One toe into the water - First terrarium - Orchid Board

ATXOrchids · #1 11-04-2012, 12:12 AM

So I've read up on basic orchid care for my 2 (count 'em 2) orchids. I have a basic White Phal. or some sort, and an unknown Oncidium (according to my other thread asking for help). These two have been kicking around for a few years since I moved back to Austin. The problem is that I have an old 1950s house with no suitable windows or space for houseplants. We have to keep the drapes closed.

So my thought was to work out a terrarium to be able to raise the humidity and put a light on them. I bought a 55 gallon tall aquarium off of CraigsList, and also bought an LED array thinking that these orchids might not need too much additional light to thrive. I installed a PC fan on the plexiglass top that I cut. For now, I potted up both orchids in shredded coconut, and put the rest on the bottom of the tank for moisture.

So....tell me what your thoughts are on this? My biggest concern is light level and mold growth. Eventually I would like to lay in some styrofoam and spagnum to fill maybe the bottom 20%, getting the orchids up nearer to the light source.

Ideas? Concerns? Your opinions are much appreciated.

Magnus A · #2 11-04-2012, 08:45 AM

Looking interesting.

Do you have the light spectra the LED givs?
I would raise the plants up closer to the light. turn some nice terracotta pots upside down and put the plant on those. You do not only get more light but also more airmovement oround them.

/M

ATXOrchids · #3 11-04-2012, 10:20 PM

Great idea about raising the orchids up. As you can see I've plopped in a couple pots to raise up the orchids.

I think I'll wait a couple months and watch to see what happens. If these two do well, then I'll get more creative and start adding spagnum, other plants and a misting system.

The Orchid Boy · #4 11-05-2012, 05:13 PM

Is the phal in a glazed pot? If so, be very careful. There are lots of glazed pots that aren't good for orchids to be planted directly in. The glaze can be toxic. It might be ok, just watch it. Check the roots once in a while, if they start to shrivel or rot when they touch the glazing on the pot immediately repot. Just a heads up.

ATXOrchids · #5 11-05-2012, 05:20 PM

Yes it is a glazed orchid pot. Glazed on the outside. I'll keep an eye out. Thanks for posting.

Patrick

ATXOrchids · #6 12-04-2012, 10:12 PM

It's been a while since I first posted this thread and I thought that I would update the board and maybe get some more advice.

My Phal. must be happy because it's sending out roots like crazy! AND...I think it might also be sending out a bloom. If you look carefully at the closeup, there is a flat little bump coming out from the lowest left leaf. It looks like the tell-tale mitten shape, so hopefully I'll get lucky.

I bought this orchid in 2005 and basically neglected it until this latest terrarium project. Maybe it sees its chance to bloom and is going for it

The other orchid is not doing so well. Maybe it's unhappy or just slow to respond. Any input is appreciated.

Patrick

The Orchid Boy · #7 12-05-2012, 12:38 AM

Is the other orchid drying out too much before you water it? It is in a basket so it will dry out quickly even in a humid environment. What are some of the symtoms that it's not doing well?

Paul Mc · #8 12-05-2012, 10:22 AM

I agree, it looks like it might have been kept too dry at some point. See the wrinkled part of the leaf that looks like an accordion? That's a tell tale sign.

Might it not be getting enough light? Not sure what it is, so I'll have to re-read your post. If its an Oncidium or in the related alliance, it probably needs more light than the Phal does.

Paul Mc · #9 12-05-2012, 10:25 AM

Ok, just re-read...

Do you have a light meter that displays footcandles? I think if you moved the Oncidium NOID up closer to the lights then you may get the light it needs. Light strength dissipates as it moves further from the source. The Phal should be in about 1500 footcandles, enough light that you see a shadow from your hand without defined edges. However, the Oncidium would need more light than that.

ATXOrchids · #10 12-05-2012, 10:44 AM

Ok, I should have provided more info...Yes I'm pretty certain it's an Oncidium now, and a couple things are going on. The fan is just slightly under-powered, so some mold formed on the oncidium, but it stopped. The leaf curling is from before I put it in this new terrarium when it dried out in the room. I was able to make the Oncidium grow nicely several years ago, so I know what it can look like. It isn't dried out at all, in fact it's kind of soggy and the roots are rotting a bit.

I'm thinking that the key is the light. I don't have a light meter but tonight I will raise that guy way up to the light. Any opinions on a where to buy a cheapish light meter?

So, my goal here is to figure out the growing conditions in the terrarium, get these orchids happy, and then I'll do a makeover on the thing with some nicer substrate and branches etc.

Thanks for the help BTW

Patrick