My warm-growing orchid terrarium set-up (new to it and many questions!) - Orchid Board

RenéeS · #1 10-10-2014, 06:38 AM

Hi everyone!

I recently got back into orchidgrowing after abandoning the hobby for a few years and now bought a heated enclosed case to grow jewel-orchids and other warm growing species

. This might be a slightly long post as I have a few questions and am very keen on input of other orchid enthusiasts!

During the day the temperature is between 24-27 degrees Celcius (75 - 80 F) and I aim to gain a night temperature of between 16-18 C (60 - 64 F). Since I keep the box in the living room, however, gaining that night temp has been a bit of a challenge as the temp does not seem to get below 22 degrees (77 F)!

I am contemplating to move the box to the other side of the room where it might be cooler but I fear the plants may not get enough light. I also have a few other species in there that want more a bit more light than the jewels. The jewels I try to keep in the shade of other leafy plants. Does anyone have any other suggestions as to how I can lower the night temperature? Up to now, the jewels seem to flourish. The other species have been in there for about a week - den. tetragonum, encyclia thienni, laelia harpophylla var alba (any input whether about growing these plants is very welcome aswell, I am new to them!

). Could anyone recommend me some other (miniature) orchids that could do well in this setting?

Then another possible problem: air-movement! I have been looking into possible fans, and thought it might be smart to put a little computer fan in. However, how can I set that up? I need to connect it to some source of electricity ofcourse. Does anyone have experience with fans in a small enclosed case? Up till now I have opened the lid a little at night to ensure some sort of air movement, but I am not sure whether that is enough as it is in the living room. I could use some input!

In the case I also have a leafy plant I do not know the name of. My husband got it for me as he loved the coloration of the leaves. See the pic in the attachment: does anyone know what this plant is called? I have also added some pics of my set-up and some eye candy

of some of my prides

WhiteRabbit · #2 10-10-2014, 10:25 PM

Nice!

I hope some members can help you out!

RenéeS · #3 10-12-2014, 06:16 AM

Thanks whiterabbit! I'm still hopeing that someone will chime in!

WhiteRabbit · #4 10-12-2014, 07:10 PM

Don't be afraid to bump the thread yourself if you don't get any replies after a day or so. Sometimes, timing is everything

Nexogen · #5 10-13-2014, 07:09 AM

A suggestion for air-movement
Orchid air circulation fan

calvin_orchidL · #6 10-15-2014, 09:36 PM

Is there a reason you're aiming for that drop? In general, the smaller the space, the harder to regulate temperatures and the greater the dependance on surrounding conditions. Unless you regulate the entire room (e.g. open the window), it will be hard to get good control.. but good luck! A fan will help a bit for sure. A cold mist humidifer will help a bit too, but then things will likely be too wet.

The plants you have in there have somewhat different needs. The jewels will do fine without any drop. The tetragonum comes from Australia with a somewhat seasonal change and a dry, cooler rest. The venus fly traps require winter dormancy down to near zero temperatures and will die after several years if not allowed to become dormant.

RenéeS · #7 11-20-2014, 10:17 AM

Thanks for the replies and sorry for the lack of response on my part! Thanks for the advice, calvin. I recently put in a little fan which definately helps in drying the plants a bit and regulating temperature. Water dries off the leaves of the plants after misting, which prevents rot/mold. I now only mist the plants every two days whilst spraying the moss in the bottom of the tank daily. This way, I am trying to prevent the moss where the plants grow in to be soaked constantly. Do you guys think that is sufficient watering?

I've decided to stick to jewels in that orchid-case, since it was mentioned that the plants in there need different things. I think I will move the non-jewels into a vase of some sort, to keep humidity up. Humidity In the case varies between 60-80 % and I have found that it is quite difficult to regulate temperature, as calvin predicted. During the day it is about 24 degrees c, at night it never falls beneath 19 degrees. Might be due to keeping it in the living room..

Since my last post I've added a Dossinia marmorata (such a beautiful plant!), Anoectochilus albo-lineatus and Macodes sanderiana (all relative seedlings). All plants seem to be thriving: they are sprouting out new roots and leaves. It is so rewarding seeing them grow! No blooms as of yet, except for the mimosa ;-)

djf051 · #8 12-27-2014, 07:02 PM

The plant in the middle image is a Fittonia verschaffeltii.

RenéeS · #9 01-09-2015, 07:34 AM

Thanks, djf051!!