Will this work as an Orchid Terrarium???

[VMStearns]

I have a lovely "vase" thing in the shape of a fish. I grew up along the Columbia River and spent my summers fishing for Steelhead and Salmon so I love anything FISH.

I have never done anything with this oddly shaped vessel and am now wondering if I might use it as a terrarium for micro orchids.

I've filled the bottom with decorative glass "pebbles" topped with landscape cloth and a fitted cocoa-mat and filled it with distilled water so the mat gets some water but is not waterlogged. I can change that configuration...this is just my starting configuration.

I've also included some porous lava rock I collected on private property in the Bend Oregon area (Newberry Caldera where the Obsidian Mountain is open for exploration).

The overall interior dimensions are about 5" tall by 10" wide.

The vase sits above the entertainment center so it is pretty warm (around 80 degrees F) and sits about 10 feet from an EAST facing patio door.

Any opinions?
Any suggestions as to what would do well. Obviously I am thinking some Warm growing orchids due to the location.

Thanks in advance.

[Subrosa]

Haraella retrocalla. It likes low light, and as long as it stays moist it should do well.

[VMStearns]

Thanks, I've got that on my wish list with my favorite online orchid company, Seattle Orchid (local for me...whee).

[Vanda lover]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

Haraella retrocalla. It likes low light, and as long as it stays moist it should do well.

That's the one I would suggest as well.

[VMStearns]

SubRosa and Vanda Lover, thanks for the suggestions.

My plan is to purchase a Haraella retrocalla when I get back (I'm in Georgia until the 27th). I'll post pictures when I get it set up.

[VMStearns]

Of course, I don't know if the terrarium will be successful as it was only planted yesterday, but the miniature orchids have been purchased, mounted and placed (many thanks to Seattle Orchid for their assistance and advice).

Here are some pics...I'll post more assuming the terrarium is successful and at least the encyclia polybulbon spikes since it is supposed to spike regularly versus during the fall to spring for the Lepanthes and Harella.



Lepanthes telipogoniflora at the tail
Haraella retrocalla at the mouth
encyclia polybulbon at the "belly" for volume

[Vanda lover]

That's going to look pretty cute when those little guys bloom!

[RandomGemini]

I think that's adorable!

[Paul Mc]

Neat idea! Keep us posted as it grows!

[RosieC]

Looks really cool!