Plaster is an easy-to-harvest-from method for culturing springtails. If using the optional Plaster Retainer, you can safely tilt the whole culture and tap the springtails out.

Setup Instructions:

• Add two parts plaster to the bottom of your culture container and quickly stir in one part water. Optionally you can pre-mix and pour into culture cups. I use roughly 2oz of plaster by volume for 8 or 16oz deli cup cultures.

• Let set for one hour or until fully solidified. Optionally the plaster can be spread or textured during the setting process.

• If there is too much water there may be a water layer above the set plaster. This is okay and your plaster will still solidify below the water.

• Once fully solidified rehydrate the plaster. I prefer to add a large amount of water for five to ten minutes with the cup tilted so the water doesn't lift the plaster. Pour off excess water and seed with your choice of springtails.

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Optionally add a small vent hole on the lid and hot glue 35 micron mesh over it or use an Adhesive Vent available at Springtails US. Water the culture once a week or as needed.

 

If you wish to use the Plagnum Culture Kit or Plaster Retainers (recommended for best results when culturing on plaster), follow the additional setup instructions on those product pages.

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

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See the photos below for a visual example of how to set up a plaster culture and how to use the plagnum cages and retainers.