Growing plant in a composting terrarium

Question

I was thinking about throwing compostable rubbish into a jar and growing a plant in it while the jar lead is closed as a terrarium before the composting proceeds—and then leave it as it is. I am not sure how much this idea is achievable but here this brings me a few questions that I cannot easily find on google:

• Is this idea functional?
• Can a plant grow in a composting pile before the composting is finished, with a little soil? Does composting damage the root of the plant growing on top of the compost?
• Can composting happen in a closed jar?
• Will the oxygen used by the compost, and the oxygen created by the plant/moss, balance each other?

Answer 1

"A pile of compostable rubbish" is not "composting". A proper compost pile will kill most living plant material simply because it is too hot. The interior of a working compost pile can reach 50C or 120F.

Composting is an aerobic process, so it won't work in a closed jar. You will just produce a stinky rotten mess.

Answer 2

1. This is not composting* - it will not kill pathogens and weeds, it will smell awfully due to ammonia release, it will not attract proper decomposing organisms like bacteria or warms.

2. I do it all the time. But I can't wear it works - wait 10 years and come back.

3. It is acidic. Try to grow something that loves acid shuch as Jalapeño or lilium.

_{* - it would help to mix in a carbon source such as ash, embers, straw}