With terrariums, you can grow plants without the mess of traditional gardening. Some terrariums are closed. You might wonder how do terrariums get oxygen and air in the closed jar. A little science is all it takes to make this happen.
How Do Closed Terrariums Get Oxygen?
In terrariums, plants continuously recycle air to obtain oxygen. Terrariums are also called mini rainforests or succulent gardens. By exchanging air with soil and water, they get oxygen. A photosynthesis reaction produces oxygen, and a respiration reaction produces carbon dioxide.
The purpose of stolons is to extend into the soil and exert pressure there. The stolen absorbs dissolved nutrients and moisture from the earth below.
They bring this material to the surface. It can enter the surrounding environment through leaf pores (or other openings).
Due to this, your closed terrarium’s oxygen levels remain constant. Your plants will stay healthy and happy while you are away. Keeping plants in a closed terrarium requires plenty of oxygen during the growing process.
Closed terrariums do, however, require periodic ventilation to maintain oxygen levels. Oxygen levels can drop too low, causing a condition known as anoxia. In anoxia, plants lack oxygen and can die.
How Do Terrarium Plants Get Air?
Terrarium plants get air by using a process called transpiration. Plant plants expel water through their leaves to obtain oxygen to sustain growth and promote healing.
Furthermore, it ensures the soil contains the necessary minerals and water for the plant. Flowering and seedling germination needs to have a humid environment in terrariums.
Plants in terrariums also get air by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. A similar process, called photosynthesis, is what allows plants to grow.
You can help promote this natural exchange of gases by adding a few drops of water daily to your terrarium.
Terrarium plants don’t just get air from the outside but from the humidity inside. Humidity keeps the soil moist and bacteria-free, essential for plant growth.
Additionally, terrariums are natural incubators and can be used to grow plants. A closed terrarium provides a stable environment for growing new plants.
The humid climate allows fungal spores to germinate and grow. Terrariums can also help propagate a limited number of plants.
Open terrariums, however, tend to lose oxygen over time without regular ventilation. For healthy plant growth, ensure your terrariums receive enough oxygen since oxygen is a powerful antioxidant.
How Do Closed Terrariums Stay Alive?
A closed terrarium gets oxygen from transpiring water and photosynthesis. Also, transpiration oxygenates the air within the terrarium. The following process explains how closed terrariums remain alive.
- Source of oxygen:
In terrariums, water is the primary source of oxygen. There must be enough water in every closed terrarium to allow plants to transpire, which oxygenates the air.
- Transpiration:
The water in plants helps them absorb oxygen from the air around them. The process of exchanging gases and getting rid of moisture is known as transpiration.
- Photosynthesis:
Terrarium plants use photosynthesis to convert sunlight into food-transforming molecules like glucose, carbon dioxide, oxygen, and nitrogen.
- Source of food:
Terrariums get their food from the soil and decaying matter in their enclosures. Additionally, the plants themselves can provide some nutrition for terrariums. Bacteria and fungi break down the complex organic matter in the leaves as they fall into the soil.
- Humidity:
Photosynthesis is dependent on the humidity inside terrariums. Terrestrial plants obtain oxygen primarily from water and sunlight. In terrariums, however, humidity provides oxygen to the plants.
- Nutritional supplements:
Other factors can affect the oxygen levels in terrariums, such as temperature, light, and air pressure. The oxygen levels in terrariums are usually pretty stable, and they can get plenty of oxygen from their water, soil, and lights.
Does the Terrarium Need Ventilation?
Ventilation is not needed in closed terrariums. The closed terrariums do not require outside air for oxygen because the humidity in the atmosphere provides their oxygen source. Closed terrariums do not require ventilation for the following reasons:
- Each terrarium has its ecosystem:
A terrarium ecosystem is self-sustaining and does not require outside air to get oxygen. Light and air cannot enter closed terrariums outside, so oxygen levels are stable.
- Plants create enough humidity and heat:
It is enough to maintain oxygen levels in terrariums due to the humidity and heat generated by the plants. A closed terrarium would require more watering if it had any ventilation. Terrariums serve no purpose if they are crowded with animals.
- Terrarium seals naturally:
Airtight enclosures ensure that no air can enter from outside. As a result, they do not require any additional ventilation. Having outside light enter the system would help the delicate ecosystem thrive.
However, open terrariums require ventilation. In open terrariums, plants get oxygen from the outside air to photosynthesize. Ventilation is essential for maintaining a healthy environment in an open terrarium. It is also essential to remove bad odors. The following are some reasons why open terrariums need ventilation:
- Plants don’t create enough humidity:
Open terrariums are less humid than closed terrariums so oxygen levels may decline over time. During summer, open terrariums become hot and sweaty, reducing oxygen levels.
- Air and light entering from outside disturb the ecosystem:
An open terrarium receives light and air from the outside. Destabilizing or even destroying their delicate ecosystems. Plants require adequate ventilation to absorb this energy.
- Open terrariums get oxygen from the outside:
Through ventilation, open terrariums get oxygen from the outside air. There is no internal ecosystem in them. Therefore, open terrariums require proper ventilation.
To Conclude
Briefly, closed terrariums do not require ventilation. The plant survives without any outside air. The plants that they contain provide them with oxygen. The enclosed terrarium has its ecosystem, supplying oxygen and nutrients.