Understanding the care requirements of a Vase Paludarium

Summary

In this video, the creator revisits a neglected vase paludarium three months after its setup. The glass is fogged and the lid warped, but the plants, including Anubias Nana Petit and moss, are surprisingly resilient. The absence of nutrients is addressed with the introduction of DOOA Wabikusa mist fertilizer. Mold on the wood is cleaned, and unhealthy sections of moss and selaginella are trimmed. The Sphagnum Moss is replaced with aquatic Christmas Moss for better adaptation. The paludarium is relocated to a brighter spot, cleaned, and refilled with RO water. The creator plans weekly fertilization, water changes, and cleanups to ensure its health and growth.

Takeaways

• 🌿 The paludarium has been neglected for three months and needs attention.
• 🔨 The lid has warped, which can potentially harm the enclosed environment by allowing moisture to escape.
• 🌱 The setup lacks nutrients from the beginning, highlighting the importance of introducing liquid fertilizers for plant growth.
• 🍃 Despite the lack of nutrients, the Anubias Nana Petit has grown a new leaf and needs fertilization to prevent yellowing.
• 🪵 There is mold on the wood, which can be cleaned off, and the wood has naturally darkened due to tannin release.
• 🌾 The Moss has mostly thrived, but some areas have turned brown, possibly due to insufficient light or nutrients.
• 🌿 The selaginella has grown in most parts but has turned pale in sections, indicating a need for nutrients and light.
• 🌲 The Sphagnum Moss at the back has turned pale, likely from too much water and insufficient light, and will be replaced with aquatic Christmas Moss.
• 💧 The DOOA Wabikusa mist is chosen as the liquid fertilizer for the paludarium, also serving as a pest repellant.
• 🧼 The paludarium was cleaned, water refilled, and the glass wiped clean to improve conditions.
• 💡 The paludarium has been moved to a new shelf with brighter lighting and will be maintained with weekly fertilizer dosing, water changes, and cleanups.

Q & A

What is a paludarium and what is its purpose?

A paludarium is a type of vivarium that combines both aquatic and terrestrial environments, typically used to house plants and sometimes small aquatic animals. It is designed to create a self-sustaining ecosystem that mimics a natural wetland or rainforest environment.

Why did the paludarium not receive the attention it needed?

The paludarium did not receive attention because it has been sitting untouched in a corner of the shelf for three months, indicating a lack of maintenance and care during this period.

What is the significance of the dirty and fogged up glass in the paludarium?

The dirty and fogged up glass is not only aesthetically unappealing but also hinders visibility and light penetration, which can affect the health and growth of the plants inside.

Why did the lid develop a slight warp and what are its implications?

The lid developed a slight warp due to the common feature with thin acrylic sheets. This can cause trapped moisture to escape, which is detrimental as it can lead to an imbalance in the humidity levels necessary for the plants' health.

What is the role of liquid fertilizers in a nutrient-deficient setup like the paludarium?

Liquid fertilizers are critical for nutrient-deficient setups as they provide essential nutrients to support plant growth, especially when the setup lacks natural sources of nutrients from the start.

How did the Anubias Nana Petit adapt to the paludarium's conditions?

The Anubias Nana Petit adapted by attaching its roots onto the rock and even produced a new leaf, demonstrating its resilience despite the lack of nutrients and attention.

What is the natural process that caused the wood to turn darker in the paludarium?

The wood turned darker due to the natural process of tannins release and wood disintegration, which is a common occurrence in environments like paludariums.

What issues were observed with the moss and how were they addressed?

Some moss turned brown, likely due to poor conditions, and was brushed off. The Sphagnum Moss at the back turned pale, possibly due to water exposure and insufficient light, and was replaced with aquatic Christmas Moss for better adaptation.

Why was the selaginella showing signs of pale sections?

The pale sections of the selaginella could be due to a lack of nutrients and insufficient light, indicating that it needs more care and possibly a change in its environment.

What is the role of DOOA Wabikusa mist in the paludarium?

The DOOA Wabikusa mist serves as a liquid fertilizer, providing necessary nutrients to the plants in the paludarium. It also has a repellant effect on pests, helping to maintain a healthy environment.

What changes were made to improve the paludarium's conditions?

The paludarium was cleaned, refilled with water, and the glass was wiped thoroughly. The floaters were removed due to their poor health, and the paludarium was moved to a new shelf with brighter lighting. A plan to dose with liquid fertilizer weekly, along with regular water changes and cleanups, was implemented.