This is about 3 months old. Layered with rocks, netting, soil from the backyard (MA), and whatever the springtails came in (coconut coir possibly), then moss from the backyard. I left some gaps in the moss layer because I wasn’t sure if it was bad to cover the springtails.
I’m not sure if these white spots on the moss are eggs or mold, but there does seem to be mold on the log. About a month ago, one of the succulents died. The other 2 look ok. My partner has watered it a few times since we made it. I think it’s been overwatered, but I’m not sure. Maybe we need more springtails? Different soil? More light? It’s on a table 3 feet from a big northwest window. I’ve also seen several types of bugs that I did not mean to put in here. It’s sealed with a cork.
I see in the group rules it talks about how people often screw up terrariums with succulents. This is my very first terrarium. Is this a lost cause? Should I replace the succulents with something else? Is it doomed to be a mold filled mess and I should clean out the jar and start fresh?
by Greedy_Database696
3 Comments
Hey Greedy_Database696
Did you know succulents have adapted to grow and thrive in areas with limited water sources, dry periods, and bright direct light? Most terrarium spaces are the exact opposite of that which can cause terrariums to fail! If it’s your first terrarium don’t fret, we have a list of resources to help you build a successful and happy terrarium!
Have you checked out our [resource page](https://www.reddit.com/r/terrariums/wiki/index/resources/)?
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Yes, unfortunately the succulents will have to go. Since you watered a sealed terrarium a few times in 3 months it’s most likely overwatered. Even for other plants than succulents. Closed terrariums can go months without watering. A springtail colony needs time to grow. Maybe there aren’t enough in there to tackle the amount of mold. It’s possible the problem fixes itself with some time. You can also remove mold with oxygen peroxide. But that’s mist likely only a temporary fix.
You should definitely replace the succulents with something else. I’ve seen others on here make succulents work, but only with basically no soil (which holds moisture) – mostly sand and rocks. Seeing how green your moss is tells me conditions are too wet for succs, and I can tell by the lower leaves of the succulent in the last picture that it’s experiencing rot.