Miniature Plant Displays

• Miniatures are just smaller plants, and the best known example is probably the bonsai tree. Any plant with small foliage, a small root system and that can live happily in a two-inch diameter container would make a good candidate for a miniature plant display.
  
  
• Plants that work well as minis include small varieties of ivies, philodendrons and ferns.

• Tools needed for working with miniature plants include a small watering can, an atomizer* (figure A), chopsticks or a small piece of wood, a spoon to help dig soil away and long-nosed pruning shears (figure B).
  
  
• Choose a container to plant minis in, such as a glass bowl, clay pot or glass cylinder.
  
  
• Select products for layering in the container. Use activated charcoal for at least one layer to help control odors and moisture. The other layers should consist of materials that do not absorb moisture. Use stones, decorative glass, clay shards, colored stones, polished stones, plastic beads and other colorful items for the remaining layers (figure C).

• One example of a plant display starts with seashells in the bottom of a glass bowl. Place a piece of plastic over the seashells (figure D), then top with sheet moss and tuck the sheet moss around the edge of the bowl. Pour some activated charcoal in for the next layer (figure E). Next add the plants, loosen and spread the soil around a bit and top with more moss (figure F).
  
  
• Plants with larger foliage should be pruned down with the pruning shears. Prune away larger growth regularly to keep the plants small.
  
  
• Water minis with the atomizer.

* atomizer--a device for converting a substance, especially a perfume or medicine, to a fine spray