Is Craft Aroid or Molly's Aroid Mix good?
I'm trying to find soil for a closed terrarium and came across these brands. Is there a "better" one?
#terrarium #tropicalplants
#terrarium #tropicalplants
4
If you want to go with one of those I would use the Craft Aroid mix it's got really good ingredients. I would Avoid the Mollys because it has clay and both silt and clay you want to avoid because they get 'muddy'. You don't want that!
I did delve a bit deeper out of curiosity. But I would still stick with the Craft Aroid because there is nothing you need to avoid. But I also would like to recommend amending it with some perlite I would guesstimate around 30%, or extra pumice or bark. Some people say it does not drain well. That will contribute to mold growth in your terrarium. And possibly root rot. Since they hold moisture so long amending it will be very beneficial. I always recommend perlite because it is light and cheap. Whatever you use you want to be sure it has plenty of aeration at least 50%. That aeration will keep your plants healthy and happy. ❤️
I did delve a bit deeper out of curiosity. But I would still stick with the Craft Aroid because there is nothing you need to avoid. But I also would like to recommend amending it with some perlite I would guesstimate around 30%, or extra pumice or bark. Some people say it does not drain well. That will contribute to mold growth in your terrarium. And possibly root rot. Since they hold moisture so long amending it will be very beneficial. I always recommend perlite because it is light and cheap. Whatever you use you want to be sure it has plenty of aeration at least 50%. That aeration will keep your plants healthy and happy. ❤️
@SuperbRaspfern I have some charcoal and rocks for the terrarium. Will this be enough drainage, or should I still use perlite?
If you mix it into the soil then yes. Also don't forget the drainage layer it is quite helpful.
Just remember you want light and fluffy for your soil. You can always take a cup of your soil and put it in a fine strainer water it and check it that way before putting it in. That way you can get a feel for it easier. If you can squeeze a ton of water out of it it's much too heavy. A little water retention is fine. But sometimes it's easier to get a feel for the soil you're using outside of the terrarium first. That way if it's too heavy and sticks together in clumps when squeezed you can add more aeration. You want a crumbly texture after watering.
Hopefully that makes sense. If not let me know and I'll try to explain a bit better. ❤️
You can be creative with your aeration. It's in the soil to create tiny air pockets. It doesn't do anything but that it helps water to drain better so you don't get waterlogged soil which is REALLY bad for any plant, but even worse in a terrarium since the humidity locks in moisture. It also greatly benefits the plants by allowing oxygen to reach the roots and prevent bacteria growth.
Just remember you want light and fluffy for your soil. You can always take a cup of your soil and put it in a fine strainer water it and check it that way before putting it in. That way you can get a feel for it easier. If you can squeeze a ton of water out of it it's much too heavy. A little water retention is fine. But sometimes it's easier to get a feel for the soil you're using outside of the terrarium first. That way if it's too heavy and sticks together in clumps when squeezed you can add more aeration. You want a crumbly texture after watering.
Hopefully that makes sense. If not let me know and I'll try to explain a bit better. ❤️
You can be creative with your aeration. It's in the soil to create tiny air pockets. It doesn't do anything but that it helps water to drain better so you don't get waterlogged soil which is REALLY bad for any plant, but even worse in a terrarium since the humidity locks in moisture. It also greatly benefits the plants by allowing oxygen to reach the roots and prevent bacteria growth.