Terrariums from Pistils Nursery on Mississippi
Saturday 22 March 2008 - Filed under Homes + Nurseries + Plants
Pistils Nursery in North Portland sells these amazing terrariums. The first time I went to buy one, I got in a huff because I felt like the person working the counter was all annoyed that she had to hang up on her friend to help me, so I skipped it, and decided they were DEAD TO ME and I’d just make my own, and who needs them anyway? But I am frequently hungover and lazy terribly busy with work and saving the animals, so that hasn’t happened. I’m getting soft on my grudge holding in my old age, so I returned, determined to come away with one, chilly service be damned, because I can be the bigger person. So of course they were all friendly and helpful and generally a pleasure, but I was not going to stop scowling because dammit, I have my principles. And also because they no longer allow you to pet the baby chicks they sell. Something about their well-being or some nonsense.
So I bought my terrarium for $36.50, but you could make your own. Pistils also hosts a terrarium making workshop. At any rate, once you have one, you just mist it with a spray bottle filled with water mixed with a pinch of epsom salts every other day, according to the nice lady I bought mine from.
They also carry a curious collection of what I guess are called Tillandsias, little air plants that look like ocean critters
Tillandsia hanging terrarium, which would make a lovely little hostess gift
I’m kidding! I care very much about the chickens’ well-being.
2008-03-22 » megan
22 March 2008 @ 4:12 pm
Nice writing style. Looking forward to reading more from you.
Chris Moran
23 March 2008 @ 7:00 am
Very nice terrariums. The Tillandsia don’t require any soil at all?
Any idea on what kind of a lifespan they have?
23 March 2008 @ 8:36 am
Nope, no soil required, they absorb water and nutrients through the air. Their roots are purely there to anchor to a host plant, since they are epiphytes in the wild. Some tillandsia varieties die after blooming, but they send off multiple pups that will replace the original plant.
23 March 2008 @ 12:05 pm
Now I know where your mother gets her writing ability!!!!!
Very hip, funny, and informative. When do you sleep????
Ciao,
Jenny
P.S. who did you buy the table from? Kathy????
23 March 2008 @ 1:28 pm
Thanks Jenny! The table came from Carol’s house. I feel like I probably owe you for it, because your yard sale margarita pitcher tradition puts everyone in a generous mood.
31 March 2008 @ 2:41 am
Indeed,it is true, it’s always true. Comments ain’t even necessary.
14 January 2009 @ 12:00 pm
Love this blog!
We want to sell interesting and unusualy terrariums in our store, but we are still perfecting our methods. I came across this post while researching, and was linked from the Terrariums group on Flickr!
11 February 2010 @ 2:00 pm
Very nice Terraniums, lil skepTical on The glass enclosed tillandsias tho since they do Thrive with good air circulation!