Wanting to make a orchid terrarium #HappyPlants
Hello 👋🏽 I have a question about creating a closed mini orchid terrarium. I have some mini orchids that I had bought from a few plant and orchid expos that I went to a few months ago and was wondering if the orchids that I have would be suitable for a terrarium. I have a variegated dendrobium moniliforme, mini phal, and a neolinetia falcata new berry blush x bubbleyum. Will these orchids be ok to put into a closed terrarium? Thank you! #HappyPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #OrchidLovers #Orchid #Terrarium
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Hi! I’ve never tried orchids in a terranium besides I know that jewel orchids like them.
You may have a bit of an air flow problem with a closed set up with phals at least, I don’t grow dendrobium or the others so I don’t know too much about their preferences. It might be worth looking up each individual plant to see if it’s suitable for it maybe? I considered something like that with bulbophyllum since I keep those and they love moist environments but they also like air flow so I keep them out in my room instead (I’m too nervous to kill more of them when for once mine are doing okay 😂)
You may have a bit of an air flow problem with a closed set up with phals at least, I don’t grow dendrobium or the others so I don’t know too much about their preferences. It might be worth looking up each individual plant to see if it’s suitable for it maybe? I considered something like that with bulbophyllum since I keep those and they love moist environments but they also like air flow so I keep them out in my room instead (I’m too nervous to kill more of them when for once mine are doing okay 😂)
@IndigoLily you can get mini ones and larger ones so yes. They can be a little bit tricky sometimes though so its worth having a look at them online if you’re considering them. They also err, smell bad when they flower 😂 they are a bit of an acquired taste in orchids 😂
You could even consider mini philodendron which can be a bit tricky to get hold of (at least in the UK) but do very well in terraniums and the one I have at least is very easy. I have one I’ve been keeping in a jar in moss that I take cuttings of regularly that I’ll eventually put in a nicer terranium. I’ll add in a picture
You could even consider mini philodendron which can be a bit tricky to get hold of (at least in the UK) but do very well in terraniums and the one I have at least is very easy. I have one I’ve been keeping in a jar in moss that I take cuttings of regularly that I’ll eventually put in a nicer terranium. I’ll add in a picture
@Peachyhoyas oh wow I love that! But the other orchid you suggested that smells bad, I would skip lol 😅 I going to look into the philodendron. Thank you so much for your help 🫶🏽
@Idplantthat thank you! I never knew they existed until I saw them on growtropicals website, I was shocked they were a philodendron 😅
@IndigoLily ooo I like your terranium! Very cute! I’m a fiend for glass jars I have a hoard under my bed 😅
Yes the polinators for bulbophyllum are erm, flies so you can probably imagine the smell 😅 the flowers are really cool though, very alien-like. I have a terrible morbid curiosity so I couldn’t help wanting to see if they were as bad as everyone says (I’m still waiting for flowers 😂)
Yes the polinators for bulbophyllum are erm, flies so you can probably imagine the smell 😅 the flowers are really cool though, very alien-like. I have a terrible morbid curiosity so I couldn’t help wanting to see if they were as bad as everyone says (I’m still waiting for flowers 😂)
The orchids you listed above really need air circulation otherwise you'll end up with fungal issues. So a closed terrarium will be problematic.
You could however add a fan to circulate air if the terrarium is big enough.
The two I would use are waterproof axial "muffin" fan or the other choice is a dedicated terrarium fan.
Either one you can attach with suction cups and then keep the lid cracked while providing a light airy mix that doesn't hold too much water.
You could however add a fan to circulate air if the terrarium is big enough.
The two I would use are waterproof axial "muffin" fan or the other choice is a dedicated terrarium fan.
Either one you can attach with suction cups and then keep the lid cracked while providing a light airy mix that doesn't hold too much water.
I also want to add that May mini orchids are not that mini and if your container is small it will quickly outgrow it and you won't be able to get it out.
My top 2 for a closed small terrarium are.
Masdevallia or Aerangis
Make sure you get the miniature they top out at 2 inches wide so are well suited to a terrarium. They also do well in closed terrariums no fan needed.
And like bulbophyllum you can get them in mini or ever micro mini and those are itty bitty and would also do well with no air flow.
My top 2 for a closed small terrarium are.
Masdevallia or Aerangis
Make sure you get the miniature they top out at 2 inches wide so are well suited to a terrarium. They also do well in closed terrariums no fan needed.
And like bulbophyllum you can get them in mini or ever micro mini and those are itty bitty and would also do well with no air flow.
You are going to likely need some amount of ventilation to avoid rot. You can honestly just stick them in a vase though, the happiest environment I’ve been able to create for my Maxillaria Rufescens has been this glass container with consecutive layers of river rocks < orchid bark < sphagnum < cushion moss. If I repot this, I will use something a few inches taller to trap more humidity, but otherwise it’s great. I have also been rehabbing a Bellina that came with root rot in moss inside a glass cloche situation that has air holes, it has gone from one 1” root to 7 roots in about 6 weeks… after a few more weeks I will probably put it in something similar to my Maxillaria setup to keep the humidity up.
I have observed springtails on the roots of both plants (I never bought them, they must have hitched a ride with the plants from their respective nurseries); you will likely need springtails to keep your orchid healthy in a terrarium, and I would recommend ensuring there is some sort of vent for gas/air exchange.
I have observed springtails on the roots of both plants (I never bought them, they must have hitched a ride with the plants from their respective nurseries); you will likely need springtails to keep your orchid healthy in a terrarium, and I would recommend ensuring there is some sort of vent for gas/air exchange.
