Treating found wood for terrariums

[PhytoDude]

I found some pieces of well-weathered wood and was curious if they needed to be soaked/boiled or baked for use in terrariums? I have read that must be sterilized for aquarium use, but cannot find anything about plant only terrariums. Thoughts?
Thanks in advance!

[vjo]

Maybe I have just been lucky but I have never done any of those things to branches or other pieces of wood and have never had any problems with any of them. I do look for bugs tho. I go out to my sons forest and get all kinds of cool things, moss,lichens, and nice pieces of bark. Have fun with your project...Jean

[PhytoDude]

Originally Posted by vjo

Maybe I have just been lucky but I have never done any of those things to branches or other pieces of wood and have never had any problems with any of them. I do look for bugs tho. I go out to my sons forest and get all kinds of cool things, moss,lichens, and nice pieces of bark. Have fun with your project...Jean

Thanks! I appreciate the response!

[Pattywack]

Ok you asked, I have had aquariums for years and years and collected wood a many times. I always sterilized it by boiling, scalding large pieces and even baked a few. With African cichlids I didn't want to take any chances. As for terrarium wood, depends on where it is collected but I would at least scald it to kill any nasties or their eggs. Moss and lichens I soak in water, especially the moss. I've read to scrub wood with a bleach & water mix but I would be afraid of not getting the bleach rinsed out well enough.

[RandomGemini]

I would also boil them and let them dry.

[kindrag23]

I agree with boiling and allowing to dry out. But I am slightly paranoid about bringing stuff into my house and near my plants.

[Pattywack]

I agree about being paranoid bringing nasties near my plants. I have boiled wood, let it dry and then baked it. There could still be issues with maybe something that has soaked into the wood. Oil, gasoline, pesticides? You really need to be careful where you collect the wood.

[Paul]

Boiling only works well for small pieces that can fit in a pot. A better option, IMO, is to soak the wood for an hour or so, then bake it in the oven for an hour or more. If the piece's shape will lend it self to being wrapped in foil or being placed on a metal sheet and covered during the baking process, pretty much anything will be killed.

Do keep in mind that -- depending upon the wood and the moisture conditions in your terr -- rot /fungi may be an issue.

[ALToronto]

I use found wood in my living walls, and the pieces I collect are far too big to boil or bake. So I run a propane torch flame all over the surfaces and even char it a bit. Always have a spray bottle with water handy if you do this!

I still get mushrooms and wood fungi growing on it. Some mycelia look like clumps of sphagnum moss. These larger fungi are a nuisance, but harmless to the orchids. They do accelerate the breakdown of the wood somewhat. Make sure the wood you pick is only weathered and not decomposed, and you should be fine. I pick off the mushrooms.

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[Pattywack]

That is amazing! How beautiful that would be in MY home. I love it!