Creating a miniature garden indoors is an ideal project to consider when the weather makes gardening outdoors impractical. Miniature plants can last for years, but they need the right conditions to enable them to thrive. This article by Janit Calvo which I found on the Empress of Dirt website lists the seven mistakes to avoid when growing miniature plants.
Mistake #1: Using Baby Plants
You can use baby plants in your miniature gardening but plan to transplant or repot them when they get too big.
Many garden centers have a display of baby houseplants plants next to their fairy garden section. While these little plants look absolutely darling sitting there in their wee pots, know that they are just baby plants and they will grow exponentially throughout the season. The same thing happens in the spring too. Garden centers often call baby herb plants ?fairy garden plants? but they too will grow quickly out of a miniature setting.
You can use baby plants; just know that you?ll have to pot it forward within a season or two.
Slow-growing, true dwarf and miniature plants work best.
Mistake #2: Growing Outdoor Plants Inside
You can bring your outdoor garden inside for a centerpiece during the holidays but only if you stage it like a living Christmas tree.
You can?t fool Mother Nature. Generally speaking, indoor plants are tropical plants that need to live above 60 degrees all year ?round. If you put an outdoor tree inside, it will think it is an endless summer and exhaust itself if it doesn?t die from the dry forced-air-heat during the winter first. Many plants need the cold temperatures and/or the change in light to know to go dormant and rest.
If your garden will be outside, select slow-growing, true dwarf and miniature plants suitable for your growing zone.
I am a keen gardener and so created Garden Pics and Tips for people who love gardens and enjoy great pictures of plants and gardens. Also covered are practical tips on all aspects of gardening.
