Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Those in Glass Houses
I did this a while back and photographed the steps as I went along intending to one day create my first tutorial. So here we go!
For mine you'll need a fish tank (squeaky clean please), 1 bag of pearlite or fish tank gravel, 1 bag of horticultural charcoal, 1 bag of dried sphagnum moss, 1 bag of indoor potting soil, 1 bag of orchid growing medium (like bark mulch), sticks or small branches, air plants, bromeliads, and a small orchid. A misting bottle, a bowl and a couple of buckets, a strainer, and a pair of rubber gloves are handy also.
First place a 1cm layer of pearlite or aquarium gravel in an even layer on the bottom of the tank and then an even layer of charcoal on top just thick enough to cover the first layer. This is for drainage and the charcoal will filter the water and keep it clean. A good layer of sphagnum gets spread on top of this but first we have to soak it and strain it until it's the consistency of a damp sponge...
Spread a layer between 1-2cm. Take care to make sure you cannot see the charcoal underneath as this layer stops soil from seeping through to the gravel layer and will help keep your layers clean and pretty.
Next spread a 1cm layer of soil. This will provide nutrients for any of the plants that need them and will help to maintain an even moisture level. I've placed some plants inside the terrarium while I wait for the next step. The glass fogs up as the plants breathe.
Place enough of the orchid potting medium as will give you a 3-5cm layer in your terrarium. Cover with water and let it soak for the longest amount of time in the directions on the package (I let mine sit for 48 hours). Then drain the medium carefully (wear gloves as you can get tiny slivers) before adding it to your terrarium.
Next place your bromeliads directly into the orchid medium about 2cm deep along with the orchid. The air plants can be arranged balancing on the branches. Decorate in any other way you like (I placed clear glass Christmas tree ornaments in there).
Don't forget to mist the plants everyday or so. I started off with a plexiglass cover on this terrarium but it turned out it was a bit too much heat and humidity as the orchid medium grew a tiny bit of mould after 1 day. I removed the cover and picked out the few pieces of mouldy bark mulch and it was, and still is, fine now (this is 5 months later). Make sure it gets lots of indirect/filtered light.
Have fun!
For mine you'll need a fish tank (squeaky clean please), 1 bag of pearlite or fish tank gravel, 1 bag of horticultural charcoal, 1 bag of dried sphagnum moss, 1 bag of indoor potting soil, 1 bag of orchid growing medium (like bark mulch), sticks or small branches, air plants, bromeliads, and a small orchid. A misting bottle, a bowl and a couple of buckets, a strainer, and a pair of rubber gloves are handy also.
First place a 1cm layer of pearlite or aquarium gravel in an even layer on the bottom of the tank and then an even layer of charcoal on top just thick enough to cover the first layer. This is for drainage and the charcoal will filter the water and keep it clean. A good layer of sphagnum gets spread on top of this but first we have to soak it and strain it until it's the consistency of a damp sponge...
Spread a layer between 1-2cm. Take care to make sure you cannot see the charcoal underneath as this layer stops soil from seeping through to the gravel layer and will help keep your layers clean and pretty.
Next spread a 1cm layer of soil. This will provide nutrients for any of the plants that need them and will help to maintain an even moisture level. I've placed some plants inside the terrarium while I wait for the next step. The glass fogs up as the plants breathe.
Place enough of the orchid potting medium as will give you a 3-5cm layer in your terrarium. Cover with water and let it soak for the longest amount of time in the directions on the package (I let mine sit for 48 hours). Then drain the medium carefully (wear gloves as you can get tiny slivers) before adding it to your terrarium.
Next place your bromeliads directly into the orchid medium about 2cm deep along with the orchid. The air plants can be arranged balancing on the branches. Decorate in any other way you like (I placed clear glass Christmas tree ornaments in there).
Don't forget to mist the plants everyday or so. I started off with a plexiglass cover on this terrarium but it turned out it was a bit too much heat and humidity as the orchid medium grew a tiny bit of mould after 1 day. I removed the cover and picked out the few pieces of mouldy bark mulch and it was, and still is, fine now (this is 5 months later). Make sure it gets lots of indirect/filtered light.
Have fun!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
jealous
The other half and I took our bikes to a local park and I couldn't resist the wildflowers in the grass. I would have spent all day there but was reminded that there was more to see... I will return with a picnic soon!
edit: why doesn't the picture centre itself? Why am I confused looking at html? I need to learn this better so I can properly edit my posts!!!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
My Weekend in Numbers
11 herb seeds planted: 2 Fragrant Dill and 3 each of Italian large leaf Basil, Marjoram & Summer Savoury to go with my 1 chive plant.
2 newly purchased African Violets tenderly transplanted into pretty glazed pots.
6 house plants re-potted.
10 house plants dusted and watered.
10 fingernails full of soil (priceless).
1 layer of swept-up pine needles, old potting soil, and plant trimmings spread out on the compost.
1 bag of mushroom manure purchased for $6 at Burnaby Central High School to support charity.
1 deck prepared for "Power-wash Tuesday" (can't wait to set up the patio furniture next weekend!).
1 laundry line washed.
4 loads of laundry washed and dried on the line.
1 bundled up stack of cardboard boxes tied with twine, 1 full bag of newspapers, 2 bins of bottles, jars, tin cans, and containers put out for recycling.
6 new blogs I now follow added to the growing list of inspiration (omg Martha has a new crafting blog!).
2 trips to the grocery store to buy fruits and veggies and pasta with 3 cloth market bags.
1 housewarming party with 30 people in a 400 square foot apartment.
2 bookshelves dusted, the rest can wait for next weekend.
1 cat shooed out of our house 3 times because he doesn't get along with my cat.
2 pizzas made from scratch. 3 people standing in the kitchen eating and conversing.
1/2 a movie watched.
0 hours of time spent playing video games and watching TV.
2 newly purchased African Violets tenderly transplanted into pretty glazed pots.
6 house plants re-potted.
10 house plants dusted and watered.
10 fingernails full of soil (priceless).
1 layer of swept-up pine needles, old potting soil, and plant trimmings spread out on the compost.
1 bag of mushroom manure purchased for $6 at Burnaby Central High School to support charity.
1 deck prepared for "Power-wash Tuesday" (can't wait to set up the patio furniture next weekend!).
1 laundry line washed.
4 loads of laundry washed and dried on the line.
1 bundled up stack of cardboard boxes tied with twine, 1 full bag of newspapers, 2 bins of bottles, jars, tin cans, and containers put out for recycling.
6 new blogs I now follow added to the growing list of inspiration (omg Martha has a new crafting blog!).
2 trips to the grocery store to buy fruits and veggies and pasta with 3 cloth market bags.
1 housewarming party with 30 people in a 400 square foot apartment.
2 bookshelves dusted, the rest can wait for next weekend.
1 cat shooed out of our house 3 times because he doesn't get along with my cat.
2 pizzas made from scratch. 3 people standing in the kitchen eating and conversing.
1/2 a movie watched.
0 hours of time spent playing video games and watching TV.
Friday, March 13, 2009
London Calling
Work sent me to the UK again for a week in February. I was full of nervous excitement as I had no idea (and actually, I don't think I ever discovered this...) what the purpose of this visit was for me. In the end I made my own "purpose" set a theme and a feeling for this trip and endeavored to make it a personal growth experience.
Pearson Airport was welcoming, if a bit cold and empty, and we passed the time waiting for our connecting flight at a little bar watching the Canucks/Leafs game that was playing in Toronto that night. I noticed (not sure how anyone would miss this monstrous sculpture) this and had to photograph it. I wanted desperately to see what was on the other side but couldn't. I wanted to travel through the passage but couldn't bring myself to. I didn't really want to know what was in store for me yet.
We landed in London after a long flight in an older plane without personal video screens. I had to make do with a "single serving friend" to keep me occupied during the 6 hours I spend without a working reading lamp.
The 4 of us headed into London proper to our hotel near a football stadium. We watched the Fulham vs West Brom match while a) trying not to fall asleep b) trying not to be afflicted with hypothermia.
I snuck this photo after swearing up and down to security that "yes, I understand I'm not allowed to use an SLR camera on stadium grounds, I choose to keep it with me but not remove it from its case. yes, you've thoroughly explained to me that if I'm caught using it on stadium grounds I will be immediately escorted out".
We met up the next morning with Rob and off we were whisked Southerly to Poole (this is the Centre of our Universe if you didn't know).
I visited the High Street Lush and B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful shops a few times over the 4 days we were there.
These looked delightfully scrumptious for some reason...
My perspective was challenged quite a few times over the week and I am thankful for that and take a chance to reflect on that experience whenever I can to remind myself.
I had a chance to spend a lot of time with Esther. This was really good for me and I suspect the same for her as well!
Some experimentation happened that I won't talk about but... it did involve a lot of chocolate... various oils... and 4 guys...
The number 23 visited us unexpectedly while bowling so we had to give props and acknowledge it. Much more beer and debauchery happened that night, luckily there is no photo evidence!
On the train from Poole back up to London I spotted these darling gents chatting on a bench and couldn't resist snapping them up.
This is my favourite train station I've ever been to. Every time I ride through it I must take its photo.
Aella and I met up outside of the 'Parthenon' in Covent Garden. Street performers frequent this spot making the balcony across the plaza at Punch and Judy's the place to be.
So glad we could spend the evening together drinking cider and eating Italian food in London of all places. xoxoxoxox
You'll have to excuse me, I'm not at my best
I've been gone for a week, I've been drunk since I left
These so-called vacations will soon be my death
I'm so sick from the drink, I need home for a rest.
Pearson Airport was welcoming, if a bit cold and empty, and we passed the time waiting for our connecting flight at a little bar watching the Canucks/Leafs game that was playing in Toronto that night. I noticed (not sure how anyone would miss this monstrous sculpture) this and had to photograph it. I wanted desperately to see what was on the other side but couldn't. I wanted to travel through the passage but couldn't bring myself to. I didn't really want to know what was in store for me yet.
We landed in London after a long flight in an older plane without personal video screens. I had to make do with a "single serving friend" to keep me occupied during the 6 hours I spend without a working reading lamp.
The 4 of us headed into London proper to our hotel near a football stadium. We watched the Fulham vs West Brom match while a) trying not to fall asleep b) trying not to be afflicted with hypothermia.
I snuck this photo after swearing up and down to security that "yes, I understand I'm not allowed to use an SLR camera on stadium grounds, I choose to keep it with me but not remove it from its case. yes, you've thoroughly explained to me that if I'm caught using it on stadium grounds I will be immediately escorted out".
We met up the next morning with Rob and off we were whisked Southerly to Poole (this is the Centre of our Universe if you didn't know).
I visited the High Street Lush and B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful shops a few times over the 4 days we were there.
These looked delightfully scrumptious for some reason...
My perspective was challenged quite a few times over the week and I am thankful for that and take a chance to reflect on that experience whenever I can to remind myself.
I had a chance to spend a lot of time with Esther. This was really good for me and I suspect the same for her as well!
Some experimentation happened that I won't talk about but... it did involve a lot of chocolate... various oils... and 4 guys...
The number 23 visited us unexpectedly while bowling so we had to give props and acknowledge it. Much more beer and debauchery happened that night, luckily there is no photo evidence!
On the train from Poole back up to London I spotted these darling gents chatting on a bench and couldn't resist snapping them up.
This is my favourite train station I've ever been to. Every time I ride through it I must take its photo.
Aella and I met up outside of the 'Parthenon' in Covent Garden. Street performers frequent this spot making the balcony across the plaza at Punch and Judy's the place to be.
So glad we could spend the evening together drinking cider and eating Italian food in London of all places. xoxoxoxox
You'll have to excuse me, I'm not at my best
I've been gone for a week, I've been drunk since I left
These so-called vacations will soon be my death
I'm so sick from the drink, I need home for a rest.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Inspired and Deflated
I've found a new crop of amazing blogs to follow lately that are both inspiring me and discouraging me all at the same time. My creative juices are flowing faster than my pocket book can keep up but I'm intimidated about posting as I'm not as good as they are and am not at all sure what to write about that would even BE good enough. If I had the time to do all that I wanted to do my blog would look and feel similar to this one that I've just started following and can't take my eyes off of: Attic24
Friday, February 13, 2009
I'm Horrible
I wanted to post a video clip from Superstar when she yells at her Grandmother "You're Horrible" over and over but embedding is turned off so you'll just have to click on the Title of this post for that one. The video I am posting is funny too and is in honour of ANTM starting it's new season March 4th *cheers*!
Basically, I'm horrible for not updating my blog in a while.
Basically, I'm horrible for not updating my blog in a while.
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