Shop Products
Houzz Logo Print
jeffrey_schneider

Using Sheet Moss To Hide Medium in Nepenthes Terrarium

Jeffrey Schneider
14 years ago

Hello!

I have placed sheet moss around the inside and on top of my soil mix (1 part bark and 1 part dried sphagnum moss, charcoal) to make the terrarium more attractive. Nepenthes Sanguinea and Mexican Butterwort.

The soil mix is moist and there is not water sitting on the bottom. Leaving the top slightly ajar.

I'm thinking I may run into problems as the soil mix may not be able to breath?

Thoughts? Does anyone think the sheet moss will rot the soil mixture, roots or hamper the soil mix's "breathing"?

Thanks!

Jeff

Comments (3)

  • terrestrial_man
    14 years ago

    I do not see any problem with the set up you describe. Just what size of bark are you using? If you are concerned about aeration of the mix I would add an inert as a component to the mix. This could be large sized perlite or pumice or even styrafoam chips (packing chips). Since you did not mention depth of your mix you may want to consider using a coarse grade of charcoal on the bottom blended with a coarse inert with a depth of 1.5 to 2 inches and set into one corner of the tank a "tube" that sits on top of the bottom fill and extends just above the surface of the soil surface-it can be hidden by a piece of bark or the sheet moss. This would provide additional venting. The "tube" could be anything like even a yogurt cup with the bottom cut off.

  • taz6122
    14 years ago

    I would only use sphagnum moss with carnivorous plants since the PH needed is similar with both. It is available in sheets and may be what you have. Other mosses are not suitable and could cause various problems.

  • Jeffrey Schneider
    Original Author
    14 years ago

    Awesome advice.

    Yes, I'm using sphagnum moss. I'm using a small size bark... a ready-made mix (bark and moss) from cobraplant.com and it does seem a bit heavy, so I do think I will add some peanuts.

    I will replant the Nepenthes with peanuts at the bottom with charcoal. After I planted it, I realized I had forgotten the charcoal. Aaargh!

    The idea of a tube for aeration is a stroke of genius!! THANK YOU!!!! THANK YOU!!!!

    Sincerely,
    jeff