when I first made this terrarium in October, some mold came up but it went away after I removed some. but now I think the mold is taking over again after like 10 months? there is mold everywhere and some of the bottom plants are dying but the tallest ferns are okay. What should I do in this situation?
by SerenityFlakes
5 Comments
Someone’s gonna comment the obvious “springtails?” So let’s start there haha
Springtails?
This one might not be saveable, some tips for preventing mold 100% are
1- dunk wood in and out of hot facuet water multiple times until when you dunk it no dirt no debree falls off this will help prevent any mold from entering ur terrarium in the first place
2- clean plant charcoal chunks, if you have a fireplace or are able to burn some wood or plants the chuncks of burned charcholed wood or plant fiber is a great thing to add to terraiums it helps filter the water and kills mold
3- springtails, they eat the mold I think
Get some springtails, they will absolutely devour the mold
I would start again at this point. In future, yes to springtails!
Alternatively, pick up a bottle of hydrogen peroxide. I don’t know where you are, but in Australia, you can buy it at the chemist (drug store for you Americans!). Dilute it with water, and you can pour it into the terrarium. It reacts and bubbles up on the mould, but doesn’t hurt the plants – even moss and ferns, I’ve done this myself. You want to let it air out aswell. Keep the lid off until the mould is gone. You might need to dose it a few times, and wipe off what you can. Eventually with diligence, sun, and air flow, you can conquer mould, and keep your plants. 😊
But the other posters are right. Research suitable materials and beneficial insects. Prevention is better (and less heartbreaking) than cure!