terrarium basics- or cookie jar terrarium

[Tindomul]

Gastrochillus!!! Ofcourse!! That one's going on my list right now!!! Thanks Ross.

[Ross]

Mine's in advanced spike right now. They bloom in spring.

[Tindomul]

Nice setup! It has to be a challenge to get the desired temps. Do you have a fan setup? Perhaps that will bring your temperatures down, especially if you mist often enough so it doesn't dry out.

[knitsteel]

Beautiful!
I picked up 2 used 10 gallon tanks over the weekend. I plan on making some hinged tops for them, once I figure out how to design them for circulation.

For the taller orchids, I'll take the lids off the cookie jars and let them grow up and out, making it more like a humidity pan, like someone else here suggested.

[smartie2000]

I have fruit flys in there...but if I get some canivorous plants they are doomed

The sphag moss fills everything and it is cool. The water in the moss acts as a conductor. However the air temp can rise too high. But I heard keeping the roots cool is more important than keeping the leaves cool... but keeping everything cool would be the best anyways. Blooms would turn out better

I need to get those muffin fans....

[daemondamian]

Originally Posted by smartie2000

I have fruit flys in there...but if I get some canivorous plants they are doomed

The sphag moss fills everything and it is cool. The water in the moss acts as a conductor. However the air temp can rise too high. But I heard keeping the roots cool is more important than keeping the leaves cool... but keeping everything cool would be the best anyways. Blooms would turn out better

I need to get those muffin fans....

Are you sure they're fruit flies and not thrips?

[Shadow]

Originally Posted by daemondamian

Are you sure they're fruit flies and not thrips?

It doesn't matter what they are - they are eaten anyway.

[Paul]

Just to be contrary, I'll pipe in with the observation that sometimes orchids will adapt to wet stagnant conditions. In my classroom I have some noid minidens that have rooted in wet [no not moist -- wet] peatmoss. One of them bloomed this past winter.

The tank is a 10 gal and is sealed with plastic wrap. [I generally find I can go a year without watering it.] There is no fan. The plants have been in there for at least 5 years now. Had a pic but can't seem to find it now.

So the upshot is that while it is possible, it isn't necessarily likely. Safest route is to provide air circulation and don't keep the media too wet.

[smartie2000]

I agree with paul. many plants are adaptive. We see peace lilies growing in water, etc. even though it is not ideal

[thakshila smith]

I add the pic to get some ideas.