IN THE OPEN: Open top bottles allow for a much wider range of plants in a variety of colours.
BOTTLE gardening is still a rather unusual branch of gardening locally. I learnt about this interesting method in New Zealand last year and have been brushing up on some pointers.
Traditional bottle gardens
True bottle gardens involve plants growing undisturbed in a sealed environment for months or even years without any interference from the gardener.
This can be traced back to Dr Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward, an amateur botanist, who liked to grow ferns in London during the 1830s. He got the idea from the way the sphinx moth emerges from a chrysalis. Ward’s efforts of putting moist earth in an enclosed bottle succeeded in introducing many exotic plants. It had a profound effect on a new hobby which is now used by gardeners the world over.
Ward experimented with many plants and seeds. He noticed that during the warm part of the day, moisture vapours came from the soil and formed condensation inside the glass bottles. These would run down the side of the bottle and back into the soil. He managed to get a seed to germinate and grow inside the bottle,and the plant managed to thrive without care.
Enclosed bottle environments are suitable for ferns because of the humidity and constant moisture, still air and freedom from pollution. Ward’s Dryopteris filix mas fern survived up to four years. His other experiment was with the Trichomanes speciosum, a waterfall plant that is difficult to grow. The first bottle gardening exhibition was held in Crystal Palace, London in 1851.
Modern bottle gardens
Nowadays, open top bottle gardens are also common. Whether you choose a sealed bottle or open top bottle depends on the plants you wish to have.
A sealed bottle can be very attractive to the eye with greenery and interesting shaped ferns and selaginellas. They can also be easy to maintain. Once the bottle is established, there is nothing to do except enjoy it for months or even years. Even if you are not a green-fingered gardener or expert, you can still be confident of success.
Poor light conditions inside the bottle can affect chlorophyll formation, thus causing variegated foliage. This can actually increase interest.
Open bottles are not too different from ordinary container plants. The opening will cause a loss of vapour and additional watering could be necessary to prevent the plants from drying out. Coloured plants might be more attractive when planted in an open bottle.
Choosing bottles
Apart from the traditional carboy, there are other suitable containers from antique bell jars or glass domes to sweet jars and wine bottles or even gold fish bowls.
What is important is the colour of the container. Bear in mind that coloured bottles prevent us from seeing the plants clearly inside the sealed environment. This is because light does not get through transparent glass completely and dark coloured bottles would be worse. Always choose clear and translucent glass so that you can appreciate the natural beauty of the plants.
Using an open concept would allow for a much wider range of plants in a variety of colours. Just remember that if you place the bottle in an air-conditioned room, the loss of moisture would be greater and therefore watering is necessary. However, you should ensure that the planting medium does not become waterlogged. This would lead to the deterioration of the plants.
The size of the bottle or container would limit the size of the plant or plants inside. Overcrowding would destroy the miniature effect.
Feeding is another critical issue. It is a good idea to add some slow release fertilisers into the medium before planting.
Placement
The simplest choice is to place it on top of a shelf, table or windowsill. Ensure that the position allows the bottle garden to be appreciated and get enough controlled light. Overly strong sunlight can scorch tender plants as the bottle’s glass may have a magnifying effect.
Do give bottle gardening a try. Send me an email for details or enquiries. Happy gardening.