How to Build a Terrarium Ecosystem: A complete Tutorial

Introduction to How to Build a Terrarium Ecosystem

In this article we try to cover various aspects of how to build a terrarium ecosystem, such as creating the drainage layer, selecting the substrate mix, choosing suitable moss and plants, and the materials needed and the importance of proper drainage and substrate and also how to arrange hardscape elements and plant various species in the terrarium.

Well before jump in to the article let’s know what is a terrarium?

What is a terrarium, you may wonder? Well, it’s a very cool thing in the world of gardening and aesthetics. A terrarium is like a small, self-contained natural world surrounded by glass. Think of this as a mini ecosystem on your tabletop.

Selecting an Appropriate Container

• Choose a container that is easy to work with and allows materials to be easily placed inside.
• Avoid containers with tight narrow openings as they can make the process more challenging.
• Glass bottles with long tweezers or micro terrariums can be used but require more effort and maintenance.
• Consider using budget-friendly options like glass spice jars or drinking glasses with clear acrylic discs as lids.
• Larger containers with lids are recommended for beginners.

Creating the Drainage Layer

• Use lightweight expanded clay aggregate (Leca), regular gravel, pebbles, or lava rocks as options for the drainage layer.
• The drainage layer prevents excess water retention and root rot.
• Spread out the lava rocks evenly at a depth of about 1.5 cm (1/10th of the jar’s height).
• Place a piece of window screen mesh on top of the drainage layer to prevent substrate from falling into it.
• The drainage layer consists of stones or rocks placed at the bottom of the terrarium to allow excess water to collect.
• Options for drainage materials include pea gravel, leca (light expanded clay aggregate), or small stones found outside.
• Ensure that the drainage layer is about 2 to 3 centimeters thick.

Adding a Substrate Barrier

• Place a window screen mesh on top of the drainage layer to prevent substrate from falling through.
• Cut the mesh to fit the container using scissors or consider using weed blocker fabric as an alternative.

Creating the Substrate Mix

• The presenter uses their usual mix for successful terrariums.
• The mix includes cocoa fiber brick, sphagnum moss, activated charcoal, and orchid bark chips in specific ratios.
  • Measure one part cocoa fiber using any size cup as reference. For example, one cup of cocoa fiber equals one part.
  • Adjust other ingredients accordingly based on ratios provided by the presenter.

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The components of a perfect terrarium substrate and their ratios. It emphasizes the importance of moisture retention, resistance to compression, nutrient content, and good drainage.

Terrarium Substrate Components

• The ideal terrarium substrate consists of peat moss, orchid bark, charcoal, and worm castings in specific ratios.
  • Peat moss: 50%
  • Orchid bark: 25%
  • Charcoal: 25%
  • Worm castings: a quarter part
• These components come together to create a substrate that meets all the necessary characteristics for a quality terrarium substrate.

Adding Substrate to the Terrarium

• Pour a generous amount of substrate into the terrarium using a cup.
• Gently pat down the substrate with the back of your hand to create a slope towards the back of the terrarium.
• Ensure that the substrate barrier effectively prevents it from getting into the drainage layer.

Hardscape Options

• Dragonstone is popular for its aesthetic appeal.
• Lava rock comes in black and red varieties and is widely used.
• Cereal stone creates contrast with green moss and plants.
• Granite pebbles add texture and detail inexpensively.
• Spyderwood can transform hardscapes dramatically.
• Driftwood complements rocks and stones.
• Cork bark is budget-friendly and looks great in terrariums.

Selected Hardscape Materials

• Spiderwood and slate stone are chosen for this build.
• The gray color of slate stone will contrast nicely with the brown wood.
• Take time to experiment with different layouts and structures to find a pleasing arrangement.

Moss Options

• Fern Moss provides a deep foresty look but can grow leggy in low light conditions.
• Cushion Moss is vibrant green, slow-growing, requiring less maintenance.
• Mood Moss is similar to Cushion Moss but grows faster.

Preparing Cushion Moss

• Comb through the moss to remove sticks and twigs.
• Gently tear the moss into smaller chunks using hands.
• Cut off the base of the moss without harming it.
  • The base section can be used as a substitute for sphagnum moss in a substrate mix.
• Use long tweezers to plant the prepared moss inside the terrarium.
  • Press down gently onto the substrate to aid moisture absorption.

Planting Process

• Start planting with mini Bolbitis, an aquatic plant that thrives in an emerged state within closed terrariums.
• Place fern species behind the rocks for background planting.
• Use cushion moss to cover the mid-ground and foreground, pressing it firmly into place.
• Certain types of moss may not thrive well in enclosed spaces, so choose accordingly.
• Planting Process
• Small cuttings of different plants, including Friendship plant, Fittonia green, Bolbitis, and Pellionia repens.
• They make holes in the moss-covered soil using a skewer and plant the tiny cuttings. These plants are easy to grow and will root quickly.
• A cutting of Selaginella is placed in the middle of a V formation of rocks, with another cutting at the bottom for emphasis. The Pellionia cutting is planted alongside it.
• Tiny Bolbitis plants are planted on both sides of the hardscape to complete the planting.
• A small twig is used to create interest in the foreground and lead the viewer’s eyes to the focal point. Lighter-colored lava rocks are selectively placed on the moss for further detailing and texture.
• The terrarium is given a final round of misting and glass cleaning.
• Springtails, beneficial insects that help prevent mold and clean up dead matter, are added to the terrarium by tapping them from a piece of charcoal

Springtails

• Springtails are small organisms that eat mold or decaying matter found in terrariums.
• They process it and provide fertilizer for plants by excreting it.
• The plants and moss in return provide sufficient oxygen for springtails to survive.
• Springtails can be found in reptile and amphibian shops or online.

Watering

• Use a small misting bottle to give a light spray down to the entire terrarium.
  • Avoid overwatering; stop watering before you think it has enough water.
  • It’s better to underwater than overwater a terrarium.
• The substrate should be damp, not wet or soggy, due to the sealed lid of the terrarium.
• As the jar has a seal on the lid, very little moisture will be able to leave, so watering is infrequent.
• In most cases, this terrarium won’t need watering for at least a year.

This section provides options for lighting and care practices for maintaining a healthy terrarium.

Lighting and Care

• Use a display LED light that can be turned on for 12 hours and off for 12 hours. This provides a reliable light source year-round.
• Alternatively, place the terrarium in a bright spot with indirect sunlight.
• Avoid dirеct sun еxposurе.
• Opеn thе tеrrarium еvеry onе to two wееks to lеt frеsh air in and chеck its ovеrall condition.

Conclusion

Finally, tеrrarium sеtup rеquirеs consistеnt artificial lighting for optimal rеsults, to achiеvе bеst rеsults, it nееds to bе placеd undеr an artificial light sourcе with a consistеnt photo pеriod. Building a tеrrarium is a bеautiful blеnd of art and sciеncе. So, gathеr your baggagе, unlеash your crеativity, and еmbark on your journеy to majеstic sеlf-rеalization, bringing a rеspеctablе soul-accumulating natural surprisе on top of your tablеtop.

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