the plant with extra nutrients, you can feed it a weak solution of liquid fertilizer every couple of months.
D. Temperature Requirements
The Baby Tears Plant enjoys warm temperatures ranging between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Any temperature lower than 65 degrees could cause the plant to become dormant.
E. Pruning
The Baby Tears Plant grows very quickly and must be pruned back every so often to keep it looking its best. Prune the plant by cutting the leaves and stems to the desired size. Be sure to remove only a little as it could cause the plant to become stressed and not grow as well.
F. Misting Regularly
The Baby Tears Plant needs regular misting to keep its delicate foliage from drying. Use a spray bottle to mist the foliage several times a week. Misting also helps to keep the humidity levels in the terrarium at a healthy level.
Troubleshooting Baby Tears Plants in Terrarium
Baby Tears plants in terrariums can be prone to problems that can cause discoloration, browning of leaves, and other issues. If you’re having trouble with your Baby Tears, here’s how to troubleshoot it and get your terrarium back to looking its best.
A. Browning of Leaves
One of the most common issues with Baby Tears plants is the browning of leaves. This results from too much direct sunlight reaching the plant, which can cause the leaves to become scorched and brown. If you see browning of the leaves, try moving the terrarium to a spot where it will receive less direct sunlight.
Another cause of the browning of leaves can be overwatering. Baby Tears plants should only be watered once a week, and any excess water should be drained away. If you’ve been overwatering your plant, try reducing the amount of water and allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
B. Discoloration
Discoloration of leaves is another common issue with Baby Tears plants. This is caused by either too little sunlight or too much fertilizer. If you see discoloration of the leaves, try moving the terrarium to a spot that receives more sunlight or reducing your fertilizer.
If you’ve followed the above steps and your Baby Tears plant still has problems, it may be time to repot it. This will give the roots more room to grow and increase the plant’s chances of thriving.
Wrap Up
Growing Baby Tears in Terrarium is a fun and rewarding experience. With the right set up, dedication and patience, you can have a thriving patch of beautiful and delicate foliage. Selecting the right substrate, controlling light and humidity levels, and providing enough water and fertilizer ensures your terrarium is healthy and thriving.
