Bell jar terrarium

[harpspiel]

I know that upon seeing the title all of the orchid fanatics start shouting "air circulation!" Just hear me out.

I just bought a Lepanthes telipogoniflora at an orchid show and sale. While there, I was checking out the Andy's Orchids booth, and someone - I think it was Andy - told me all the healthiest specimens he'd seen were grown in glass jars. Now, if Andy of Andy's Orchids tells me how to grow a miniature, I figure it is wise to listen.

I assured him I had a perfectly good terrarium, with fans and lights and all that, and he repeated that glass jar was the way to go. So, darn it, glass jar is what it will be.

My question is, what else can I grow in my glass jar with this telipogoniflora? I have a few pieces that came off of my Pleurothallis grobyi that I may stick in there with it, and I'm considering getting Barbosella dusenii.

I would like to hear suggestions for micro-mini, intermediate temperature, low light orchids and any non-orchids you can think of that will do well in very high humidity and low air circulation. Thanks!

[Izzie]

I"ll be interested to see what people suggest, this is really similar to the no-frills 3gal aquarium terrarium I'm trying to figure out.

[Royal]

Originally Posted by harpspiel

Now, if Andy of Andy's Orchids tells me how to grow a miniature, I figure it is wise to listen.

Ha! Good point, I'd trust his advice too.

[rollinkansas]

I have a very tiny terrarium with no air flow, and a bunch of miniatures in it. This is what is growing well with no fan orchid wise:

Barbosella australis
Barbosella cogniauxiana
Bulbophyllum sp. Baiyer River
Bulbophyllum sp. Thai
Bulbophyllum sp. New Guinea
Bulbophyllum sessile
Bulbophyllum alagense 'small form'
Bulbophyllum alagense 'large form'
Platystele jungermannioides
Pleurothallis microphylla

And non orchids growing in this no air flow tank:

Davallia heterophylla
Davallia parvula
Davallia repens
Edanoya difformis
Peperomia rotundiflora
Peperomia rubella
Peperomia galioides
Peperomia prostrata
Sinningia Rio das Pedras
Sinningia pusilla
Sinningia concinna
Philodendron sp. Mini
Ficus sp. Mini

All of these are miniature species, with the biggest plant having a leaf the size of a penny.
I open this every day or so to mist, other than that, that is the only airflow this tank gets.

[harpspiel]

rollinkansas, thanks for the list, that was just what I was looking for. Any idea where I could find Barbosella australis?

EDIT: Also, ideas for where I could find any of the non-orchids as well, especially the Davallias.

[Zoi2]

I have a Haraella odorata mounted on a rock sitting on a plate with a bell jar over it. When temps hit the 70's and higher, the little guy blooms constantly. The bell is about 8" tall and 5" wide. I let it have air once a week when I water and fertilize. I also have a Trichoglottis pusilla in a bell jar mounted on a rock. I got it this past summer so haven't had it long enough to bloom. I know that sounds odd but the temps here started getting into the 40"s-50"s the middle of Sept. so it just got acclimated to it's new home when the temps got cooler. It is growing leaves and roots, but no bloom yet.
Joann

[Izzie]

What would you put in the bottom of the jar (if it is upright). What would you use for a medium under the bell jar?

[harpspiel]

I hadn't figured that out yet . . . I would probably do an inch or two of clay pellets or lava rock, then a layer of nylon mesh to hold the soil (window screen is what I used for my 40g tank, and I have some left over) and then a mixture of sphagnum, coco husk, orchid mix and maybe some tropical potting soil.

[rollinkansas]

Originally Posted by harpspiel

rollinkansas, thanks for the list, that was just what I was looking for. Any idea where I could find Barbosella australis?

EDIT: Also, ideas for where I could find any of the non-orchids as well, especially the Davallias.

Last time I checked, jandlorchids.com had it.

The Davallias, and most of my other plants I got from other keepers on dart frog forums...Im not aware of any websites that advertise them.

[KatyaB]

I am very new to this. I bought basically an oversized fish bowl. I would really like to make it into a mini orchid terranium by placing it upside-down and perhaps starting with a couple minis like the Barbosella australis and the Barbosella species red. Is that even possible? If so, what do I need to get? Does it need lights? What should I put on the bottom? How should I mount the orchids? How should I water. Please help me out with this. Thank you!