I have a very small 1.5 gallon aquarium i'd like to do something garden related with. Any ideas? I was wondering if a small cacti garden would be out of the question?

I would not use cactus they would not need the extra humidity that would be created in an aquarium.

I was planning to leave the lid off so all humidity won't be too much of a problem, i hope lol. I'll stay away from the cacti. Maybe some really nice moss. I just wish i knew something good to do with the aquarium. Thank you very much!

Look into a club moss, a very small orchid ie: Masdevallia, or some sundews.... Or a miniature mushroom farm.

You can make a really lovely little terrarium out of an old aquarium. Mostly the plants you'd want to use in there would be small tropicals, because the enclosure will make it higher humidity - unless you fill it almost to the top so the plants are more exposed to air circulation. Whenever you water, it will take longer to dry, and there will be no drainage, except the stones you'll put in the bottom.

The nurseries at the big box stores have a nice selection of little tropical plants that would do well in a small terrarium like that.

I Googled "how to make a terrarium" and several of the articles talk about using cactus and succlents but I've seen friends get in trouble with trying to keep them dry enough. I think it's easier to make it a moist environment, and use little tropicals, moss and ferns and tiny ivy for example. There are articles about using tropicals and a moist environment, too.
http://inhabitat.com/diy-how-t...

Awesome tips everyone. Looks like i'm gonna make a terrarium. Now to research haha!! Thank you so much everyone!!!

Absolutely! Lots of things you can grow in a terrarium... but cactus and succulents, not so much (been there, tried that ) . Although, actually, mine was more of a closed environment; it could be that planting cactus/succulents in an open aquarium, using a suitable potting mix and being careful about not overwatering, would be completely successful. If those are the types of plants you would like to grow, I would give it a try...

To be honest i'd love to have a small moon cactus garden, i love the little guys but always have bad luck with them. One day that will change, oh the possibilities!!! :D

Just a thought, but how about a diorama, a small bonsai tree, and a Japanese garden motif. I'm sure that if you went to a modeling site (not fashion ) they might have some ideas for you.

I love that idea!!! I have always wanted a bonsai and i do want it to be something eye catching. Great mind you have Paul!!!!! I'm exckted about it.

Look for a Frosty Fern (Selaginella kraussiana). Great 'bonsai' for 1 1/2 gallons.

Don't get me started on Moon cactus.

Daisy

Right on Daisy, thanks for the suggestion. :D Lol, moon cactus are about the most interesting looking cacti around.

Ah-Oh! Now you got me started...

They are leeches, vampires and Frankenstein's monster all rolled into one. A blood sucking (sap sucking?) abomination against nature. More grumbling.

Okay. Done.

I find the parasitic/symbiotic nature of them fascinating.

Oh. You are one of THOSE...

BTW no symbiotic relationship going on here.

What do you mean, "one of those"? I find a scientific curiosity along with just pure general love for plants equally. I like to study and research.

Daisy, if you wouldn't mind, would you teach me about what you know? I like to learn, really.

Just teasing.

I too love plants (most of them - not crazy about poison oak) and I am fascinated with the whole Moon Cactus thing. History: the first one was found in a collection in Japan in the early 1940's. So not a crime against nature but a natural sport that someone recognized and took advantage of. All the 'parent' plants are grafted onto Hylocereus (think Dragon Fruit). The offsets are 'plucked' from their Mommies and grafted onto their own Hylocereus recipients.

The Hylo fails in just a couple years as the Moon Cactus (Gymnocalycium mihanovichii) is completely dependent on the Hylo for everything. The Hylo's growing tip has been replaced by the Gymno - only the Gymno is able to grow so it quickly out-eats its host.

That is why I said all those horrible things about Moon Cactus. I have one. It was a gift from a well-meaning friend. I still like her.

Can we be friends now? Please?

Daisy

One person's abomination is another person's treasure!

That's awesome Daisy!! So fascinating. Definitely fun learning about all the different plants. And true Sandy B., i have Chameleon plant growing in my yard and i'm the only one who appreciates its smell lol.