Growing masdies/draculas in glass bowls?

[Orchidreamer]

I'm pretty sure a while ago I came across a couple of threads here talking about growing masdies and draculas in glass bowls with moss and clay pellets surrounding the plant pots. I even remember seeing photos, but I can't find the thread(s) anymore.

The reason I'm interested is because I just got a Dracula orientalis in a net pot with sphag and I know it likes cool temps, high humidity, and good air circulation. I think I can keep it cool enough, but I don't know about the humidity, which is usually around 50%. I don't have a greenhouse or glass tank setup, and a humidity tray can only add up to 10% humidity, so that's why I'm wondering about the bowl idea. Any related info would be greatly appreciated!

Also, I can't find much info on Dracula orientalis. Is anyone growing it?

[Zoi2]

I think you're looking for posts from RJSquirrel. I believe he grows quite a few orchids in glass bowls.
Joann

[RJSquirrel]

I dont bite i just nip at yer heels



I can break these down into the elements if you like. I cant grow draculas in them bec the dracs I have are pendulous as most are.

hydroton/aliflor/ etc. fills the bottom about 2 inches..you want to keep the roots out of any water that collects in them. I'm starting to use granite chips bec they are cheap and I dont have to seek and search all over town for a bag.

The moss is pre soaked in hydrated lime to keep algae down and to keep the ph acceptable. I like the brand Angel Moss..its new zealand moss grown in the USA.

The plants are in net baskets.
Hard part is finding net baskets that fit the bowls. They should fit tight and seal around the rim as much as possible. You don't have to do this but when you want to clean the container as you will need to do on occasion its easier taking out a net basket than uprooting the happy plant. I have some in clay pots but they dont really look very good and dont fit.

This is the only way I can grow masdys. It was a result of my failures that created the fish bowl orchids

They get watered and fertilized like the rest. They just have their own little micro-climates in the jars/bowls. I must say bowls work better than the fancy squares. I dont know exactly why but I think its the smaller opening in the top that keeps the micro climate micro. The wide open square glass containers just dont hold the micro climate.

Its a nice decorative touch to the plants. I grow mostly indoors and just like to look at them a lot. The bowls break very easy if you knock em around. I cant find anymore like the ones I have and I dont know what to do..

Im really not a bad squirrel just mischeivous at times.

[Paul Mc]

Try our local pet shops to see if they have some small beta fish bowls. Those should work just fine, although I don't know if the netted pots you have would fit in the openings or not. Just a thought, I'm going to be seeing about this option today as well.

So what kind of temperature does the glass environment have? Would this be acceptable for cooler/intermediate growing masdie's or do you think it wold warm up too much when in indirect light?

[Orchidreamer]

Thanks, RJSquirrel!

I found some betta bowls and candle bowls but the openings are too big , at about 3.5" to 4" in diameter. My net pot is only 3". I don't know if my dracula is pendulous or not, but I want to try growing some masdies that way. I think I have all the supplies except for the right size bowl. Also, is that live moss? It looks very green!

[RJSquirrel]

yes the moss is living too a happy side effect of the Angel Moss. I have gotten moss to grow from only 2 brands, Angel Moss and ZooMed. Both are New Zealand long fibered moss. The better gro and stuff you find everywhere else is just too dead and dry to come back It stays funky brown. Its harder to grow and keep the moss alive than the masdys

The temps in these are kept between 65 at night and 80 tops during the day..Oh and I have 3 masdys maybe 4 spiking in these right now..I aint losing no masdy buds!!! I think any masdy would love a jar for a home

The light they get is from 6 T5 lamps at 5000k overhead for 14 hours a day. They are placed approx. 5-6 inches from the lights. These bowls also do very well in east windows and the hot sun really gets them working like they are supposed to..

How the Micro-Climate works:
Water when it cools at night, drops from the glass and moss back into the rocks. When the water gets warmed up in the morning under the lights or window it starts to make water vapor. Revitalizing the moss and effectively watering the plant thru the basket with PURE water

I do water them too if they get a little dry...

this is a Dendrobium Enobi stripe growing in one..The moss was Better Gro and you see the difference? The plant enjoys it the same as you can see the roots headed down into the pond..This plant had 6 spikes recently and lots of blooms. Has 3 more new spikes...I never posted the bloomed out pics bec they are trapped in my camera until i find my cable..

[peeper]

That's Genius!! And it looks great to boot! I'm going to have to try this, Thanks for the great idea! I have 2 masdies and a dracula that I'm hoping not to kill, maybe this will be their saving grace!

[RJSquirrel]

okey I have to flash my ribbons for you now too in case you have doubt

[peeper]

*swoon*

Ok, Now you're just showing off! No, really, those are wonderful! I have to do this, I know I have fish bowls around here somewhere. Those are great!

[Bud]

Very smart ! I have a couple of those glass bowls and I will do the method on my plants similar to yours RJSquirrel...I always like to pot in glass, because I can monitor my roots growth...thats why I also learned to drill holes on glass...even my S/H is done in glass drilled with holes