Indoor Winter Gardens

	A cloche is a bell-shaped cover for plants that can be used to turn a single houseplant into an instant terrarium.
	Terrariums are no longer just fish tanks filled with plants. Decorative models look great and make a lovely addition to a room's decor.
	Any large vase or jar can be used as a cloche. Just turn it upside down and cover the plant.

Floral designer Ardith Beveridge joins TIPical Mary Ellen host Mary Ellen Pinkham to share some ideas for setting up terrariums and other indoor plant displays.

• Orchids, bromeliads and air plants make great inhabitants for terrariums.

• A cloche is really just a type of mini-terrarium. It holds the moisture in and is great for plants like small button ferns that dry out easily.

• If there's too much moisture and the sides of a terrarium become clouded with condensation, just remove the cover and let things dry out for a bit.

• Place a terrarium near a window with a southern exposure, but avoid placing it in direct sunlight.

• A temporary terrarium or cloche can be used to keep houseplants moist while you're away on a vacation.

Figure A

An old dishpan or plastic tray works great for the base of a terrarium (figure A). Just wrap the edge with moss and secure with spray glue. Place the base inside a terrarium and fill with plants.

Figure B

You can also create your own contemporary terrarium. Take any sort of container, even a cardboard box, and build a framework with bamboo or other material (figure B). Hold together with florist tape. Place a plastic liner in the bottom of the box to contain water.

Figure C

Fill the homemade terrarium with plants and cover with a sheet of clear plastic (figure C) to keep in moisture. Remove the plastic to display your work.

Resources
Designing With Fresh Flowers
This is one in a 12-volume series of videotapes.
Floral Communications Group, Inc.
13200 Lincoln St., N.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55434
Toll-free: 888-757-5776
Website: www.floralcommunications.com
Guests
Ardith Beveridge
Floral Designer and Teacher / Director, Koehler & Dramm
Minneapolis, MN
Phone: 612-362-3102
E-mail: Abeveridge@koehlerdramm.com
Website: www.koehlerdramm.com
Also in this Episode

TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-742
•	Indoor Winter Gardens
•	Homemade Sloppy Joes
•	Preventing Lost Luggage
•	Tip of the Day