How to make a small moss terrarium

Hello, this is Moss Para.
Today, I made a small moss terrarium.
I will introduce how to make it.

First is the jar. Anything is fine, but if it is completely airtight, the humidity will become too high, which can cause the moss and plants to wither or grow mold.
Let's use a container that allows for a little bit of airflow.
It is also useful to have tweezers, a thin stick to press down the moss (disposable chopsticks can also be used as a substitute), a water dropper, a spray bottle, a brush, a tray to place the moss and plants on, a spoon, and a bowl for water.
It is fine if they are not all specialized tools.
You can get them at 100-yen shops and similar places.

When you are using a spray bottle, water tends to accumulate.
To prevent the accumulated water from rotting, spread something called base sand at the bottom.
It is easier to add if you have a spoon.

For the base sand, I am using Moss Connect's base sand.

Next, I will add soil called 'soil'.
This is 'soil that is easy to plant moss in' that I received from Huggy, a moss terrarium creator.
We are in contact, and I received it as a sample.
It is actually fluffy and is indeed soil that is easy to plant moss in.

Click here for Huggy's online shop.

I will use a brush to level the soil.
If you create a slight slope, it will give a sense of depth.

I will add driftwood and stones.
If you plant moss and plants along the driftwood and stones, some moss and plants will grow creeping along them.
Plagiomnium acutum and Ficus pumila 'Minima' grow by creeping along stones and driftwood.

Add water with a watering can to set the layout.
Once water is added, it becomes difficult to move the driftwood and stones, so decide on their placement before pouring the water.
Pouring water to firm up the soil makes it easier to plant the moss.

This time, we will use a plant called "Ivy Tiny Bush".

This is a small type of ivy commonly sold at gardening shops and home centers.

We will now remove the ivy from its pot.
In a bowl filled with water, gently loosen the roots to remove them from the pot and wash away the soil, being careful not to damage the plant.

Now, let's plant the ivy.
Use tweezers to hold the stem and plant it.
I think planting it towards the back of the terrarium creates a nice sense of perspective.

Next, we will plant the moss.
The mosses we will use this time are:
The tall "Leucobryum juniperum"
The uniquely shaped "Bazzania trilobata"
And the short "Leucobryum glaucum"
We will be using these.

Sometimes there is soil attached to the root part of the moss.
In this case, go ahead and trim off the roots.
Moss roots are called 'rhizoids' and are not used for absorbing nutrients.
They simply grow to anchor the moss in place.
Even if you trim them off, they will grow back.

Hold the root part of the moss with tweezers, and just like when you planted the ivy,
insert it into the soil.
At that time, planting taller moss in the back and shorter moss in the front will create a sense of depth.

It is easier to plant the moss if you hold it down with a pressing rod (micro spatula) while pulling out the tweezers.
The process of planting moss is a world of 'nothingness.' It might be close to a state of mindfulness or meditation.

A small terrarium using Ivy Tiny Bush is finished.
It takes about 30 minutes.
There is a time during moss terrarium creation where you can clear your mind, such as when thinking about the layout or aligning the direction of the plants and moss.

This time, I wrote this for those who are making a moss terrarium for the first time.
Moss is sold at specialty shops, and it has become possible to see it at home centers and pet shops as well.
I would appreciate it if you could look at past articles for management methods and the like.

Open the lid for about 5 minutes every day for ventilation, and spray with water once a week.
At that time, please make sure that the soil is thoroughly moistened.

The place to put the moss terrarium is a bright place that is not in direct sunlight.
Room lighting is sufficient, but it is also fine if you use a dedicated light or lamp.

I hope to continue conveying the charm of moss terrariums.
This was Moss Para.