Sealed terrarium needs cleaning – too scared to open it

Question From: 
Felicity Bruce in  Mosman,  Sydney NSW

 

Nature of problem: 
Sealed terrarium needs cleaning – too scared to open it

 

Type of Plant (if known): 
unknown

 

Symptoms of Plant Illness (please try NOT to diagnose your problems yourself): 
slime build up

 

Soil Type (e.g. sandy, clay or loam) OR Potting Mix Type: 
unsure

 

How often do you water the plant:
never

 

How many hours of sunlight does the plant get each day:
all day (but not direct)

 

What type of plant is it:
please refer to the photos

 

How long since you planted it:
1981

 

Have you fertilised? If so, with what and when:
no

 

Is the plant indoors or outdoors: 
indoors

 

What other treatments have you given the plant: 
nothing

Upload photo if available: 

Other Comments: 
Hi Burke’s Backyard,
The terrarium was made by my grandmother back in 1981. To my knowledge it was only opened once back in the late 90s when my mother had it and it wasn’t going to well. It never seemed to recover and it was then given to me in 2005. Somehow I brought it back to life.
It has had a large amount of slime for many years and it seems to be getting more slimey.
I’m terrified to open it to try and remove the slime as I just don’t want it ruin it.
It lives near a window but not in direct sunlight (it’s in a corner). I’ve noticed there are tiny little insects in there too. Not sure how they got in there. They are tiny little white things (maybe just short of a millimetre).
Hope you can help.
I tried repeatedly to upload a file but it wont accept a .png or .jpg file.
Thanks Burke’s Backyard
Regards
Felicity

 

Answer: Opening it up should do no harm, provided that you don’t put it out into full sun. Not enough info to say any more.  Don