Brand new and struggling

[kheftling]

Hi folks!

So I'm the newest of the new. I absolutely love orchids in all their forms and designs, but so far I've proven to have a brown thumb with them. I bought several at Longwood Gardens near where I live and managed to kill them with kindness. I think the problem is that my house is fairly dry and I can't just humidify it for the plants. I tried putting humidity trays beneath them but didn't seem to have much of an improvement.

I've been putting a lot of research into terrariums as it seems a better way of being able to control the environment on their behalf. There seems to be a big movement (which I find cute and attractive) of making mini terrariums out of old glass apothecary jars and putting layers of substrate in with tiny ferns, moss, orchids, begonias, and varieties of other co-habitators.

So I bought a large glass jar, a tiny maidenhair fern, and a miniature oncidium twinkle 'pink profusion'. So...now I'm a little hesitant if this is the right combination, will the oncidium have too much humidity in a small container? Should I leave the top off? top on? pot the plant in the bark material or sphagnum moss or a combination? I would love to fill my home with orchids in happy little terrariums both potted and mounted, but I hate to invest money in lovely plants only to unintentionally kill them all. Any help would be much appreciated!

[Leafmite]

If you can mount the oncidium on a rock and set it on top of the substrate, surrounded by the rest of your co-habitators, I think that this set up would work very well. The roots would have plenty of humidity and yet not be buried (which might lead to the roots rotting). It would look amazing!
I have humidity only because I have so many plants. Otherwise, my house would be very dry, also. Good luck with your set up!

[Phal-lover]

Just don't keep them too warm and sunny. I left my mini in a very sunny spot, and after an hour, when I checked on it, it had two leaves burnt to a crisp because the terrarium had kept and magnified the suns heat.

[Freckles.Au]

You need to have active air circulation: in a small space like that bacteria will grow especially quickly

Can I suggest purchasing a cheap usb hub, some usb extension cables and a few of those usb powered personal fans or plastic laptop coolers ?

Best way I think is multiple 2-3 foot tanks, this way if some plants get sick the others wont.. plus wardian cases (fish tank types) I find are a bit hard to work in, not enough space.. I run LED panels on mine, the plants LOVE it : >

[Optimist]

Ijoined with the exact same story. Too arid and hot, considering terrariums and a serial orchid killer. I also have twinkle pink profusion. A cool air humidifier is all you really need. Air flow is important. Air gets stagnant ina terrarium so youneed a fan at least. A twinkle wont even bloom with out a chilling and good air flow.oncidiums like wind. I bring mine outside in the shade for wind and rain. They wont get that in a terrerium.

Orchids with pseudo bulbs like dry weather,only about 30 50 percent humidity. Try masdivalias in that moist tank. Err on the dry side. Good advice.

[kheftling]

Thanks for the help guys. I have a big bay window that I want to grow my orchids in, it gets fairly cool, especially in winter. Lots of indirect light. I don't really have the funds or the ability to set up large terrariums with special fans and equipment as much as I would like to

I'm trying to find something on a smaller scale that would work and be attractive as this is part of the main living area. Maybe I'm trying to have my cake and eat it too.

Well maybe I should look for something more humid loving like recommended for the jar and mount the oncidium? what about having it in a shallower vessel like a bowl that would give it more air flow?

[Leafmite]

I grow my oncidium Twinkles and cheiroporum in small chips of red lava rock as I had difficulty finding the balance between having them too wet or too dry with other mediums. In the red lava rock, I can water frequently without worrying that the roots will rot. This also provides more humidity to the little orchid from evaporation. If you want to see a picture of how I am growing mine, I can post it for you. I really love these smaller oncidiums.
I grow on the windowsill (natural lighting), with cooler winter temperatures (64'F or cooler, depending on the window).
I'm not certain how large of a division your Twinkle is but if it has six 'large', healthy, leafy growths, you could divide it in half and put one half in the terrarium mounted on a rock and the other half in a pot that barely fits the roots and see which does best. Just leave the top off.
A really perfect orchid for a terrarrium is a haraella rectrocalla. It doesn't need any air circulation at all. They bloom constantly with nicely scented flowers. Jewel orchids do great in one, too, and can take shady conditions. Some jewel orchids have scented blooms.
Good luck. Ask if you have any other questions.

[kheftling]

Thanks so much, leafmite! The oncidium I have arrived with two spikes both holding a contingent of tiny buds. It seems very healthy, although I haven't inspected the roots yet. I'll post a picture of it shortly, along with the window I plan to house it in.

[WhiteRabbit]

Where do you live? General area if you don't care to be specific ...
That knowledge can help us better advise you...

[kheftling]

I live in northern Delaware, between 7a and 7b