Small enclosed terrarium
 

Hi.

This is my first post on the forums. I don't know much about orchids but started browsing these forums a few months ago when I picked up some small orchids for my dart frog vivarium.

I recently got brave and separated a Masdevallia bucculenta. One of the smaller sections that I had separated out went into a small glass terrarium I made as a gift.

Its gently sitting in loose, live spagnum. I tried to place it so the crown wasn't buried and the spagnum was loose enough that air could easily reach the roots. The light is 7 watts and doesn't seem to raise the temp of the terrarium much though it seems plenty bright. The person I gifted it to got some instructions and a spray bottle of RO water. Its my brother so I will be able to check on the terrarium regularly and advise on moisture etc.

I'm thinking this might have been a mistake. I read that this species can tolerate a terrarium environment but will this environment not lend well to the orchid? If it holds humidity well can an orchid survive on something as infrequent as a gentle weekly misting?

Pictures don't seem to be working so here are links:
Shared album - Collin Farrell - Google Photos
Shared album - Collin Farrell - Google Photos
https://photos.app.goo.gl/MPR7s9uK2J6gPEb28
https://photos.app.goo.gl/9MnqJQbsCC4Rey3WA

There are a lot of questions in your post.... He should water before the sphagnum becomes dry. That will vary with ambient temperatures, ventilation in the terrarium and how fast the plant is growing at that moment.

Greetings from a former resident of Doylestown.

Don’t be in a hurry to separate plants; they are far more robust as colonies, sharing resources via the rhizomes.