Springtail Clay and similar products are the easiest culture medium to harvest from and still boasts having phenomenal reproduction rates for the species that do well on it. To harvest, simply tilt the whole culture and tap to get the springtails out.

Materials Required:

• Springtail Clay powder (or similar clay blend from another business)

• Water (distilled or purified water is best)

• Deli cups and lids (I prefer 32oz cups for my master cultures)

• Butter knife and spoon (not needed for 16oz cultures and smaller)

Setup Instructions:

• Mix two parts clay powder to one part water into an even consistency. I prefer to mix up my clay in a sealed container so that I can put the lid back on and have wetted clay ready to go for next time.

• For 16oz cultures and smaller, add a dollop of your wet clay and spread it evenly on the bottom of the container and halfway up the walls.

• For 32oz cultures add a large dollop of wet clay (I do 12oz of wet clay) and use the butter knife to spread it evenly on the walls and the spoon to spread it on the bottom.

• You can optionally add a tiny vent hole into the lid with 35 micron mesh glued over it or adhesive vents stuck over it. I use the adhesive vents on all clay cultures. 

​

A common misconception is that springtails need very wet clay, this is actually counterproductive. Very wet clay will fully absorb food powder and go bad much faster. Clay that is slightly dry, so that when you poke it only a small amount sticks to you, is perfect.

​

The best way to water the clay is to add one or two drops via pipette so that you don't accidentally get the clay too wet. If you use ventilation the clay will need to be watered more frequently.

​

Clay cultures will last 6 months to a year or more before the springtails need to be moved to a fresh culture.