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My five year old asked if the springtails in my jar were 'tiny janitors' and now I can't unsee it.
It completely changed how I explain the cleanup crew to people who think my terrariums are just pretty decorations.
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sethmitchell4mo ago
I read this article once about how we give boring names to the coolest parts of nature. Calling them 'tiny janitors' is way better than 'decomposers' for getting the point across. It makes the whole system feel alive and like it has a job to do, you know? I mean, it's basically true, they are cleaning up. Makes me want to set up a little jar just to use that line.
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robin8364mo ago
It's a perfect way to explain nutrient cycling to kids. They're not just cleaning, they're breaking down old leaves into plant food. That jar is a whole tiny economy.
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My compost bin is basically a big version of that jar. You're right @robin836, it's all just small systems working. I see it when I water my plants now.
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