Springtails culture and breeding for terrariums and vivariums
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ต.ค. 2024
- Springtails are extremely common and ubiquitous insects, but they are nearly microscopic and because of that, they are often overlooked. They range from 1/16th to 1/8th of an inch long, and their diminutive size may be the reason you think you’ve never encountered one of these little insects, but it is estimated that there are tens of thousands of springtails in just one square meter of agricultural soil.
As their name suggests, springtails can jump a great distance using their tails. Their tail is actually a specialised forked appendage called a furcula, located underneath the abdomen.
Springtails are associated with damp conditions and organic debris and are found outdoors in soil, leaf litter, decaying plant matter, and rotting wood. They are found in diverse habitats from tundras to cornfields, and they feed on fungi, pollen, algae, or decaying organic matter. They are beneficial insects to have in agricultural soils or in one’s garden soil. They play important roles in the decomposition of organic materials, cycling of nutrients, and formation of soil micro-structure. Like most of our under-recognised soil invertebrates, they play a role in the soil food web and contribute to the health of the of soil community. There is also evidence that springtails benefit plant health by feeding upon fungi which may cause plant diseases.
This video explains the entire process of procuring springtails and developing active cultures in order to breed them for using in terrariums and vivariums.
One can source springtails from the wild. Usually springtail colonies can be found in dark and humid places in the soil, under bricks or tree barks. You might even find a thriving colony in your own garden under the flowerpots. Use a brush to lightly collect some in a container. You could also collect the springtails with the substrate in which they are colonising and place it in a container. They can be later transferred into the container which will house the culture. The culture container is mainly prepared with activated charcoal placed in RO or collected rain water.the water level must be shallow and below the layer of charcoal. Brush some springtails into the culture. Uncooked rice or yeast can be provided as feed to the springtails once a week. It usually takes about a month or two for the culture to take off.
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#theurbannemophilist #springtails
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Found thousands of these in my worm bin on dried tulip leafs but they only come out at night for some reason, im just added some to my orchid that had fungal growth on the roots and they went straight to the fungus i really wish i knew about this earlier, great video i wouldn't have thought to add them otherwise
Beneficial critters they are. Thanks
And for those asking how to catch them.. heck, I can catch them when they are in my tub. They have no qualms with jumping directly on to your hands. If you look under any leaf litter, you're bound to find some. Take your culture container outside, and when you find them, simply tap whatever they're on into your container. They are going to like it there..
I thought these insects are harmful. Thank you for this eye opener video. Lovely.
nice, you deserve more subscribers
Thank you
cool to see a face behind the hidden worlds you build! Also humble that he says he got the info form the interet, rather than being a cocky plant nerd which he is not!
Thanks a lot.I had no idea I had these springies in one of my pot....
Thanks, this video solved the problem
Now everything has cleared sir 👍
I had to watch this next to find out about springtails… 🤣 👍
😀
thanks for the info..its quite informative and helpful.
Absolutely love your videos, so informative thank you.
Inspired but your videos I made my first terrarium with soil from the garden, it contained little white critters that are crawling around in the soil, some of these burrowed through the bottom and into the water to their doom I fear. I have more of the same soil in a bag and I can see more critters in there so I plan to gently remove them to a container so I can tip them in on top. I haven’t seen one spring yet lol. I think they are white springtails.
Thanks a lot 🙏
Thanks for your vidéo it helps a lot, i'm just wondering if it's possible to make a terrarium without springtails ?
sypho gamer yes it should be possible. You can prevent fungal outbreak by avoiding wooden hardscape and by controlling the watering.
@@TheUrbanNemophilist ok thanks i appteciate your advices 💝
This is very informative! Thanks you very much !
Thanks
Very informative video, but how do you catch them in the wild? Can you do a video on that? Thanks!
Yes maybe in the future. Thank you
i love this channel
❤❤❤
Awesome, I was like who would actually sell springtail culture in India then as you said checked under some flowerpots and got them. Gotta catch them all 🙏🙏
Thanks for the info!
ThankQ,
This is very interesting. Thank you
Thank you
Thank you 😊😊
Good, concise video!
Thanks
Hi! I have a question, do you change it's water? If yes, when?
Yes i do change the water if it gets too dirty
Thanks for the video! I really wanted to know what springtails worked for and how to get them
You are welcome. Thanks
Do the springtails go underground in the soil? or they are always on the surface? Thanks in advance!!! keep up the good work!!!
Mostly on the surface. Thanks
Mine have all gone under 🧐
Can you add the wrong type of springtails?
Hello. First of all thank you so much for such amazing videos and information. I started a spring tail culture as you have shown but very slow growth and also they seem to perish after few days. What could be the problem.
Thanks. It takes a while for culture to mature. Appx 3-6 months. Open the lid every other day. Do not overfeed. Keep in a dark corner without much light
@@TheUrbanNemophilist 🙏Thanks
I found a lot of spring tails in our compost pit. I don't know how to harvest them. I get lot of dirt with spring tails.
You can collect them along with the dirt in a container. Pour water and they will float up. Then you can pour them onto your culture container.
Is it possible to purchase springtails from you ?
Hello. Can you also make a video on transferring spring tails or changing springtail culture box if the water gets dirty
Will try to cover in the future
@@TheUrbanNemophilist Thanks a lot. Mine seem to be multiplying and then suddenly kind of disappear
Informative...
I just got my first culture of springtails. They came in a clay like substrate and I intend to cultivate them in a container with charcoal substrate. Think it's okay to just dump the clay substrate into the charcoal???
It would be fine but floating them up by flooding the container and gently pouring them into the new culture may be a better idea.
@@TheUrbanNemophilist it worked like a charm! Thanks for your help.
I have bought a springtail culture in India.I got my culture from splashy fins in bangalore
any tips on catching these guys in the wild?. I'm pretty sure picking them up one by one is impossible so...
BunDun you could buy an active culture if anyone is selling in your country. Sourcing springtails from the wild is also not very difficult. Just look for them in moist and dark places like under rocks and tree bark. You might find them thriving under the flowerpots in your garden. Gently brush them into a container.
Where do you get your tools? I have some bonsai tools but they are very poor quality.
From amazon.
Collecting from natural sources will take time, I wanted to buy Springtails in Bengaluru is there any place you're aware of?
I will have some updates on my insta very soon on this topic.
I got 2 springtail culture but both are in soil and very messy to add them into the finished terrairum. How do you think i should move them to charcoal? Thank you.
Try this - add water to the culture so that springtail float up. Transfer carefully to another container filled with clear water. Repeat process. Finally add to container with charcoal.
@@TheUrbanNemophilist I had this question too :D Its Resolved Thanks for answering it :)
Where to fing them and how can you catch them as they are very small
In dark damp areas in nature, garden backyard, under planters. Brush lightly into a container.
Is it possible for me to buy some springtails from you.
I just bought springs but they are too small ... can they be reproduced?
Yes you can breed them
Hello dear, i have a question? All my terrarium get rot, but i never used coal and springtails, is always those necesary? Even for timy terrarium? Thanks for ur videos 🤘🏾
Abril Ferrario try making a terrarium in a bigger container and and avoid overwatering. Tiny terrariums a always a challenge. Charcoal and springtails does help.
First of your idea very useful. But I have not get any springtails form nature. Can I purchase of ready springtails? After culture with your way. Please help.
Thanks
You could send an email to urbannemophilist@gmail.com with your query
I searched a lot for springtails but I couldn't find them so can I put some other creatures like isopods or earwigs?
Yes isopods should be fine but they might snack on plants. Earthworms are good but they will walk on the glass and make it dirty. Not sure about earwigs.
@@TheUrbanNemophilist I added the isopods but they have overpopulated and are eating the plants so what should I do to control them.
I didn't got spring tail but get isopod in my garden
What charcoal are u using? As there are few types. If purchased online, then can u share link?
You can buy horticulture grade charcoal from anazonShehri Kisaan® Activated Horticultural Plant Charcoal Chunks- 250 Gm | for Terrariums Succulents Cactus Orchid & Ornamental Plants | 100% Natural Odor Disinfectant | Keeps Sealed Planters Fresh www.amazon.in/dp/B07TK2VT5F/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_DCTnFbBENR6G6
I read that you want to be sure it's 100 percent charcoal. No briskets for the grill
I find these on the ground sometimes when i’m outside could i use those too? 😊
Yes if they are springtails
What do you think if I put 2 or 3 earthworms in the terrarium
They are beneficial but will walk around and make the enclosure dirty. They will also need a little ventilation.
It came automatically in my bottle terrarium
Thanks for this. I keep having my cultures crash. Do you know why cultures die spontaneously? As it is very arid here, there are no springtails, even under my pots, I buy culture starts on line. I've got them from Etsy, eBay, and retailers with no real difference, except that some of the retailers sent dead cultures. I typically use brewers yeast combined with a bit of spirulina powder for food. I feed a little twice a week. I use more of a medium like your terrarium soil with charcoal chunks mixed in it. I keep it damp but not wet.
You can try the charcoal in water method and open the container more often. Thanks
Hi !
I’ve been trying to do springtails culture for last 15 days. I failed on all 3 attempts. Made the same container, charcoal and rice etc. I had Put some 30-50 springtails. But could see them all perish in 7-10 days… don’t know where I’m wrong. How long does it take for them to multiply ? Even some springtails that I had put directly in terrariums from wild also perished 😕. Plz suggest
There can be several reasons for failure
Box kept in sunlight or bright area. Should be kept in a cool dark place.
Too much water or rice/food
Charcoal used should be horticultural grade
Lid should not be too tight
Open every other day
Lifespan of springtails is 2-3 weeks. If they fail to breed it may seem all have perished.
Culture full development time can be from 2-6 months
Can I buy some if you have?
Some bugs same as you but it is black in my terrarium. is it harm full??😢😢
Difficult to say without taking a close look
The big ones 1:07 aren't springtails are they?
Yes they are
Ah. They seemed larger than the rest.
Can we put yeast worms in a closed terrarium? Thanks in advance for your reply.
I dont think that will work
@@TheUrbanNemophilist Thanks for suggestion.
Thank you for this info. The only problem now is where to find those in the city of dubai 🤣
Hi sir where find springtails
In dark and damp spots in the wild and even in the garden as mentioned in the video.
IVE BEEN TRYING HARD TO CATCH SOME OF THESE BUT I FAIL EVERY SINGLE TIME... I CANT FIND ANYTHING ANYWHERE. I LIVE IN CHENNAI MAYBE ITS THE CLIMATE.... COULD YOU BY ANY MEANS, WIRE ME SOME SPRINGTAILS....
You could check under planter pots in the garden
Hi! I sell springtails culture if you require them
What is the Hindi name of springtails
Unfortunately I am not aware what they are called in Hindi
where can I buy
You can try online sites like Josh’s frogs or desertcart.in if you are in India
Dear Susanto (I recall having read your name in one of your videos), can you ship me a springtail box in India? I'll pay for it including shipping costs?
I'm not able to find them in area around where I live....
I am redeveloping my cultures. You can get in touch with me after a few months
@@TheUrbanNemophilist Thanks dear. I'll.
Why on charcoal?
You can used mixed media too. Charcoal stays relatively clean and mites free. Plus easy to transfer to terras and vivs or to other starter cultures.
Hello terrarium doctor, so nice to see a new way of experiment in small plants for terrarium. Thanks for sharing your esteemed knowledge. Kindly guide which charcoal to use wood charcoal or hard charcoal. Wood charcoal i think will float on water?? Confused please enlighten ji, namaste
I understand these are great for certain things.. but having them infiltrate my home is something else entirely.
I go on killing sprees daily (because they live where I pee and bathe) .. never once before today did I dream they were BRED! Seems such a waste when there are people like me who can't get rid of them, meanwhile, others are actually helping them breed and survive..
Very informative video. I'll try to see them less as a nuisance.. but no promises 😅
How can I get in india
abja75 i really dont know anyone whos selling springtail culture in India
Would really need your help in obtaining a culture of Springtails. Can you send? Please share your contact. Thanks.
I don’t sell Springtails at the moment. Thank you.
Still looking for them?