FAQ
What is a PAPERUS Bottle Garden?
A PAPERUS Bottle Garden is a terrarium consisting of all the vital elements that plants need to survive in a relatively self-sustaining eco-system. Thus, very simple and minimal care is needed to sustain and maintain the foliage in your bottled garden.
During photosynthesis, plants utilise the energy of the sunlight to manufacture carbohydrates (nutrients/ “food”) from carbon dioxide and water, with the help of a green pigment called chlorophyll. In the process, oxygen is released.
In respiration, this process is reversed. Without light, carbohydrates are oxidized to release energy, producing carbon dioxide and water required by the plant during photosynthesis.
As a result of these two processes (Photosynthesis and Respiration), the elements in your PAPERUS Bottle Garden are recycled and maintained in a self-sustaining equilibrium.
Your PAPERUS Bottle Garden is low in maintenance.
But that does not mean NO maintenance!
Whilst your PAPERUS Bottle Garden is relatively maintenance free, it does need occasional care. Show your PAPERUS Bottled Garden you care in 5 easy steps.
Placement of your PAPERUS Bottle Garden
The placement of your PAPERUS Bottle Garden is crucial. It should be placed at a well-lit location away from direct sunlight. Direct sunlight could potentially result in algae growth, overgrowing plants and excessive heat in the garden.
On the other hand, do not place your PAPERUS Bottle Garden in a dark location. Without light and photosynthesis, your plants could become etiolated, affecting the overall health and beauty of your bottled garden.
Maintaining the symmetry of your PAPERUS Bottle Garden
To maintain the symmetry of the plants in your PAPERUS Bottle Garden, turn its position occasionally. This will prevent the plants in the bottle from all growing towards one side.
Remove dead leaves
Remove dead leaf/leaves from your PAPERUS Bottle Garden as they can decompose and release harmful toxin into the system.
Prune overgrown plants
Prune the plants in your PAPERUS Bottle Garden should they grow too big for the container. Due to the closed system of your bottled garden, this will unlikely happen any time soon.
Maintaining the water balance
It is simple and important to maintain the water balance in your PAPERUS Bottle Garden.
When your PAPERUS Bottle Garden is in water equilibrium, condensation will occur on the side away from the light source, with some clear areas without condensation at all.
Do NOT water your PAPERUS Bottle Garden when it is in water equilibrium.
If there is too much water in the system, for example, when the entire glass is heavy with condensation, simply remove the lid and keep the PAPERUS Bottle Garden opened for a day or two, then close it back.
On the other hand, if there is little or no condensation at all throughout the day, add a tablespoon of water then check again the next morning. Never add more than one tablespoon of water at any one time as over-watering can affect the water balance.
The temperature of the room will affect the humidity in the PAPERUS Bottle Garden. Hence, when you first bring your PAPERUS Bottle Garden into your home or office, check the water balance in your PAPERUS Bottle Garden simply by observing the condensation on the glass. Expect more condensation in air-conditioned rooms. Similarly, expect more condensation in the mornings and in the evenings.
As long as there is condensation on the glass with some clear areas without condensation, your PAPERUS Bottle Garden is in water equilibrium.
Five easy steps in maintaining your living Eden
- Place your PAPERUS Bottle Garden in a well-lit location away from direct sunlight.
- Rotate your PAPERUS Bottle Garden to maintain its growth symmetry.
- Remove dead leaf/leaves.
- Prune overgrown plants.
- Maintain the water balance by checking the glass surface for adequate condensation.