A Bio-Diorama is a phrase that I have coined. It refers to a project that blends both the aspects of a diorama and a terrarium. Typically it is a diorama scene with plants or other life forms added to it. The important thing is that the plants or other living things have to be an integral and important part of the story that the diorama tells.

In this bio diorama we see a group of adventurers who have traveled through some kind of a mysterious gate and into an alien world. And what better plants could you pick than the venus fly trap?

Here is a look at the gate and how I made it. The whole base of it is just a piece of foam that I carved to look like a rocky platform. I painted it with some basic terrain colors then applied a little bit of terrain textures to it. Sand would work well for this.

The Gate is simply three pieces of balsa wood glued together and painted. And the gold inside the gate is just a piece of gold origami paper.

And the miniature figures you see in the picture above are just some Ral Partha miniatures that I had painted years ago. they are a group of adventurers.

The Biological component of this biorama (The Fly Traps)

As in every biorama the most important part is the living things! They have to take priority over everything else and everything must be done to insure their safety and well being! And venus fly traps can be difficult to care. But if you just know a few simple rules you can be very successful with them. I will give you an overview here of what I did. But if you are interested in venus fly traps I do have a complete tutorial on caring for them and it includes a youtube video that I made All About Venus Fly Traps

The fly traps need lots of light so I have to get them as much sunlight as possible by placing them in a good spot. And they need lots of moist terrain. This is why I have pebbles in this dish. This lower section can be full of water. It simulates the bogs where fly traps are raised.

The Soil: There is no soil for venus fly traps. Normal potting soil will kill them. So, you make a 50/50 mix of Sphagnum Peat Moss and Perlite and use that as the soil. (Be sure to get perlite and peat moss with no added fertilizers or chemicals.

So, I placed the pebbles, then I placed the gate, then I put in the layer 50/50 mix that I made. From there you can just poke holes in the mixture and transplant the venus fly traps then water liberally.

finally I carefully filled up all the groundspace with the lichen.

From here it is a matter of taking care of the venus fly traps. Give them lots of sunlight, feed them regularly and keep it all moist!

MORE OF MY BIO DIORAMAS

This is a living diorama with caterpillars and butterflies.StaIt is an interesting idea where part of the diorama is alive! In the case of this one our adventurer is lost in a cave and stumbles upon some enormous cocoons. They are real butterfly cocoons. The Bio Diorama Project

Jack and the Beanstalk bio diorama It has a real beanstalk and I show you how to make one. I also sculpted the miniature Jack and miniature giant: Jack and the Beanstalk Diorama

Venus Fly Trap Plant - CARNIVOROUS -Dionaea - 2 pot

Nature provides this remarkable plant with "traps" to lure and capture it's food. The traps are covered inside by tiny hairs and a sticky sweet smelling substance attractive to insects. When an insect touches the trigger hair, the trap is activated and closes around it's victim. After digestion of it's meal (whick takes several days), the trap will open again for a new catch. Keep moist at all times, rainwater or distilled water are preferred. Plants should not be fertilized (so therefore should be separated from your other plants). The insects it catches provide natural nourishment. Select a sunny window for your Venus Flytrap. In replanting only use sphagnum! Peat moss will do in a pinch. Put a plastic saucer underneath the plant to hold water and keep it's humidity proper but do not stand in a dish of water. You will receive: 1 Green Venus Fly Trap growing in a 2" pot.

Large Venus Fly Trap Plant - CARNIVOROUS-Dionaea-3 pot

Carnivorous Venus Fly Trap Mini Terrarium - Live Plant

You will receive plastic egg terrarium (3 1/2" x 2 1/2"), planted with a live Venus Fly Trap, spaghnum moss, planting and care instructions.

The Savage Garden: Cultivating Carnivorous Plants - In addition to the familiar Venus flytrap, there are several hundred species of carnivorous plants on our planet. Most can be grown in the amateur gardener's backyard or even in a window box. Full-color photos show the plants at work and at rest and tell you everything you need to successfully grow your own--little garden of horrors. Full-color throughout.

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