Closed Loop: Bioactive Terrarium Workshop Baltimore

Build a living world small enough to hold in your hands. Learn how plants, moisture, substrate, and tiny decomposers work together Closed Loop: Bioactive Terrarium Workshop Baltimore Welcome to Closed Loop, a small-group botanical workshop where you will build a living tabletop ecosystem and learn what helps it remain healthy after you bring it home. This is more than a decorative plant project. Participants will learn how the different layers of a terrarium work together—from drainage and substrate to humidity, plant selection, moss, decomposition, and moisture balance. Each guest will build one complete terrarium step by step with guidance from Moss & Glass Botanical Studio. What You’ll Build Your terrarium may include: Glass terrarium vessel Drainage layer Horticultural charcoal Bioactive substrate Tropical plants Live moss Natural stone and wood accents Springtail culture for eligible bioactive builds Finishing materials A plant-only alternative will be available for participants who prefer not to include springtails. What You’ll Learn How closed and semi-closed terrariums function How to select compatible plants How moisture moves through a miniature ecosystem How to avoid common overwatering problems How moss contributes to humidity and visual structure What springtails do inside a bioactive system How to recognize condensation, stress, and plant decline When to intervene—and when to leave the ecosystem alone What’s Included All standard terrarium-building materials Live plants and moss Guided instruction Individual build tray and tools Printed terrarium care card Moisture-calibration guide Take-home finished terrarium Protective transport packaging Access to the Moss & Glass digital care guide Light snacks and non-alcoholic refreshments No previous gardening or terrarium experience is required. Natural materials used during the workshop may include soil, bark, moss, stone, live plants, and small soil-dwelling organisms. Gloves will be available, and participants should wash their hands after completing the build. To keep the workspace controlled, substrate and decorative materials will be pre-portioned into individual trays. Water will be introduced only during the guided moisture-calibration step using controlled spray bottles. Because each terrarium is a living system, its long-term condition depends on light, temperature, moisture, plant health, and ongoing care. Moss & Glass provides guidance but does not guarantee that a terrarium will remain permanently self-sustaining without adjustment. 12:45 PM – Doors Open & Material Check-In Arrival, seating, refreshments, and introduction to the build station. 1:00 PM – How a Living Terrarium Works A beginner-friendly introduction to layers, moisture cycles, plants, moss, and decomposition. 1:20 PM – Build Phase One: Foundation Drainage, charcoal, substrate, and structural layout. 1:45 PM – Build Phase Two: Planting Plant selection, root preparation, placement, and moss installation. 2:20 PM – Bioactive Layer & Moisture Calibration Springtail introduction where selected, controlled watering, and humidity setup. 2:40 PM – Landscape & Finish Natural stone, wood accents, final composition, and glass cleanup. 2:55 PM – The 30-Day Care Plan Light placement, condensation checks, watering decisions, and troubleshooting. 3:05 PM – Living Gallery & Photos Finished terrariums are displayed together for optional photos. 3:15 PM – Workshop Ends Staff cleanup and material reset continue after participant departure.