Garden in glass jar

Trees in a large glass jar are still growing normally even though their owners have sealed their vials for more than 40 years.

David Latimer - a former electrical engineer in Cranleigh Village, Surrey County, England - started planting jasmine saplings in a large glass jar in 1960. After watering for the second time in 1972, he decided to seal vial and place it under the stairs, near a window so that the tree can catch natural light. Although not being cared for and watered, the plants in the jar continue to grow to this day, BNPS reported.

Former electrical engineer David Latimer only irrigated trees twice since 1960 until now. (Photo: BNPS)

"I never trimmed or trimmed the plants in the jar and it seems they couldn't grow any more," the 80-year-old said.

Although isolated from the outside world, the plants in the glass jar created a miniature ecosystem. Photosynthesis is normal because the plant still receives light. Plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) and produce oxygen (O ₂ ), water vapor. When the amount of water vapor in the vial is large enough, they will turn into "rain" and fall down to attract it.

Old leaves fall to the bottom of the jar. Their decomposition process provides CO ₂ - the gas that plants need to photosynthesize - and nutrients.

Latimer's miniature garden is below the stairs
near the window in his house. (Photo: BNPS)

Agricultural experts knew of Latimer's unique garden after he sent the photo to it to BBC radio. Chris Beardshaw, a garden designer and TV presenter in the UK, says Latimer's garden is a great proof of the cycle of life.

"The miraculous ability of plants is the reason why the US Aerospace Agency wants to bring plants to space to absorb pollutants in the International Space Station," Beardshaw commented.