How to Grow Plants in Wine Bottles
- 1). Wash the wine bottle with soap. Rinse the bottle out several times to make sure no soap residue remains.
- 2). Pour 1/2 to 1 inch of gravel into the bottle. This allows for adequate water drainage, as wine bottles do not have drainage holes at the bottom.
- 3). Pour about 5 to 6 inches of a well-drained potting soil into the bottle.
- 4). Make holes in the soil for each plant using terrarium tools. These have small rakes, shovels and hoes on the end of long, thin handles. Dig the hole as deep and as round as the plant roots. Make sure to leave space between the holes to allow for plant growth.
- 5). Remove the plants from their original containers. If there is too much soil around the plant roots, gently remove the excess with your fingers. Do not damage the roots.
- 6). Place a plant into the bottle, root side down. Using your tools, work the roots into one of the holes. Push soil around it and into the hole, but not over the original soil line. Use your terrarium hoe to push down onto the soil around the plant. This will remove any air bubbles and stabilize the plant. Repeat this process for each plant.
- 7). Water your wine bottle plants with about 3 or 4 oz. Only water about once a month after that. The soil will stay moist for a long time because of the greenhouse effect in the wine bottle. Always leave the bottle open at the top to allow air to the plants. Fertilizer is not needed as it will make the plants grow too fast.
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