has anyone ever tried this type of set up/growing style?

[camille1585]

Can anyone point me to other photos of this set up? I can't access the site in the OP's post. I get "We're sorry - this content is not available in your territory"

[imgliniel]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Can anyone point me to other photos of this set up? I can't access the site in the OP's post. I get "We're sorry - this content is not available in your territory"

Try this one camille

Orchid Terrariums - How Did You Make This? | Luxe DIY

Generally speaking, it's a self watering, low maintenance, terrarium semi hydro cross (kind of....) You get a big glass vase or apothecary jar, put river rocks or other rocks in the bottom, then sphag on top of that, and plant the orchid in the sphag. Put water into the rock, just touching the sphag, and never water it again until all the water in the bottom dries up (which is supposed to take several months). The moss is supposed to draw the water up and keep the plant watered and hydrated without being overwet.

So it has a reservoir kind of like a semi hydro set up, but its in moss, in a glass jar a bit like a terrarium.

Since my main issue is over loving plants to death, I want to try out some of the "don't touch it for a month" set ups. I have literally 0 right now, having had to give away the whole collection during a divorce (luckily to a friend who has a serious green thumb and a house near the beach with a lovely covered patio, I'm sure they are quite happy with her) but as I am starting from scratch, I can afford to pick up a few cheap grocery store plants to experiment with.

[MattWoelfsen]

This idea suggests growing Phalaenopsis as a decoration—like a flower arrangement. As such, this would work. Orchid hobbyist would consider this growing style not the optimal way to grow Phalaenopsis as part of an orchid collection.

If you want to ensure success using this style, I would double the layer of stones. I would only use sphagnum moss. The other two mosses are not as strong and long lasting as sphagnum. They would deteriorate too fast, adding too much decaying material to the substrate. Being able to see roots growing has its own appeal.

Regarding watering, I would use bottled or reverse osmosis or filtered water. Using a clear glass vase will help you figure out whether to hydrate or feel the moss at the top of the vase. If it feels crispy, then fill the vase to the rim. After completely soaking the root mass, I would drain the water enough to cover the rocks, or pebbles. This will probably remain damp for a week or two and even longer.

Place the plant in a bright, well ventilated space, allowing for good moving air.

[WeirdGuySeattle]

Looks cool. I have a feeling it would look like garbage after a year if I tried it.

How do you water the thing without drowning the roots - just flip it over and pour it back out?