Looking for advice on closed episcia terrarium...

urudug

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

Any suggestions or tips on growing episcias in a terrarium?

Also, does anyone know which varieties need higher humidity?

This is the plan I have put together so far:

I have seen info that by flower color describes which need higher humidity and higher light:

"blue, violet, blue and pink varieties require strong light to bloom well, requiring also, high temperatures and humidity."

light green, silver leaves: low light

dark, copper leaves: high light

I have found some varieties hard to keep alive so I am going to try a terrarium, but they have orange and red flowers, so that supposedly they should be kept drier and need less humidity.

My tentative plan for the sealed terrarium is:

Substrate: 1 part perlite, 1 part vermiculite, with 2 tbl/gal green sand and worm castings, 1 tsp/gal each of bone meal, osmocote, and water crystals.

1. 1" of hydroton on the bottom of the sealed tank to form a reservoir.

2. layer of fiberglass screen on top of that

3. thin layer of fine charcoal

4. 3" of substrate

5. yarn wicks from reservoir to substrate

6. 1" plastic tubing from reservoir through substrate to provide oxygen

I would plant three varieties in this: jim's moody rock, kee wee, and silver skies. To grow under 500 fc of LED plant light.

Does this have a chance to work?

Featured Answer

irina_co

7 years ago

Acrylic felt will work. In my experience - you can keep the high humidity plants on their individual reservoirs on wicks or in Oyama pots. This way you refill the reservoirs with a weak fertilizer solution (1/8-1/4 teaspoon per gallon. You do not need to preload the soil with fertilizer. The felt - I use white one for better reflection - I rewet with tap water for keeping humidity high. If fertilized water hits the mat - you have the development of algae... not pretty. When my mat gets dirty - I throw it in a washer. Since all plants are in their own Oyama pots - it is easy to take them out - and put them back.

This is more utilitarian approach - while a real terrarium can be a work of art. The problem with real terrarium and Episcias - is that they are extremely fast growing in this environment - so you work on creating a natural landscape in your terrarium - and with enough light - in 3-5 weeks all is covered with Episcias up to the top and they are trying to get out.

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Comments (8)

Rosie1949
7 years ago
I don't know about planting a terrarium proper but I do grow E. KeeWee and E. Silver Skies in separate closed container and they are doing very well. I have them in a west window. Rosie
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irina_co
7 years ago
You will never know until you try.

Generally Episcia fimbriata and lilacina like the humidity. 50% and above. I do not think they need 90-100% humidity = so keep your terrarium partially open.

Be ready that your plants will fill your tank in a couple of months to the brim...
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irina_co
7 years ago
What they like - they need above average humidity - but they do not want to be soggy. They are not swamp plants, they are ground cover in a wet climate. When you find the sweet spot... oh boy... they will double every day...Pinch the stolons - otherwise it will be one holy mess.
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Rosie1949
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Thanks Irina! Mine are growing well so far. Even my Begonia Prismatocarpa! Under glass! And my miniature begonias!!!! Rosie
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Karin
7 years ago
3" of substrate seem a bit much, i also don't think you'll need vermiculite or water crystals.... anything that keeps the soil airy works. You don't need to "help" extra water retention. Also dont think you need the air hose.

Once you've got the right level of humidity in the substrate, there likely won't be any sitting in the bottom. Even if theres too much water in there, more often than not, it'll be on the glass in form of condensation.

I have a glass bowl where I "parked" some episcias in my normal wicking mix. They've filled the bowl within a couple of months and I've taken cuttings to try and grow them "properly" this time. Still in a terrarium, but in separate pots on a mat. With the cover on though I haven't had to add water since I stuck them in there a month ago (and barely watered then).
urudug thanked Karin
urudug
Original Author
7 years ago
what do you use for a mat?
Karin
7 years ago
Yeah, I use black or dark green felt. The less to see the algae on. But it does show mildew. Actually, the one I mentioned above, I used an old dollarama microfibre dish drying mat . Anything that wicks moisture and doesn't decay works. Someone just mentioned on another forum they're trying floral foam for wicking. And someone else said batting (? - a material used in quilt making) works just fine.

Me, I typically use cheap old acrylic blankets.
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