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