Question about a new baby - Orchid Board

ehuber · #1 (**permalink**) 12-23-2007, 03:10 PM

Hi all,

So I just got into orchids this past March and now have over 30 of them in my apartment. I just ordered online a lovely little guy I have been wanting to get for MONTHS.....Haraella Retrocalla. He should be arriving after the new year from Oak Hill Gardens.

My question is: should I put together a terrarium for him, or is this orchid one that you can grow in a house? The only one I have seen in person is a teeny delicate looking thing, and I also read somewhere that they do best in a terrarium/vivarium thingy. I live in Michigan, and the winter is cold and the heat is DRY, so my chids are sitting on makeshift humidity trays and getting misted on a regular basis, but I wasn't sure about this new one.

Any advice you can give would be much appreciated!!

Ps -- I am reading "Orchid Fever" and loving it! It is a great book for beginners.

Happy Holidays,
Emily

Ross · #2 (**permalink**) 12-23-2007, 03:35 PM

I tried growing this guy outside a terrarium in Cadillac and it just didn't work. I'm afraid to say - I recommend getting, or setting up, a terrarium for this guy and the soon-to-be purchased new moist-growing minis you're soon to aquire

ehuber · #3 (**permalink**) 12-23-2007, 04:03 PM

Thanks Ross! I appreciate it. I think I will probably start searching around for used aquariums or something that I can sterilize and then use. Any suggestions there?

There are also these little glass house things that I keep seeing at the garden store. Do these work alright as terrariums?

CodiMN · #4 (**permalink**) 12-23-2007, 05:40 PM

Oo! Too fun! Emily, have you looked into Orchidariums? They're pretty cool, some can be expensive, but here's some sites:
orchidarium.com
Wardian Cases, Terrariums and Miniature Conservatories
Klima-Gro | HOME

There are many more out there too, we just decided to make our own with some plexiglass and such. You may want to check Craigslist or something for a cheap/free aquarium too that might help get you started. craigslist classifieds: jobs, housing, personals, for sale, services, community, events, forums
I will try to post some pics of mine later...having a hard time finding my usb cable.

Undergrounder · #5 (**permalink**) 12-24-2007, 05:17 AM

If you just want it for one orchid maybe you can get one of those little round fishbowls for a mini microclimate. Fill the bottom with some wet vermiculite or something.

ehuber · #6 (**permalink**) 01-08-2008, 04:24 PM

Ok, I just got my little guy in the mail!! I am going to have to put him on a regular humidity tray for tonight since I don't have any terrarium stuff, but tomorrow I think I'll find a fishbowl and some perlite. It's not in bloom and is in a little tiny pot (1 1/2 inches?). Should I leave it in the pot or eventually plant it right onto the perlite? Thanks SO much for all your advice. I am definitely looking into a terrarium but I think that will have to come sometime in the future.

Emily

CodiMN · #7 (**permalink**) 01-08-2008, 04:55 PM

Wow! He sounds itty bitty! Too cute! You'll have to have a lot of patience with him. Do you have any pics?

I just love baby 'chids!