Designing beautiful miniature gardens in crystals bowls is not just a hobby for Merlin, who is a homemaker. She has turned her hobby into a successful business venture that earns her a decent income every month. The spatial limitation of her home in Mattamakkal, near Ernakulam railway station didn’t deter Merlin from making terrariums and paludariums for her customers.

Her love for plants and greenery didn’t start after she married Anoop and came to his house in Ernakulam. Her family in Thiruvalla were farmers and reared cows, goats and chickens. So, caring for plants and animals have always been Merlin’s favourite hobby. 

Merlin, an engineering graduate was curious when she learned about growing fish and plants together at the aquaponics unit started by her brother in Dubai. She then built a tank herself using cement, thermocol and glass sheets on both sides at her house in Ernakulam. She grew ornamental fish and plants in that glass tank and used the water from the aquaponics to water other plants. She decided to build terrariums when she noticed that her indoor plants were thriving.

The Covid outbreak in 2020 presented her the best opportunity to test her skills. Merlin made her first terrarium when her daughter had to build one for a school project. The miniature garden was made using the plants that grew in her own garden. However, some of the plants used in it weren’t suitable for a terrarium and got dried soon. Although the terrarium wasn’t a success, Merlin learned a few valuable lessons from the experiment. 

Merlin tried to rely on science when it came to choosing the plants for the terrarium. Indoor plants like fittonia, spider plant, air plant, cactus, tiny ferns and succulent plants that do not grow too much in size are perfect for terrariums. Moss that is grown on the compound wall was used to decorate the top layer of the mixture that is added in the terrarium.

The guests who visited the family were charmed by these little gardens that beautifully adorned the spaces. Some of them even bought the terrariums from Merlin. She began sharing the pictures of her terrariums on her social media page when the guests began urging her to turn her passion into a business. Merlin who takes tuitions online started selling terrariums for additional income. She made customised terrariums that suited the layout of the customers’ homes. 

Although covered terrariums are difficult to make than partially opened ones, maintenance is easier once the terrarium starts functioning properly. Spotting moisture droplets on the glass walls of the closed terrariums indicate that they are functioning alright. The tiny plants that are self-sufficient could survive without water if the terrarium is placed in a spot that gets enough sunlight. You could open the glass lid once in a month to let in fresh air. Besides, more water could be added if you notice the moisture droplets disappearing on the glass wall.

As the mixture in which the plants are planted is visible from outside, you could replenish it with water when the moisture drops disappears. Most plants including fittonia should be watered only at the base and not on the leaves. Air plants are suitable for partially opened terrariums as water could be gently sprayed on their leaves.

Moss used for decorating the outer layer of the terrarium mixture too require minimal watering. Terracotta balls or tiny pebbles are paved as the base before adding a layer of net, the mixture and then the plants. The excess water would be collected at the bottom if this method is adopted. 

Merlin says that time and patience are required to maintain terrariums and aquariums properly. She was then keen to study about paludarium that combines the features of a terrarium and an aquarium. Compared to a terrarium, paludarium requires minimal maintenance as they are designed with miniature rain forest and streams. Ornamental fish could be grown in the small pond inside a paludarium.

The size of the paludarium depends upon the spot where it is placed inside the house. The glass walls that are required to build the paludarium is prepared by Merlin herself. Rock pieces and drift wood in specific size, shape and measurement are purchased from aquarium shops. Good quality laterite stones are brought from her house in Thiruvalla. Plants that grow in water and land are used in paludarium. Meanwhile, the plants that are arranged at the back are grown in the kokedama style to exude a forest like vibe. These plants require minimal watering and are easy to maintain.

Rabbits, ornamental fishes like carp, shark, gold fish and tetra and colourful birds like pineapple conure and love birds are grown by Merlin at her house. She keeps her beloved ornamental birds on the terrace. Meanwhile, the conure birds that are extremely friendly are adored by Merlin’s kids. They are often allowed to fly around freely inside the house. Merlin who is committed to sustainability uses the waste water from the fish tank and rainwater to water the plants in the garden. Phone - 9895154090