Q&A: Can You Identify Mystery Weblike Substance?

Reader Christina shares some photos of a white web like substance appearing in her terrarium. I am not familiar with this particular affliction but I share in hopes that someone else might have experience with this fungus or insect problem.  The best course of action for a mystery fungus is removal of the afflicted areas.  If the problem persists, you may need to empty out your terrarium and try building it again with new plants and soil.

Christina says "I've been noticing a strange white almost weblike thing growing on the branch points of some of my plants. The plants seem to be growing well but I was just wondering if you would happen to know what it is and how I can fix it. I've just been trimming it off hoping it goes away. I haven't had any problems with bugs in it so I don't think it's a nest of any kind. I've attached some pictures of the 2 plants that seem to be affected. My terrarium has quite a large opening at the top that I never cover and it gets a good amount of sunlight."

Q and A: Can I Collect Moss in the Summer?

Whew, the heat is on here in Texas.  It is this type of heat that makes me want to dream of moss blanketing a cool forest floor. My question for today comes from reader Isabella:

Question: Can I collect the mosses in summer time from the forest?

Answer: I respond with a question again, does the moss you want to harvest look to be in peak health? If the moss in your area looks dry or dormant in the summer, you may want to skip collection until cooler months. You'll want to collect moss that is healthy, green, and thriving. In my experience, it can be challenging enough to transplant healthy moss harvested from the wild into a terrarium environment.  The moss receives a transplant shock from getting uprooted, it might dry out before you plant it, and it might be full of bugs or mold that might infest your terrarium (wash your moss!).  You may set yourself up for failure if you collect dry or dormant moss in summer months.

How to Make a Terrarium Last

I want to be honest with you about how long you can expect your terrarium to last and thrive.  Many blogs show fast and easy terrarium crafts in tiny glass vessels and bubbles, but they rarely show you what a tiny terrarium will look like after three months.  Probably dried out or moldy.  Tiny terrariums are cute if you think of them as a cut flower arrangement.  But part of the thrill of building terrariums is chasing the lasting terrarium, which sometimes means restarting, trying new combinations of plants, soil, and containers - until the ecosystem clicks and then plants thrive.  My longest-lasting terrarium was built in a wine jug and lasted about three years.  It looked a lot like the photo above from thedebrief.uk. Note the deep moss roots, and appearance of algae type stuff in the bottom layers of the soil. This is what a slice of the outdoors looks like under glass!

Secrets to a Long-Lasting Terrarium

1. Use a large enough glass container. A general equation seems to be, the larger the container, the better the chance the terrarium has to thrive.
2. Use an adequate amount of soil. If plants are to grow, they will need some space.
3. Use healthy plants and moss that have been inspected for insects and washed if needed. Select plants that have similar light and water requirements (e.g. woodsy ferns with moss, succulents with cacti.) See 19 of the most popular terrarium plants.
4. Keep up with terrarium maintenance! This includes managing water and temperature levels (e.g. water occasionally and don't leave it in full sun all day).  You might need to put a lid on your terrarium occasionally to help keep water in the system.  You might need to remove dead leaves or scrub the sides of the container of algae fuzz.
5. If all else fails, try again. Don't be afraid to restart your terrarium if mold takes over, plants die, or insects infest.  Shake it all out, scrub out the container with water and a bit of bleach, and try again when it is dry.  Fresh plants and soil!

How long has your healthiest terrarium lasted? 53 years?

Top Terrarium Plants: Begonias

Begonias make wonderful terrarium plants, as long as you can find a variety that will remain compact enough to fit your terrarium.  If you are unsure of how large your begonia will become - just plan on maintaining a pruning strategy.  And of course - have a game plan for removing dead flowers or foliage.  Are your terrarium tools in order?


Advancegreenhouses.com suggests begonias as one of their top five terrarium plants.  The author points out:

"Begonias are a diverse group of tropical flowers that love humid and moist conditions, and some of them prefer low light as well. They’ll even flower many months out of the year, making them valuable additions to terrarium gardeners. Choose types like Rhizomatous begonias or dwarf Rex begonias. Rex begonias can be a bit finicky about their air circulation, so experiment with propping the lid open to adjust to satisfactory levels. Strawberry begonias absolutely thrive in terrariums–you can’t go wrong with these!"

Be sure to visit their site for the other four top terrarium plants.  Have you grown a begonia in a terrarium?  Tell us about it!

Q and A: Soil and Sand Ratios for Terrariums

Thanks to reader Heather for these questions.

Question: 


I am writing with two easy questions:

1) What is the soil/sand ratio for most terrariums? You have mentioned two different ratios so I want to be sure.

In most you say it's 2:1 soil to sand. However, in the "Operation Diagnose" area (the most recent one on your pages) you say 1:1.

2) Is Miracle Gro's basic potting soil ok to use? One of the ingredients is peat moss and I know you warned against it in Operation Diagnose. However, I know some plants do well in it; I used it with the last terrarium (first I've made), and it did ok until I killed it with spray fertilizer after about a year.

I hope you can help me - I am making a 10 gal terrarium for work (bio labs) and want to do it right.

Answer:

As your terrarium is on the larger size I think a ratio of 2 parts soil to 1 part sand will work best.  The sand speeds up drainage in smaller terrariums but since you are working with a larger quantity of "stuff" (and probably larger plants), 2 parts soil will probably provide more nutrients for a longer amount of time.

Potting soil mix should work fine.  The peat moss retains moisture - which works great for a potted plant that might not get watered as frequently but can contribute to problems in smaller terrariums.  As long as you have the one part sand in there it should all balance out.  I'd also stress to build a large drainage level with pebbles and charcoal.  I'd make it at least an inch deep or more in a 10 gal terrarium- it'll help give water space to "breathe" at the bottom of your contained environment and should prevent root rot from standing water, etc.

Q & A: How to Clean Preserved Moss in a Floral Arrangement

This question from reader Allison was a bit out of my realm of experience, but I was able to locate some helpful resources.

Question: "I am trying to find someone who can tell me the best way to clean dried moss or straw on a flower arrangement? I have a couple favorite flower arrangements from my mom who recently passed and I am worried they have "something" in them, How do you dust spaghnum moss or straw that is on the base of a silk plant?"

Answer:

1.  Use a scissor to remove any obviously moldy or mildewed pieces of moss or straw.  In my experience, mold is difficult to "slow down" so removal might be your best bet.  Perhaps you could clip out the worst pieces and replace them with new dried florist moss?

 

2. Attempt to dust the dried moss by blasting it with air.  You can try a compressed air duster (sold at office supply or computer stores - for cleaning computer keyboards).  If you use one of these they typically have a nozzle for pinpointing the blast.  Another suggestion I saw was to use a hair dryer on the cool or gentle level.  Be sure to wear protective eye gear!  You don't blow that stuff in your eyes!

3. Your arrangements sound very special and from a preservation standpoint, you may want to contact a professional for advice on how to best store and maintain them in future years.  A craft store or florist that works with dried flower arrangements may have ideas for how to spruce up the arrangements or treat them for continued preservation.

Here are some resources that might help:

E-how: Clean Dried Flowers

Yahoo Voices: Care and Storage of Dried Flowers

Q&A: Is it OK to steal plants?

Nature's original bandit might not care if you steal a sprig or two of plants.

Thanks to my sister Alyssa for pointing out this relevant advice column article.  I have been known to sneak a bit of a plant that is easy to propagate from a common area... is it wrong?

"Q: My wife and I love plants. While walking through our local shopping center, we noticed a particular plant that we both liked and decided to get it for our patio. We visited two local garden centers; neither had the plant. My wife thought she could grow it from cuttings, so we went back and took about three or four cuttings from one of the many plants that were scattered around the shopping center. The plant was not hurt or damaged in any manner or form, but my gut instinct told me that this was wrong. Was it?"

A: See the answer at the NYTimes

Q & A: Mold on Terrarium Walls

Photo from forums.gardenweb.com

Here is a question I answered on the terrarium forum of gardenweb.com.

Q: Have a terrarium with a fern, would be about 2 months old & have noticed spots of mould on the glass.  Has anyone else had this problem?  The walls are covered in condensation even though I air it out at least once a week.
A: If the opening of your terrarium is narrow you may need to let it air out more frequently than once a week. I also see that you have a layer of sphagnum moss over the soil - this may contribute to trapping more moisture in the terrarium than is desirable. I would suggest removing it.

Q & A Update: Ant Invasion Reversed

Photo by Natalie K.

You may recall reader Natalie sharing a plea for advice on how to best deal with an infestation of ants in a large succulent terrarium.  I am happy to report that Nat has reported apparent success with some of the treatments that you, fellow readers, suggested.  Awesome!

"Thank you for your help with my ant infestation for my desert terrarium! A good soaking and light application of a pesticide got rid of them! The terrarium is now outside on the sunny days which my succulents are enjoying a lot!"

Q & A: Ants in Terrarium

Image from Wikipedia Commons, by Fir0002/Flagstaffotos

I've never had the misfortune to find ants in a terrarium - let alone an entire colony moving in!  Does anyone have any ideas for Natalie K.:

"I have a 2.5 gallon desert terrarium that sits on my window sill It has a screentop lid to keep the humidity low and allow an extra light to sit on top. Ants have moved in though and are nesting in the soil. I don't know how long they've been there but I just noticed them moving pupae in. I dumped a bunch of water in(there's a layer of marbles and moss to allow drainage) and that seems to have scattered them out for now. How do I get them out for good??? Short of dumping the entire thing and starting over?"

See the solution to the ants in a terrarium.

Moss Monday: Oak Leaf Terrarium

"Oak Leaf Terrarium," from bonsaiterrarium.com

Can You Combat Terrarium Mold With Diluted Hydrogen Peroxide?

I'd like to say this is a Q & A feature but I only have the "question" part and I'm looking for your answers.  As you may or may not know, I strongly recommend washing moss before putting it in your terrarium.  It gets rid of foreign contaminants that may be in the soil or the moss and, in my experience, minimizes the chances of mold developing in the terrarium-ensconced moss.  When mold appeared - I would remove the affected moss/plants/soil and if it became rampant - I'd start the terrarium over again.

Recently someone suggested that diluted hydrogen peroxide can also be used to eliminate mold on soil. Has anyone tried this before?  Any tips or tricks for approaching mold removal with hydrogen peroxide?  Or any other solutions for removing mold?

Q & A: Can I use spanish moss instead of sphagnum moss in my terrarium?

Image courtesy of http://www.orchidsandtropicals.com/

This week I received an excellent question in my post "How to Make a Terrarium: Adding Soil Layers."

Question: Can dried spanish moss be used in lieu of the spaghnum moss as a filter?

Answer: Sphagnum or peat moss is a commonly used element in gardening and container gardening but I have never seen spanish mossed used in the same capacities (i.e. to line a hanging wire flower basket).  I did some research online and found an ehow article that may help us.  The author points out that while sphagnum moss is a great water absorber, spanish moss is actually an air plant in the tillandsia family and will not act the same way when used in gardening.

I'll paraphrase some of the key points here:

"Spanish moss is home to small insects and other organism. Spanish moss requires treatment or sterilization before use.... Because sphagnum moss grows in highly acidic waters, peat moss is usually germ free.  Because of its water-retaining ability and lack of most pathogens, it is ideal for seed-starting mixes or use as a soil amendment.  Spanish moss, does not incorporate easily into soil, but does act as an effective mulch, especially for indoor potted plants."

Read more: Spanish Moss Vs. Peat Moss

The idea of the Spanish moss potentially containing contaminants makes me hesitant to suggest using it as a terrarium soil layer.  You'll want to minimize the inclusion of any mold or germs in your terrarium.

Wardian Case for Cheap

This 8"x 13" x 7" Wardian case type terrarium vessel can be yours for less than $40 through Target.  Just don't try to search for it using the words "wardian case."  Target is calling this baby a "Glass Cloche Terrarium."  I was under the impression that cloche meant bell.  Anyhoo - it is a steal and a great option for your terrarium-mad friend who might need a good container like this for putting plants in quarantine before putting them in terrariums.

Choosing the Best Plants for a Terrarium Ornament

I always receive some questions about making terrarium ornaments during the weeks that lead up to the holidays.  Terrarium ornaments make wonderful gifts, conversation pieces or even tree decorations.  However - it is a small vessel in which to build a terrarium environment.  How can you ensure your precious project won't be a dud in a matter of days?  

The best advice would really be dependent on:

•  the type of ornament vessel you are using (does it have a hole in it or is it sealed?)
• Do you intend for the plants in your terrarium ornament to last beyond a couple of weeks?

If you are using the typical empty ornament that unscrews at the top and then results in a sealed environment - your best bet is to use an air plant or a succulent with a very small amount of soil.  The succulent is not going to be happy in the ornament environment indefinitely.  Read more about using an air plant for a terrarium ornament in my earlier post. 

If you are looking for a terrarium ornament to last you beyond the holidays - consider springing for a hanging terrarium vessel like the one pictured above, available from CB2.  This larger vessel would allow you to add more soil and the proper drainage layers, and the air hole would allow a plant to grow and extend beyond the dimensions of the container over time.  You could even select a plant that would fully utilize the air hole, such as a string of pearls succulent (photo from Inner Gardens).

Moss Monday: Mold on Moss (Q & A)

Thanks to reader Kelly for her question on the post Prevention and Dealing with Pests, Fungus and Disease in Terrariums.

Question: My terrariums lately have grown a type of fungus and even tiny mushrooms. Will this kill my irish moss? Is there anything that can be done to "clean" the moss? Or is this harmless?

Answer: I do not think mushrooms could kill your moss but if the fungus is web-looking you may be facing trouble. You may try removing the fungus or mushrooms with tweezers or chopsticks to clean it out. Next time you build a terrarium you may want to wash the moss first and watch it for a few days before putting it in your terrarium.

To recap my general advice to prevent or at least minimize the chance of mold or pests appearing in a terrarium:


1.) Rinse all containers with a bleach/water mix before planting (with a day or two to dry out).

2.) Wash newly harvested moss and look for pests or unwanted plants in the chunks.

3.) Quarantine new plant specimens in a "holding tank" for a period of time so you can observe their behavior and adaptation to the terrarium environment.

Have you had problems with fungus or mold in your moss terraria?

Why You Should Use Distilled Water in Your Terrarium

Q: Does distilled water have significant advantages over boiled and cooled water?

A: Using distilled water in your terrarium reduces the accumulation of mineral build-up in your environment. If you choose to water your terrarium with tap water or boiled tap water, you may see a crust of mineral deposit form in your soil or on the walls of your terrarium vessel over time.  If you know your tap water is particularly hard or soft - I would recommend using distilled water in your terrarium as much as possible. 

Moss Monday: What to do with dried sphagnum moss?

Here's a question from Beth, the Fern & Mossery blog comments this week:

Q: I don't know anything about moss. I ordered some live sphagnum moss from Amazon and it came dried in a plastic bag. I'm not sure what I should do with it. Do I need to soak it in water? And what should I plant it in? I'm confused!

A: Sphagnum moss is a common material used for gardening and making terrariums.  Gardeners use it to line hanging basket frames, pad topiary frames and even mix it into soil.  I recommend using soaked sphagnum moss as a filter layer between the soil and charcoal layers in a terrarium (read more about how to add soil and other layers to a terrarium).

In some cases, dried craft or garden sphagnum moss can be revived into a green, thriving moss.  You can read my tips for reviving dried sphagnum moss - but I don't recommend this difficult method as a primary means of gaining live moss for use in the planted area of a terrarium.  Instead, look for some healthy, living moss elsewhere.  Try the shady side of buildings, in sidewalk cracks or in potted plants.  And don't forget to wash your moss!

Q&A: Insect Infestation

An insect infestation can be the bane of a terrarium ecosystem.  While an errant earthworm, ant or snail may not do severe damage an entire host of winged insects can spoil your tiny garden.  Here's another Q & A about this common problem.

Question: I recently made a moss terrarium with live moss bought from Idaho. After a week or two after I placed everything in my glass jar, I noticed very small white mite looking insects crawling on the glass. I researched for hours and couldn't find anything pictures of the insects. They don't jump or fly, and seemed to be in the hundreds crawling on the glass. I tried putting a cottonball soaked in pesticide in the closed terrarium for a week plus. I didn't see the bugs again. I bleached the terrarium, put new substrate in and within 2 weeks the white tiny mite looking bugs were back. I threw everything out in fear the bugs were crawling in my house and not being able to identify them was scary to say the least. I just went back to my homestate of Illinois and went moss hunting so I can try once again. I'm going to go through all your steps and quarantine the pieces to see if anything happens. Have you had this problem before? Do you have any advice on how to treat them if I do have another problem? Thanks so much!

Answer: I believe that washing your moss and observing it under quarantine should prevent the insect infestation from taking place again.  I would recommend observing the moss for two weeks in quarantine just in case the insects are taking that long to hatch or mature.  Two weeks is a long time to quarantine moss so make sure to not over/under water or let it suffocate in a poorly ventilated container.

If the insects are not native to your moss - I can imagine two other potential problems:

• Your soil may be contaminated if you are not using fresh, bagged potting soil.  There are methods to "sterilize" soil by baking it on a cookie sheet in an oven at low temps.  It may be something to consider trying and here are some further instructions at Tipnut.  

• If you fear that the insects may enter your terrarium from elsewhere in your house (another houseplant perhaps)?  You may want to lid your terrarium for 80% of the time or consider rubber banding a piece of gauze or cheesecloth over the opening of your terrarium to prevent insect colonization.  

Round Acrylic Lids for Terrariums

Kitty-view aquarium

Oh, the myriad applications of acrylic!  How can it help your terrarium?  Last week during "Operation Diagnose" we discussed the idea of keeping a lid on open terrariums for about 80% of the time to retain moisture.

Plastic Circles by TAP Plastics

Reader Amanda drew my attention to a TAP Plastics product - laser cut acrylic circles, which would be an unobtrusive way to add a lid to nearly any sized open terrarium.  The circles range from 2"- 24" diameter and $.75 - $35 in price.

If you have some time to kill, I encourage you to also explore the TAP Projects page to see the creative projects people have completed with TAP products and services.  There are some interesting aquarium projects that might have terrarium-type applications, like the above image of the kitty view-dome aquarium.

66" long acrylic tank aquarium