Chapter 2: Art of Floriculture & Terrariums PDF

CHAPTER 2: ART OF FLORICULTURE TERRARIUM Terrariums are usually covered glass containers in which plants are grown, and can be opened for maintenance to access the plants inside. Terrariums are often kept as decorative or ornamental items. History of Terrariums In 1827 the terrarium was accidentall...

CHAPTER 2: ART OF FLORICULTURE TERRARIUM Terrariums are usually covered glass containers in which plants are grown, and can be opened for maintenance to access the plants inside. Terrariums are often kept as decorative or ornamental items. History of Terrariums In 1827 the terrarium was accidentally invented by Nathaniel Ward, a London doctor. He came over this invention because his outdoor plants would not live in the polluted air of London; he discovered that he could make miniature greenhouses which were then named fern cases. Later it was also known as Wardian cases. It was also used to transport tropical plants which needed protection from sea air and the rough weather of sea voyages. Preparing Terrarium Choice and material depends upon the basic images and ideas that lead to develop final scenery e.g. a composition with woodland plants, dessert plants, cacti and succulents. The terrarium should harmonize and accent the furnishing and surroundings. Points to Consider for selection of container 1. Location 2. Size 3. Color of glass  4. Size of container opening Types of Containers A terrarium container must be made from clear glass or plastic. Tinted or cloudy glass greatly reduces light and interferes with plant growth. Any type of clear container may be used: empty fish bowls fish tanks brandy snifters old glass jars jugs Glass bottles, Containers specially designed for terrariums Filling the container Several layers of materials are required that may include Drainage material (Rocks, pebbles or recycled glass chunks) Activated charcoal (sometimes called activated carbon) Sphagnum Moss (optional) Figurines, sticks or decorative items Potting soil suitable for your plants Steps for Preparing of terrarium Place a ½ inch layer of small gravel in bottom. Sprinkle some activated charcoal on top. Charcoal helps in controlling bad odors resulted from decomposition. Fill to proper height with a good draining potting soil. If soil “clumps” when squeezed, add some perlite, or vermiculite to lighten it up. Install plants. The number will depend on the size of the plants, and the container. Don’t over plant. Leave room to grow. Push the soil aside, place a plant in the depression, and firm the soil around it. Avoid excess water application.  Always use sterilized soil and avoid application of fertilizers which may harm (burning) the plants by producing ammonia vapors. Plants Many plants are suitable for growing in terrariums. Following points should be considered for selection of plants, How plant’s appearance fits into overall design of terrarium? Leaf Character Solid foliage color Variegated leaves Texture Shape of leaves Easy to work with Plants having different requirements should not mix together e.g. Desert plants should not be mixed with moisture-loving tropical plants. Under moist conditions in terrariums cacti are less desirable as this condition promotes rotting. Aglaonema spp. (Chinese evergreen) Begonia spp. (Begonia) Crassula argentea (Jade plant) Helxine soleirolii (Baby tears) Kalanchoe pinnata (Airplant) Pilea cadierii (Aluminum plant) Plectranthes australis (Swedish ivy) Saintpaulia spp. (African violet) Modern Terrariums In the recent years a lot of creativity is seen in making terrariums and certain devices for environment control are being added in making terrariums. TOTEM Totem is an upright support used to display indoor climbing plants like Pothos and Philodendron. Step for Preparation For making totem, a pole 3-5 times taller than the size of container is select. Then the pole is wrapped with sphagnum moss (2-3 inches thick layer) and bound the moss with net or string. Push the lower end of pole into the soil. The vine is then wind around the totem. The vine is fastened to totem by use hair pins or special stapler pin. The moss should be kept moist so the roots will easily grow into the moss. This gives a solid mass of leaves. Plants The “totem” plants may include the following: Monstera Pothos Philodendron DISH GARDENS Dish gardens are small scale miniature gardens that are placed within shallow and open containers (such as "dishes"). Dish gardens are commonly situated within plastic or ceramic dishes. The dish garden can be landscaped to represent a scene in nature, it is a miniature ecosystem. The plants used in a dish garden should be compatible and cultivars that stay small or grow very slowly are most commonly used. Materials: Containers for dish gardens include o bowls o cans o cartons o jars o Logs o soup mugs o troughs gravel charcoal pearlite mix water miniature or small xerophyte plants Procedures: 1. Select a suitable container. 2. Put a ½ to 1 inch layer of gravels into the container bottom. 3. Spread a layer of charcoal over the gravels. 4. Fill the container with suitable soil mixture leaving a little space at the top. 5. Select plants with diverse leaf colors, shapes and textures. Keep in mind that only the group of compatible plants must be selected for the dish garden. Some popular dish garden plants include African violets, asparagus ferns, club moss, cobra lilies, Irish moss, jade plants, sundew and Swedish ivy. 6. More weight in the dish garden can be attained by grouping very small plants of the same type.  7. Plants in the dish garden should be set in manner that they provide an aesthetically pleasing arrangement. 8. Use of material like gravel or stones, driftwood could give the appearance of a decaying log and rocks or hills. CONTAINER GARDENING Despite being very fashionable today it is as old as gardening itself. Among several reasons for its popularity, one of these is because it fits so well with the trends towards the small gardens. For many people gardening is a way of expressing their personalities and creativity, making and adopting containers that are unique and unusual can be part of that expression. It has many attributes; it ideals where space is very limited and can turn a patio, balcony, sunny porch, drive a roof top into a colorful growing space. It makes plants possible to grow that are not suitable to existing garden soils. Types of containers Ceramic Plastic Stone Terracotta Timber Uses Backgrounds or screens Decorating walls Focal Points  Hanging baskets Vertical walls Window boxes UNUSUAL CONTAINERS Some people with the sense of fun/humor are having ability to create something interesting that could be put into good use. Improvisation has much to offer. Sometime unusual planters can be observed too e.g. Barrels are purpose made Baskets Boots and shoes Buckets Growing bags Trays Tyres Wooden tubs FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS Flower or floral arrangement is an ancient art of selecting and organizing flowers and foliage according to the elements and principles of design in order to attain a pleasing and interesting design. Floral arrangements are created by using vases, baskets, bowls, or other containers, or making bouquets and compositions from cut flowers, herbs, foliage, ornamental grasses and other plant materials. Areas where flower arrangements are used: Lounges Restaurants Reception Banquets Lobby VIP rooms Suite rooms Principles of floral arrangements Balance Balance is achieved in a floral design when the flower size and container flow together and complement each other. The arrangement has visual weight on each side of the axis to make it stand alone. Asymmetrical Symmetrical Physical Balance Visual Balance Focal point Focal point is important in some designs because it creates the accent and interest. This will catch the eye of the viewer. Focal points are created by the use of unusual flowers, by grouping flowers of one color, or by using a larger flower. Proportion Proportion in an arrangement is important to keep relative size, color, and texture of the flower to create a pleasing arrangement. The general rule of thumb for floral designs is that they be a: ‘east one and one-half to two times the height or width of the container. Scale Scale is a principle that must be taken into consideration. The size of the flowers, where the arrangement is to be used, placement of the arrangement, and overall size of the completed design are all factors of scale. The design must be in pro-portion to the surrounding area. Accent Accent is used in a design to draw attention to the design. Many designers use the focal point to create this emphasis. It is that point of interest that catches one’s attention and enhances the design. Repetition Repetition is used to accentuate the flowers and colors used in a design. Repeating the use of material or color throughout the design can be very effective. Rhythm Rhythm creates a sense of continuity among the shapes, colors, and textures. It creates a feeling in the viewer that everything flows together in the arrangement thus giving a feeling of motion. Harmony Harmony is created in a floral design when all the parts flow together to give a total, completed look to the arrangement. Unity Unity is created when all of the arrangement flows together and is not segmented. For a look of unity the flowers in an arrangement must complement each other through color, size, and shape. Design Materials There are four basic types of design materials: line, mass, form, and filler flowers. Line flowers includes delphinium, gladiolus and snapdragons. These flowers are mostly used to create the external framework of the arrangement. Massing flowers includes asters, carnations, chrysanthemum, and roses. The flowers having head on the terminal end or the stem. These flowers are used in different arrangements to produce all of the design principles and to enhance the focal point. Form flowers includes orchid, bird of paradise and potea. These flowers have a unique shape or form. Filler flowers includes asparagus fern, baby’s breath, huckleberry, heather, statice, and palm which helps to fill any unfilled spaces in the design. The mechanics (Oasis, wires etc) of the arrangement are also covers by these flowers. (Source: Shry & Reiley, 2016) Types Triangular Shape Circular Shape Crescent Shape Fan Shape Hogarth or ‘S’ Shape Ikebana Creating/Making Ingredients Required Mechanics Equipment Containers Bases Accessories Plant material Mechanics The items used to keep the flowers, foliage and stem in place within the container. These are not visible. Some items are: Floral foam (Oasis) Chicken wire (wire mesh) Pin Holders (Kenzan) Adhesive tape Setting Clay Glue Pebbles & marbles Equipment Tools to ensure that a good arrangement is made. These are: Bucket Florist Scissors Mister Floral Tape Wire Knife Containers Vase & Jugs Basket Bowls & Trays Wreath Frames Candle Cups Miscellaneous Objects Bases Objects kept underneath the container to add beauty to the display or protect the surface. Some of these can be: - Wood base Stone base Oriental base Tree section Table mats Accessories Non-plant materials are included in arrangements. Their purpose is generally decorative but could be functional at times. Bronze lamps Hats Wooden shapes Beads Candles Carved objects Shells etc. BONSAI A bonsai is literally a “tree in a pot,” it is a Japanese art of keeping trees dwarf in containers. It gives an appearance of fully grown old tree in miniature form. Bonsai ranges in sizes from under 12 cm to about 75 cm in height. The Japanese tradition dates back over a thousand years. Similar practices also exist in various cultures, like Chinese and Vietnamese traditions. Not all plants are equally effective as bonsai. Plants used for bonsai should have following characteristics ▪ attractive bark or roots ▪ good twig form ▪ short internodes ▪ small leaves ▪ survive container culture ▪ survive intense pruning Plants: Plants maintained as bonsai are selected from evergreen and deciduous species. Commonly used species of plants are;  Elm trees Fig tree (Ficus Bonsai) Fuchsia Bonsai. Jade Bonsai (Crassula) Maple Olive Bonsai (Olea europaea) Pine Pomegranate Spruce Techniques A bonsai is styled by i) Trimming/cutting to encourage growth in certain areas ii) Controlling branch shapes with wire iii) Using growth retardant Bonsai can be classified into different styles, Cascade Formal upright Informal upright Semi-cascade Slanting Bonsai gardens At one time, finding a bonsai garden would be a rare thing. Now the number of public bonsai exhibits is growing rapidly throughout the world. Recent trend in development of bonsai gardens is gaining fame throughout the world. 1) The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum 2) The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens 3) Heathcoat Botanical Gardens 4) Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt \