Create a Mini Rainforest!
05.02.14
Chris Collins’ first challenge on Blue Peter was to create a mini rainforest – a mini rainforest in captivity!
Chris says, ‘You can create your very own mini rainforest in an old fish tank. First, line the bottom of the tank with gravel and then create an undulating terrain with moist potting compost. Plant it up with small houseplants available at your local garden center. Many houseplants have their origins in tropical rainforests. You can top dress the soil with moss if you wish.
Keep the soil moist and spray the foliage with water mist every day. Put your mini rainforest somewhere out of direct sunlight and watch it grow! I’ve got mine in pride of place in my living room!
Chris’s top plant choices are:
- Prayer plant (Maranta) It folds up its leaves at night like praying hands!
- Black pepper plant (Piper)
- Calathera (has lovely patterned leaves)
- Club moss (Selaginella)
- Ferns
- Orchids