Our minds were blown when we read about David Latimer’s fifty-six-year-old terranium! In 1960, Mr. Latimer used a wire to lower a spiderworts seedling into a large, round bottle containing compost. He poured in a pint of water and sealed the bottle tightly, placing it in a sunny corner of his home. Little did he know, his simple experiment would flourish into a self-sustained miniature ecosystem that would survive without water and fresh air for decades!
Mr. Latimer has only watered his bottled garden once in 1972, and since then it has continued to grow prosperously into a lavish green time capsule. Just as fascinating is that he has never pruned his plant; it has simply learned to grow within the extent of the bottle. The only necessary work he must do is to turn the bottle around occasionally to expose the plant’s foliage to equal amounts of sunlight.
If you’re wondering how this concealed plant was able to survive for such a long time, the answer is simple: photosynthesis! Through the glass, the bottled plant is still able to absorb sunlight and photosynthesize. In the process, the plant releases oxygen and moisture, which creates condensation in the bottle that acts as rain to provide water for the plant. Fallen leaves at the bottom of the bottle decompose and release essential carbon dioxide in the process. During the night, the plant supplements itself through cellular respiration by breaking down any stored nutrients. This is a healthy, ongoing cycle that is likely to keep this plant alive for many more decades!
It’s inspiring to see how Mr. Latimer was able to create a replica of earth and keep it alive for more than half a century by relying only on sunlight. Projects like these remind us how amazing our planet is, which has sustained its many ecosystems for millions of years. Mr. Latimer wishes to pass his experiment to his children, and is fascinated to see how much longer it can last.
Do you have your own terranium? How long has it lasted? Let us know in the comments!
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[Source: dailymail.co.uk, mymodernmet.com]
