Planting Soil & Avoiding Mold || Fern & Syngonium Terrariums

In today’s plant video, terrarium Tuesday I’m lightly going over terrarium substrate basics as well as combating mold in terrariums. Really more like, how to avoid mold in terrariums and on mold on plants in general. I’m technically using a soil-less substrate, but I refer to it as soil and substrate interchangeably throughout the video. Terrariums work best with a light and fluffy planting substrate that retains moisture as well as allows for gas exchange. Oxygen is crucial for root development as it plays an important role in the nitrogen cycle within the soil. Nitrifying aerobic and anerobic bacteria break down different forms of organic matter and release ammonia and nitrogen compounds which then feeds beneficial fungus around and, in the roots, essentially causing root growth and aiding in the uptake of nutrients. If this would be something that people would like a video on, let me know in the comments. I planted these up very simply, some moss and a super dwarf syngonium in one and a pink syngonium with various ferns in the other. I wanted to have two different types of terrariums here to demonstrate basic low maintenance terrariums versus higher maintenance terrarium. Low maintenance or easy terrariums have less plants, and plants that stay smaller. The larger the terrarium, likely the easier it will be to keep growing. There are tons of houseplants and tropical plants that work wonderfully in terrariums, I hope to incorporate some bromeliads, orchids, and some variegated plants into future projects. Some of the best plants that are easy to find include ficus (ficus pumila), peperomias, dwarf ferns, live moss, small bromeliads such as the cryptanthus, synogiums etc. #TerrariumTuesday
Don't forget to check out Tanner from Serpa Designs for the most in-depth and beautiful terriarium videos!
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[@annetteprice]

So glad you mentioned soilless “soil,” that is a new one to me for terrariums. I always used whatever I had around, so that’s a great tip to avoid issues down the road. 🙌

[@TropicalPlantParty]

It gets really complicated, I'm going to elaborate even more on the soil next week. Basically it's best to start to with a soiless mix or almost soiless mix and then allow natural decomposition to occur which over time will create a more true soil. ... that's just with bioactive terrariums, they don't have to be bioactive.

[@sloandaniels9950]

So lovely. Just found you a couple months ago and everyone that loves me knows about you. So appreciate you. Now going back through all your videos.

[@glyndagiles5697]

I love the look of both of these - especially the simplicity of the Syngonium and moss. I'm looking forward to next Tuesday. Thank you!

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Thank you! I surprisingly prefer the simple, single plant option over the other. Not usually how I do things but the clean and crisp appearance is just so tranquil.

[@donnawalters7851]

Thanks Jeff, enjoying the videos on terrariums. Haven't made one in years but you are inspiring me to give it a go again .

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Hi, Donna! They are fun and simple, I think you'll enjoy it. 🙂

[@stacygray9852]

Hi Jeff!! I want to say I LOVE watching your videos!!! Love getting to see all your BEAUTIFUL plants and pets!!! And I love that you make your videos very informative while also making me laugh my Butt off!!! 🤣 Thank you for that!!!

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Well hello! That's so nice of you! Thank you so much, Stacy!

[@tammysjungle7064]

Yay! Another terrarium! I am so enjoying this series!

[@TropicalPlantParty]

I'm so glad! I'm having a blast making them and enjoy it even more knowing others enjoy it as well. 🙂

[@sandyg8794]

Hi Jeff! Your terrariums turned out so pretty! I like the different vessels you used and the idea to use an orb as a top for the open vessel. What a great idea! If you do this, please show us what you used and where you purchased it. It would be nice to have the option of closing off the top vs. an open top. I love this series and can't wait for the next one! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@judymckerrow6720]

I can’t wait to get mine planted, just waiting on a few more things💚🙃

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Takes a bit of time to collect all the materials doesn't it? I've been stocking up for months, just getting things here and there when I can find them.

[@kellym1345]

How you doing hope you going to have a great week stay warm all that good stuff thanks for all the really cool Plant videos really enjoy them I'm going to try some terrariums in the summertime going to have one in my room probably it'll be fun

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Thank you! Hope all is well with you, great! You'll love your summer terrarium!

[@sherryporsch9349]

They turned out great, look beautiful!!

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Thank you, Sherry!

[@jillianleblanc9370]

Just watching one of your video very interested love the plants in the wrong vase very very interested you have a wonderful and blessed day keep up the good work

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Well thank you!

[@twistysunshine]

Super helpful, lots of detailed info. This is a fun series!

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Thank you!

[@sheilacasper2030]

Those look great!

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Thank you!

[@patriciasmith9039]

I have tons of moss growing in my yard...hope I’ll be able to use it in a terrarium...great video...

[@silvieporter8577]

simple and beautiful

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Not how I normally do things! 😅😂 but I look the clean and crisp look with the single plant and moss.

[@silvieporter8577]

Tropical Plant Party yes, very zen l👀king - sometimes less really is more... 😉

[@roseladd6402]

💚Great information!

[@dinglehopperdaydreamer9882]

The terrariums look great, lovely video thank you lovely :) xx

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Thank you! Same to you! 🙂

[@shadesofidaho]

Thanks for sharing all of this Jeff. Really enjoying them Wish I had some thing to plant as a terrarium. Come summer I will keep an eye out for some thing at yard sales thrift stores. I did bring in a lot of moss just before winter hit hard here. I have it laying on perlite in plastic shoe boxes. Maybe I should add some potting mix to it for better growth/i keep a large container of it in the house for winter. Tired of having to thaw it each time I need it. I water it often and so far it is doing well. Would love to put it around the tops of some of my house plants. I just love the look of it.

[@TropicalPlantParty]

😂😅 all my moss is frozen outside so I'm hopeful it will thaw out soon so I can go collect more. Serpadesign here on youtube has a great video on storing moss.

[@shadesofidaho]

@@TropicalPlantParty Will look them up. Thanks.

[@justagirlintheworld6431]

Hi :) I have a lot of terrariums and vivariums and I add springtails which help with mold. I also add isopods as well, mostly because they are kind of adorable, but they also eat the dead matter, etc. Really enjoy your channel and always look forward to you :) :) :)

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Thank you! I have some on their way in the mail! Ordered them 3 weeks ago, don't know what's taking so long! Urgh! I have springtails all over my orchids so I should prob just use those.

[@tmarie1596]

That "button" fern looks like it could be holly fern. So glad I found you though I missed you when I was looking 18 months ago. Now I have reason to restart my old terrariums.

[@jonquiljones]

Thank you for mentioning the unsustainable nature of peat. Earth's ecosystem needs it more than we do! 🌿

[@TropicalPlantParty]

It's a tricky subject so I didn't want to go too deep into it without a lot of facts to back up my thoughts on it. It can be hard to avoid using peat based products these days but the coconut coir is really showing some promising results in trials and it's becoming readily available, so why not at least try it? Right? So many contradictions between articles with sustainablabilty and peat moss, most say it's not sustainable, and numerous say it is. Figure if there isn't certainty then we should try to cut back. However, seems hard to argue with it being bad for the environment. Don't understand why some get so upset about people saying to cut back and stop using it when there's a perfectly good alternative for most of the uses.

[@jonquiljones]

@@TropicalPlantParty Your always careful, thoughtful approach is admirable, Jeff! (I could never be as patient with the comment section as you are. I'd be whacking heads, so to speak. 😉) I hadn't heard that there was pushback on the merits of reducing our peat use, but it doesn't surprise me. The lengths many of us are willing to go to to avoid considering our current predicament make the Nile look like a leak from a small bucket.

[@rickyt3961]

your terrariums look great! I kind of have one 😄 years ago I put a pothos in a large egg shaped vase ; it's been growing ever since. I cut it back from time to time and also use it for propagation. 👍🏾😉

[@TropicalPlantParty]

That's awesome!

[@tamekahill2826]

So pretty thanks you so much for doing them.Im following along.

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Thank you, Tameka!

[@juliadevore9602]

How're you doing Jeff? (: Thank you for bringing up mold within these. These turned out so well! I really want to have moss in mine but it doesnt grow too abundant here haha.

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Hello! I'm doing well, thank you! I hope you are too! Yeah I got lucky with moss this year, usually there isn't much moss in my yard but this fall and winter it's been growing all over my side yard. Otherwise I've always had to order it.

[@janice4512]

I have some glass containers I'm thinking about planting up. Just need to look over my water propagations and convince myself to get on it. 😋 I always worry about moving cuttings to soil. FYI. I've found some interesting glass containers at the thrift shop.

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Oh thrift stores have great glass containers!

[@GerriElder]

Soil is what I've been getting wrong!! Thank you!

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Keeping it clean and fluffy can make a world of difference in these small jars. 🙂

[@chrystalsabin4091]

So pretty, where do you get all these glass containers. You have certainly got my attention. 🍀🌴🍀

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Thank you! I got the apothecary jars from Homegoods and the other one was from Michael's crafts.

[@jasminefrench1223]

I was watching and paying attention but those pretty new birds nest ferns

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Haha! They are very pretty!

[@jenniferpeavey3138]

Loving your Terrarium Tuesday videos! 💚 You mentioned keeping your terrariums in the window of your kitchen. How much light exposure do they receive?

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Thank you! They get about 5 to 6 hours of indirect light

[@GrowingSouth]

Jeff, do you use pool filter sand? Also, watering/spraying with a dilute H2O2 solution helps a lot with rot and mold! :) I love this idea and have GOT to get to home goods or At Home and see what they have!

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Gonna talk about peroxide in another vid, I have some soil flushes and sanitizing to do. Works wonders! Be careful at homegoods! 😂😅

[@heathersplants5708]

💚💚💚

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Thank you heather!

[@jackhagenaars165]

How about a reddish coloured up right branch in the round bowl with one or two tillandsias in it?

[@TropicalPlantParty]

That would look wonderful!

[@roseladd6402]

💚 Nice terriams. I wonder what is the purpose for creating one of these? Just for the beauty?!

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Nothing wrong with that, right?

[@GerriElder]

I have mine do the laundry.

[@roseladd6402]

@@TropicalPlantParty 💗

[@spanner4778]

Did this for free with soil and sticks in the back garden, didn't have any charcoal, how do I prevent mpld.

[@TeedarkAngel]

Hey Jeff, with all the plants I have and have had, I have only done 1 terrarium.... now to fine a nice glass 🤗🤗🤔🤔😏😏... any reason to go shopping

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Haha! Exactly! When you start looking you'll notice all sorts of things you can out some plants in!

[@texadianstitcher]

I bake dirt to help kill any critters who may have hitchhiked along. Usually only for dirt intended for inside only use. Was given 2 xmas cactus...they had spiders, so that got dealt with (hopefully!) Think I need to bring the carnivorous plants in from the garage soon. They've had 3 months to rest, so time to find them a home in the house.

[@TropicalPlantParty]

I was just gettin ready to cut my pitcher plants back and they are starting to flower! Instead of going dormant they think it's spring... now I don't even know what to do with them. 😂😅

[@vampyreist]

can you tell some species name for closed terrariums

[@953orion]

I see what you did there... hahaha! 😎 Thats what she said huh?

[@TropicalPlantParty]

😂😅 I do that often and nobody ever notices! Good eye!

[@953orion]

@@TropicalPlantParty haha!! I thought i saw it and actually had to rewind and pause.play.pause.play.pause.play... till i found it! Lol

[@michaelmccarthy4077]

When are you going to do one with Java Fern? C'mon, you know you want to.

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Ha! I was actually thinking I should swap out the big "tongue fern" with java fern. If I do go ahead try that, i want to get the ones growing in the plastic tubes at the petstore, that way they are already adjusted to growing with the foliage exposed to air. I almost put a crocodile fern in there, and still may make that swap. I do however think the java fern would make more sense since it doesn't get anywhere near as large(vertically) as the crocodile fern.

[@michaelmccarthy4077]

@@TropicalPlantParty my thoughts exactly, the ones in the tube. They don't get large and grow pretty slow, comparative to other plants anyway.

[@kathymacomber4502]

You need terrarium tools😎

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Oh I have them, just don't break them out for small projects.

[@kathymacomber4502]

🤭

[@MediaDefy]

twss :o