Moss Terrariums: Moss and Bugs, in your home, cheap!

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Hobbies, Crafts, & Houses > Moss Terrariums: Moss and Bugs, in your home, cheap!

mrfart: May 26, 2004; Dear diary, today I
became a captain.

Thanks for making this thread. Looks super cool. My dad is into making sculptures with small driftwood and I guess his materials could be a good basis for one of these.

What happens when you don�t use the little jumping critters? Do you get a lot of dead plant material?

# ¿ Feb 25, 2024 00:59

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# ¿ May 20, 2024 23:59

mrfart: May 26, 2004; Dear diary, today I
became a captain.

So I think I found a nice jar. But it doesn�t have a lid. What do you think is best to replace it? Just some clingfilm or a small plate or something?

# ¿ Mar 6, 2024 12:05

mrfart: May 26, 2004; Dear diary, today I
became a captain.

Fishstick posted:

Clingfilm works as a temp lid. You often see corks used but I'm not a fan of corks in these jars because of mildew issues and the fact that they block light.

I get glass lids looking for things like glass serving trays, glass plates, cheese/pie covers, ashtray bases, glass coasters, etc. Sometimes you just have to get lucky of having Things Fitting Into Things.

Also: Belgian or Dutch? Can't tell if that's a GVA paper

Haha, well spotted. Belgian, yes. They used the paper at the thrift store.

# ¿ Mar 6, 2024 16:00

mrfart: May 26, 2004; Dear diary, today I
became a captain.

Some free top tier advice:
When collecting moss, check if it doesn�t contain a colony of fire ants.

Ouch

# ¿ Mar 14, 2024 15:22

mrfart: May 26, 2004; Dear diary, today I
became a captain.

Sorry, the correct term is �European red wood ant�

# ¿ Mar 14, 2024 16:03

mrfart: May 26, 2004; Dear diary, today I
became a captain.

My wife got me this book:

looks nice.

I'm still trying to make closed terrariums. I just don't have anything yet i would like anyone else to see.
Going to a rough time with dad in the hospital. When I came back from the visit to the ICU, I noticed the concrete on the parking lot had some really nice moss growing on it (that they were gonna remove soon anyway), so I took some. I hope I can do something with it.

# ¿ Mar 26, 2024 01:23

mrfart: May 26, 2004; Dear diary, today I
became a captain.

In working on one for my dad who�s very sick. The wood is something he found a long time ago on a beach and thanks to goons was identified as a piece of a certain wwII weapon.
I�m worried the plants against the glass might get into trouble? Or is that ok? I think I used a bit too much.
Still didn�t find any of these fungi eating critters. Fishsticks, if you buy them anywhere near Mechelen in Belgium, please let me know:) thanks.

# ¿ Mar 27, 2024 09:20

mrfart: May 26, 2004; Dear diary, today I
became a captain.

Fishstick posted:

Love it, the plants should be fine - I have fittonias stuck to glass and they don't care. Might even get a bit crowded after a while!

Amfibia for sure has them as feeder bugs, depending on where you are in Mechelen I can bring you a box from my farm sometime, I work near the trainstation.

Wow, I live 10 minute walk from the station (one of the reasons we moved here).
Let me know if you want to have a weird insect trading goon meet by the station in one of the caf�s there or something.
But I could also drive to amfibia in the weekend (they're not open during the week? But they have an insect vending machine, haha), if it's a hassle to transport bugs.

# ¿ Mar 27, 2024 11:18

mrfart: May 26, 2004; Dear diary, today I
became a captain.

uguu posted:

What's the difference between these and that jar that was closed off for 50? years and did fine?

And why do Belgians love moss terrariums so much?

I�m as surprised as you are.
Probably the lack of sun/space.

# ¿ Mar 27, 2024 12:47

mrfart: May 26, 2004; Dear diary, today I
became a captain.

Thanks for the springtails, Fishstick.
Hopefully I used enough of them, didn't manages to make them fall off quite as easily. I though you said you flick the clay pebbles on which they hide, and then they fall off?
I probably need practice

Not much changed from my initial attempt. Also not sure if i gave it too much or not enough after before sealing it.
The lit has a small gap, so i used tape to seal it completely. Should i leave a little space?

# ¿ Mar 28, 2024 23:43

mrfart: May 26, 2004; Dear diary, today I
became a captain.

I also filled our old secondhand terrarium with moss and a bunch of other plants now. It used to be our hamster hangout. But hams don't live that long and was a bit too emotionally taxing on my wife.
The thing has a build in humidity meter. I don't know what's ideal for moss? It's not a totally closed terrarium, so I'll have to water it.
Also, is it a good idea to keep springtails in this? Or are they gonna escape and get into the house?

I also tried a new one that I though would be low hanging fruit.But turned out to be very difficult, since that homer is way too big and it fills the entire jar.

# ¿ Apr 6, 2024 10:17

mrfart: May 26, 2004; Dear diary, today I
became a captain.

Looks like a nice store to get plants. The terrariums are �a bit� out of my price range.

You have a point about the terrarium not having enough features, but I forgot to mention that this was just me throwing every plant I got from family etc in there before they withered away. It�s more storage than anything else atm.

# ¿ Apr 6, 2024 13:10

mrfart: May 26, 2004; Dear diary, today I
became a captain.

Fishstick posted:

Shrooms have evolved!

That looks great. How long do you think they'll last?

# ¿ Apr 12, 2024 07:47

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# ¿ May 20, 2024 23:59

mrfart: May 26, 2004; Dear diary, today I
became a captain.

I really have to drive to that thrift store. No way I�m gonna find nice stuff like that here in the city. They usually only have very small jars.

# ¿ Apr 27, 2024 23:06

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