Rebuilding my Forest Aqua-Terrarium
For a while now, I’ve been frustrated with my terrarium. The **Microgramma piloselloides** and **Microgramma heterophylla** ferns had completely taken over, and my **Lepanthes telipogoniflora orchid** had been buried under them. I kept hoping it would push through, but I have to be honest—it’s probably dead. It was time for a **reset**. No more fast-growing ferns. I wanted something **simpler, more balanced** , and easier to maintain.
The **Encyclia polybulbon** had been out of stock for what felt like forever, so when I got an in-stock notification from **Glass Box Tropicals** , I ordered it immediately. I should have thought ahead and ordered moss at the same time, but of course, I didn’t. I only realised this after checkout. Since **Glass Box Tropicals charges for shipping** , I wasn’t about to pay another round of shipping fees just for the moss. Instead, I found **Vesicularia montagnei** on Amazon and used **Amazon Prime** to get it shipped for free. Problem solved.
So, what was the plan? I checked the **DOOA page** for inspiration and decided to go with a minimalist approach—just the **Encyclia polybulbon** and **Vesicularia montagnei** , no other plants. My setup is loosely based on **this week’s Terra Base**, but without **Sphagnum sp.**
The **Encyclia polybulbon** arrived **two days before our trip to Ithaca** to visit Kiran, and the **Vesicularia montagnei** showed up **just as we were getting home on Saturday** —perfect timing. I had expected just one small plant, but to my surprise, I got **five or six!** Definitely a nice little bonus. Since **Sunday is my aquarium maintenance and houseplant watering day** , I decided to hold off until **Monday** to set up the **DOOA Terra Base terrarium**.
First, I had to **strip everything down** —I removed all the moss, ferns, and Terra Line to start fresh. The Terra Base was still in good shape, but I gave it a long soak to make sure it was fully hydrated and ready to wick moisture properly.
Next, I mounted the **Encyclia polybulbon**. Since it’s an **epiphyte** , it prefers to grow **on** surfaces rather than in soil. I positioned it on the **upper to mid-section** of the Terra Base, where it would get **enough moisture without being smothered**. Using **DOOA Terra Line** , I tied it down just enough to hold it in place while still allowing for natural root growth.
Once the orchid was secure, I added the **Vesicularia montagnei** , focusing on the **mid-to-lower sections** where it would stay consistently moist. I wrapped it gently with **Terra Line** , keeping it in place without packing it down too much.
Everything seemed to be going well—until I took a step back.
Encyclia polybulbon on DOOA Terrabase · Monday 3 March 2025 · FujiFilm X-T3 · XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
I was so focused on getting the moss looking good that I **covered too much of the Encyclia polybulbon’s roots**. When I stepped back and took a second look, I realised that would be a problem. The **orchid’s roots need airflow** , and by burying them under moss, I was basically setting it up for **root rot or poor attachment**.
I had to fix it. I **pulled back some of the moss** , making sure the roots had **enough air exposure** while still benefiting from the humidity. That small adjustment made a big difference—it looked better, and more importantly, it was _healthier_ for the plant.
With everything in place, I set the Terra Base back inside my **DOOA Neo Glass Air** atop a layer of **UNS Controsoil** , then added the **DOOA Neo Glass Cover** to help maintain humidity. I positioned the **DOOA Magnet Light G** overhead to give it a **steady 10-12 hours of light per day**.
Now that the rebuild is done, I just need to keep things on track.
Misting in the morning will be my first task—just enough to keep things humid without drenching the moss. I’ll make sure to keep the leaves dry to avoid any fungal surprises.
I’ll regularly **top up the water reservoir** to make sure the Terra Base keeps wicking moisture properly. But I’ll be careful not to overfill it—too much water means **algae** , and I’m not dealing with that again.
I’ll also be keeping a close eye on the **moss growth**. If it starts creeping back over the **Encyclia polybulbon’s roots** , I’ll trim it back. And as soon as I see **new root growth** , I’ll gradually start removing the **Terra Line** so the orchid can attach naturally.
If condensation inside the **Neo Glass Air** gets excessive, I’ll adjust the cover slightly to improve airflow. The **DOOA Magnet Light G** will stay where it is, ensuring even lighting without drying things out too quickly.
I’m really looking forward to watching the **Encyclia polybulbon** and **Vesicularia montagnei** settle in. Over time, I hope to see **new root attachments** and **lush, vibrant moss** forming around the Terra Base.
I’ll be updating my progress as the plants settle in—stay tuned!
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Hobbies DOOA Magnet Light GDOOA Terra BaseEncyclia polybulbonGlass Box TropicalsMicro HabitatNeo Glass AirTerra BaseTerrariumVesicularia montagnei
