IKEA Socker Greenhouse

[mofms1]

MY SO has an IKEA Socker Greenhouse (SOCKER Greenhouse - white indoor/outdoor - IKEA) and a couple of cats that I don't trust around most plants. They do alright with my store-bought Phal's that I keep on the dining room table (I think the leaves are too thick for them to consider eating them), but go crazy on other plants.

Since my SO has had the greenhouse for a few years and doesn't use it much, I was thinking it might work for some mini orchids. I saw there was a list of ones that could work well and I have started deciding what I'd like to get in there.

I would set it up across from some SE facing windows. It wouldn't be in direct light but would be getting decent indirect light most of the day, and I could supplement with a small grow light. It would also stay around room temp since it's inside. The top could also be opened for a bit each day if it needs airflow.

Does anyone have any advice on what I should start with or anything I haven't thought of yet?

[DirtyCoconuts]

Airflow would be my concern as it appears to just be a glass box. If you can have the top propped open maybe an inch and have a cross breeze in the room I bet it would prevent the box from getting stagnant

I don’t grow any orchids in inclosed spaces because it seems like an invitation for rot and mold but that is clearly my issue as it is a huge and successful practice.
Is there drainage?

[Ray]

Considering its small size, you might try some small, mounted plants (andysorchids.com). For the conditions you mention, if you add a tray of water to increase the internal humidity and catch drips when you spray/water, something like Phalaenopsis parishii might be worth considering.

[mofms1]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

If you can have the top propped open maybe an inch and have a cross breeze in the room...
Is there drainage?

I could prop the top open, but I'm not sure how much of a breeze it would get. That room doesn't have a ceiling fan, although the entire area is open-ish so there is a bit of airflow. There is no drainage, I would be keeping the orchids on mounts or in pots, and being really careful with watering

[Orchidking]

those ikea greenhouses are pretty breezy even when completely closed. With any greenhouse you need to monitor humidity though.

I know many people don't bother with fans. Have a look at this thread to reassure you Haraella Retrocalla

pots will increase humidity - bare rooted is safest in a high humidity terrarium. If a problem does occur it will be because the media usually starts decomposing (which happens faster in a high humidity terrarium) - which in turn can make the orchid rot.

Lots of perlite is important mixed in to the media is a high humidity environment to help prevent rot and you should be fine.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Orchidking

those ikea greenhouses are pretty breezy even when completely closed.

Difficult to see how a completely-enclosed "box" can be breezy. Leaving a door open a bit may provide enough air exchange - there doesn't need to be an actual breeze. Small mounted plants like Haraella retrocalla can thrive without a lot of air flow, and do like high humidity. A mounted plant will dry out even without much air flow. Potted orchids are more problematical. I'd suggest experimenting with something not terribly expensive. When experimenting, remember that orchids do everything slowly... give it 6 months or so before drawing any conclusions.

Another thing to think about with such a small enclosure without ventilation - heat buildup. Even a little bit of direct sun can create an oven (think "greenhouse effect") Another reason to experiment with something inexpensive.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Orchidking

those ikea greenhouses are pretty breezy even when completely closed.

Thanks for the details. But could you please explain how a completely closed glass greenhouse can possibly become pretty breezy, let alone slightly breezy? You're basically creating contradicting conditions.

[Orchidking]

Southpark, I suppose when posting things online it is hard to explain the whole thought process you are right. Compared to a sealed air tight box the socker greenhouse is fairly breezy. There are gaps all around it and nothing seals very well on them which makes them easy to use without needing a fan.

Of course we could all go down Roberta's route and experiment for 6 months with a non important plant before trying with the proper plant why not. Call getting the plants you really want a retirement present once you are confident you won't kill it cause there is nothing worse than having to order a new one.

Anyway mofms1, experimenting is the best aspect of this hobby. It is frowned upon a bit by some on here it seems but makes it more fun.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Orchidking

Compared to a sealed air tight box the socker greenhouse is fairly breezy. There are gaps all around it and nothing seals very well on them which makes them easy to use without needing a fan.

You mentioned breezy even when all enclosed. The socker details says "The roof vents can be placed in a halfway open position to allow air to circulate and the temperature to cool."

[DirtyCoconuts]

I think this is confusion about the term breezy...

I looked at the image of this closer and in higher res and it has lots of gaps as you mentioned. I would not call it breezy but certainly not even remotely sealed. Well ventilated might be how I’d describe it but I see your point.
Semantics, tone, word choice...so many subtle shade of discourse lost to the internet and the cold keyboard.





All that said, I’d clip a small battery fan on the side and point it across the open vent to facilitate movement and fresh O2