More Flower Aquarium

My sister-in-law, who is a fantastic gardener and landscaper, gave me a flower aquarium as a Christmas gift one year (see Flower Aquarium). The flower aquarium is manufactured in Germany, and consists of a round, 7-inch globe with a 2-inch opening at the bottom; a silicone base that is also a flower frog and forms a watertight seal over the opening; and a base that serves as a stand. I have had hours of fun experimenting with this underwater garden.

Following is a gallery of some of my latest creations, and notes about lessons learned – what plant material works best, what to avoid, and any tips and tricks. Most arrangements last for up to a week, but then typically start to turn brown. I've found that it is almost impossible to get rid of all the air, so that bit of oxygen at the top of the globe may be why. Enjoy the gallery (and for more examples, see Flower Aquarium Portfolio).

Spanish Bluebells	Tulip Magnolia
Rhododendron	Iris
Toyon	Aster
Snapdragon	Pittosporum
Violets	Pink Ladies

Lessons Learned:

• Some flowers transpire a lot, and it takes several days for the tiny bubbles to dissipate. This is normal but obscures the view! 
• For some very delicate petals, like iris and aster, the transpiration bubbles raise the petals straight up after a day or two.
• Mix the vinegar and water in advance and let it rest, to get rid of any bubbles that are introduced when you fill the mixing pitcher from the faucet.
• The directions say to keep the flower globe out of direct sunlight. I'm not sure whether this is due to fire danger (like starting one via a magnifying glass), or because it speeds up pigment loss in the petals. 
• The Tulip Magnolia petals discharged a lot of pigment into the water. This makes me wonder whether the petals could be a source of dye (probably a reddish brown, judging by the color of the water, and not the lovely pinkish purple of the petals).
• Submerge the flower in a bowl of water for several minutes to dislodge dirt, and any tiny insects that might be living on the flower. Gently swish back and forth.