Day 033: Visitor / Green spaces

Today we are super happy again at Bobola to introduce our 4th professional visitor. Alex Fabuel is an energetic creator working with spaces and furniture. Alex comes from Spain and nature has always played an important role in his life. He is extremely passionate about plants and greenery and is doing amazing green terrariums in his free time. He is been very kind to share some ideas, tips, inspiration and guidelines with us today. 

Alex surrounded by greenery © Alex Fabuel 2020

A crazy plant lover, Alex Fabuel, is a Spanish plant dad living in the vibrant city of Malmö in the South of Sweden. He spent most of his childhood helping out his family vineyards in La Mancha region. His parents have always inspired him and shared their knowledge and passion towards nature. Now he works as an Art Director for a Swedish furniture company. Far from his family greenlands, Alex still enjoys growing plants — but indoors. His most loved green companions are the ones he grows from pits, seeds and cuttings.

Find more plant pictures and tutorials on his Instagram
@afabuel

We at Bobola asked three key questions from Alex. 

“I am inspired by looking around on my daily life, traveling and following other creatives on social media“ 

“In the future I would like to work more with greenery - inspiring people to bring nature into their homes. I believe that plants help people feel healthier both mentally and physically. ” 

“Most important thing to me is to feel well with myself and people around me. And yeah, my plants at home :) “

Closed green terrarium by Alex 2020 © Alex Fabuel

Alex is sharing some great tips with us today to start your own green space. Have you ever been to a tropical greenhouse? How is the atmosphere like, very spatial and fresh right? The daylight sifts through the plants in a magical way. We just wonder how is the spatial experience in jungle like? Alex is sharing guidelines to do an open terrarium, but once you have tackled this challenge you are more than happy to try a closed one as well. Those are so amazing! Visit Alex’s Instagram for more tips, instructions and examples. The closed terrariums are like small ecosystems.

Remember that once doing the activity with small children it is better to stick with succulents that are not spiky. This is a fun activity for any age too! Let your creativity flow and enjoy the green day! Take care and enjoy.

Green dreams © Alex Fabuel 2020

How to make a fabulous open terrarium?

Succulents are amazing, they require very low maintenance and they can live both indoor and outdoor. They enjoy bright indirect sunlight and moderately water.

What you need:

-a shallow bowl, it can be glass or other material
-pebbles for drainage
-succulent or cactus soil
-active charcoal
-decorative stones
-a mix of succulents and cactus
-a spoon and a stick

Green terrarium in making 2020 © Alex Fabuel

Step 1: make a layer of pebbles to allow excess of water to drain. I have used volcanic pebbles but you can use any other type.

Step 2: add a couple of spoons of active charcoals in the middle. Activated charcoal absorbs certain toxins and reduces odors.

Step 3: lay the cactus soil on the bowl. About 2-3 fingers deep. If you have chosen a glass bowl use some decorative stones as well on the sides to highlight the beauty of layers.

Step 4: Let’s plant the succulents. You can remove some excessive soil around the roots. If you are also using cactuses look at the tip on the picture to use a chopstick to plant in a non spiky way!

Step 5: add more soil with the help of a spoon. Tap the soil firmly (but not too hard) around the plants. I have used a wine cork to access the smaller gaps.

Step 6: done! You can use a layer of decorative stones to make the plants pop up.

Remember to place you terrarium in a light spot. Succulents need little water and can survive long periods of drought. Water them once every 10-15 days, making sure the soil has dried out each time. I use a spoonful of water to each plant, around the base. Be careful not to leave any water lying on the leaves.

It’s done, place it in a light spot! © Alex Fabuel 2020

Next challenges is the closed green terrarium. Check Alex’s Instagram for more information © Alex Fabuel 2020

© Alex Fabuel 2020

Dear followers we want to remind you that parents assume all responsibility for the safety of their children in these activities.

♥ - Team Bobola -