LifeCrowd Homemade Terrarium Workshop in LA Tomorrow

Thanks to a commenter for a tip on a terrarium-making workshop in Los Angeles tomorrow, June 24th from 2-4pm.  LifeCrowder Jessica D. will be running the show - to RSVP sign in to the LifeCrowd event at this link.  Here's the event description:

No green thumb or yard space needed- create your own sustainable eco-system with a DIY terrarium. The perfect option for us LA folk without much yard space, Jessica will explain all you need to know about succulents, cacti, and desert plants. Design a terrarium in a dish or vase and keep for yourself or gift it! All plants & containers for terrariums included, plus a take-home reference chart, plant care guide, and refreshments to sip on while you work! 

Geodesic Terrarium by Kelly Lamb

Phenomenal structural terrarium by Kelly Lamb.

Kelly Lamb

Labyrinth Aquarium in LA Times

The LA Times featured some more outrageous pricey gift ideas in the Brand X blog today. For more extremely opulent fish tanks visit the store site opulentitems.com.

To: The person who has everything.

From: The person with really deep pockets.

If a fishbowl is akin to a shack and the traditional aquarium is a house, then the Labyrinth Aquarium is like the sprawling Spelling Mansion. If a fish doesn't like the scene in one Lucite acrylic aquarium bowl, it has several others to choose from.

$5,500 without table and $6,500 with table; www.opulentitems.com
-- Alexandra Le Tellier

Image courtesy OpulentItems.com

Brand X blog

opulentitems.com

Kat Geiger Repurposed Light Fixture Terrariums

Thanks to apartmenttherapy.com for sharing the latest and greatest new installment in Kat Geiger's terrarium repotroire. Light fixtures repurposed as terrariums with a great wardian case/ steam punk vibe. We had a porch light just like the one above at the house in which I grew up.

Kat Geiger Light Fixture Terrariums at apartmenttherapy.com

Aquascaping: Aquarium meets terrarium in the LA Times

Imagine my delight to open the Sunday LA Times yesterday and to find THIS ARTICLE! I have seen photos of these aquascapes on the internet but have never really thought of them as terrarium gardening until now! The article covers many of the ups and downs of this challenging craft as well as information on the international design competition for aquascapes. Pretty neat stuff.

His aquariums borrow ideas from Japanese flower arranging, Zen rock arrangements and the idea of wabi-sabi -- that imperfect is beautiful. "It is important the tank doesn't look too symmetrical," Steven Lo said. "There is a lack of dynamic tension."

Aquascaping: Aquarium meets terrarium in the Japanese-inspired design practice in the LA Times

Terrariums on Mars: LATimes

The LA Times had an article exploring the menu planning for a multi-year space trip- complete with a terrarium-hydroponic system for growing greens. The goal is a sustainable and lightweight food supply for trips to Mars in the next few decades. While people can survive on canned mac and cheese and freeze dried pork chops I bet some nice crunchy lettuce would be a welcome snack up in space.

In the meantime, scientists are weighing the pros and cons of supplementing packaged meals with fresh fruits and vegetables. NASA first grew plants in space in the 1960s, and a team at Kennedy Space Center in Florida has been developing a domed chamber in which astronauts could raise crops like lettuce, tomatoes, carrots and green onions hydroponically.

"That would really add to the quality of life and acceptability of the diet," said Ray Wheeler, the plant physiologist in charge of the project.

The Mars Menu at the LA Times

Lilly Pond at Huntington Gardens

The oldest garden on the property at the Huntington Library is the lilly ponds: a lush interconnected trail of small waterfalls, lily pads and all sorts of creatures.

If I should ever run into a large amount of money I would like to have a pond- with lots of koi fish and plants in it. I would buy a row boat and read in it, floating around on the pond all day long.

Lilly Ponds at the Huntington Library