Can Selaginella grow in terrariums?
Selaginella do particularly well in enclosed terrariums where the humidity is elevated. Environment: These plants love warm, humid environments. A terrarium is ideal, but if kept in a pot, try grouping it with other plants, misting regularly or place it on a pebble tray to increase moisture in the air. Succulents and cacti will never survive living in a closed terrarium. They do not care for humidity or moist environments. There are many non-succulent plants that would be unhappy in a terrarium. I learned the hard way that one of the favorites for fairy gardens, creeping thyme, will die in a moist environment.
How do you care for a Selaginella terrarium?
As a houseplant, this species prefers to be kept in low levels of light, and we’ve had the best luck giving it a quick mist-down from time to time in addition to keeping it’s soil moist at all times. In an enclosed terrarium environment, this plant will thrive in high levels of humidity with a fair amount of airflow. If your moss is dry or crispy to the touch, this is a sure sign that your terrarium lacks sufficient water. No Condensation: If there hasn’t been any condensation inside your container for weeks, it may mean the water cycle isn’t active and the terrarium needs a top-up.As terrariums have no drainage hole, pebbles or rocks down the bottom help to prevent the system from building up stagnant moisture in the soil.A closed terrarium ecosystem with an effective water cycle should display some condensation throughout the container at certain points throughout the day. Generally during the morning and midday sun, when temperatures are at their highest. Here, you’ll see some misting up of the glass.Closed terrariums need to be cleaned regularly to prevent the buildup of mold and bacteria . High humidity can sometimes cause root rot problems in plants.
How to plant Selaginella in a terrarium?
Terrarium Set-up: Use a good quality potting mix that includes peat and perlite and no moisture retaining agents or fertilizer supplements. Keep your spike moss in its own pot of soil or plant the entire terrarium with the soil mix. Ensure that your terrarium is well cleaned and disinfected before planting. Carefully remove the moss and rinse it with water. Then, before replanting, treat the terrarium with a diluted mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide to discourage algae regrowth.Make sure to mist well and place your terrarium in an area that receives bright indirect light. Moss grows in shaded forest so we need to try and mimic these conditions so it does need to be kept out of direct sunlight.
How do you care for selaginella Kraussiana?
Grow spike moss in indirect light. It thrives at normal room temperatures but suffers in extreme heat, cold or drafts of hot and cold air. Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy wet and do not allow plants to sit in water. Spike moss requires high humidity to survive. Moss grows on any substrate. Soil helps increase humidity, but it has no nutrient value for moss. As moss has rhizoids, anything it can attach its rhizoids to is a suitable base. It will grow without soil.
How long do plants last in a terrarium?
The plants you choose play a significant role in your terrarium’s longevity. Some plants live longer than others. For instance, succulents can live for several years with proper care, while some tropical plants may only last a few months if not maintained correctly. Terrarium plants should be scaled to the size of the container. As plants grow, prune back those that show signs of overcrowding. Clip and remove dead leaves. Replace dead plants.Clean out dead leaves and general tidy up. Some plants or mosses may have died so you will need to replace them. But hope you can try avoid by monitoring your terrarium and acting on any changes earlier than later. Clean any larger decorative stones if they get green algae.
Why does my moss keep dying in my terrarium?
Water and light are crucial for maintaining the health of moss in your terrarium. Moss needs consistent moisture but can easily suffer from overwatering or underwatering. Similarly, while moss thrives in low light, it still requires some indirect sunlight to photosynthesise. Moss is very hardy and long-lived. However, if it is exposed to wrong conditions for a long period of time, it may lose its visual qualities. The following are some tips on how to keep your moss in optimum condition. Moss loves a humid environment, so you should keep it in closed terrariums rather than open terrariums.Common Causes of Peacock moss Issues This moss prefers its environment to be perpetually moist, akin to its humid natural habitat. Underwatering can dry out the soil, leading to dehydration and foliage damage, while overwatering creates conditions ripe for root rot.