terrarium basics- or cookie jar terrarium

[smartie2000]

A quick shot I took:


I have:
Masd bonplandii
Masd infracta
Masd Razzle Dazzle ‘Twinkle’ AM/AOS (triangularis x datura)
Masd Sprinkles ‘Spotty’ (Steven Male x decumana)
Masd Redshine (Falcon Sunrise x Marguerite)
Masd Myck Santos x pachyura
Pleurothallis tribuloides

The problem with this tank is that it heats up fast.

All of them are happy except for Masd bonplandii, which is showing many signs of stress. I probably should take this one out and grow it with my paphs actually. It could be heat related, air circulation or light requirements. Based on the tere shaped foliage I would say that it requires more light than my other masd.

The middle of the tank has three ice packs which I change daily.

I used to have Cischweinfia dasyandra and Leochilus carinatus in there mounted. I took the Cischweinfia out because I knew it needed more air circulation because of some spots the base of the leaf, and I took the Leochilus out with it although it seems fine.

[Tindomul]

Nice setup! It has to be a challenge to get the desired temps. Do you have a fan setup? Perhaps that will bring your temperatures down, especially if you mist often enough so it doesn't dry out.

[knitsteel]

Beautiful!
I picked up 2 used 10 gallon tanks over the weekend. I plan on making some hinged tops for them, once I figure out how to design them for circulation.

For the taller orchids, I'll take the lids off the cookie jars and let them grow up and out, making it more like a humidity pan, like someone else here suggested.

[daemondamian]

Originally Posted by smartie2000

A quick shot I took:


I have:
Masd bonplandii
Masd infracta
Masd Razzle Dazzle ‘Twinkle’ AM/AOS (triangularis x datura)
Masd Sprinkles ‘Spotty’ (Steven Male x decumana)
Masd Redshine (Falcon Sunrise x Marguerite)
Masd Myck Santos x pachyura
Pleurothallis tribuloides

The problem with this tank is that it heats up fast.

All of them are happy except for Masd bonplandii, which is showing many signs of stress. I probably should take this one out and grow it with my paphs actually. It could be heat related, air circulation or light requirements. Based on the tere shaped foliage I would say that it requires more light than my other masd.

The middle of the tank has three ice packs which I change daily.

I used to have Cischweinfia dasyandra and Leochilus carinatus in there mounted. I took the Cischweinfia out because I knew it needed more air circulation because of some spots the base of the leaf, and I took the Leochilus out with it although it seems fine.

Fren,
looks better than my 3fter does but I couldn't imagine having to replace three ice packs a day

I agree with Tindo.. I think you need a little fan in there,
you could also possibly have a fan blowing against the lights above to blow away hot air..

Some very dedicated people even plumb in cold air
from outside

Is that sphagnum moss around the pots, filling up the tank?

Does keeping that moist help cool the pots much you think?

No pest problem? I'm going crazy over having to have sprayed for aphids again today ..

[smartie2000]

I have fruit flys in there...but if I get some canivorous plants they are doomed

The sphag moss fills everything and it is cool. The water in the moss acts as a conductor. However the air temp can rise too high. But I heard keeping the roots cool is more important than keeping the leaves cool... but keeping everything cool would be the best anyways. Blooms would turn out better

I need to get those muffin fans....

[daemondamian]

Originally Posted by smartie2000

I have fruit flys in there...but if I get some canivorous plants they are doomed

The sphag moss fills everything and it is cool. The water in the moss acts as a conductor. However the air temp can rise too high. But I heard keeping the roots cool is more important than keeping the leaves cool... but keeping everything cool would be the best anyways. Blooms would turn out better

I need to get those muffin fans....

Are you sure they're fruit flies and not thrips?

[Shadow]

Originally Posted by daemondamian

Are you sure they're fruit flies and not thrips?

It doesn't matter what they are - they are eaten anyway.

[Paul]

Just to be contrary, I'll pipe in with the observation that sometimes orchids will adapt to wet stagnant conditions. In my classroom I have some noid minidens that have rooted in wet [no not moist -- wet] peatmoss. One of them bloomed this past winter.

The tank is a 10 gal and is sealed with plastic wrap. [I generally find I can go a year without watering it.] There is no fan. The plants have been in there for at least 5 years now. Had a pic but can't seem to find it now.

So the upshot is that while it is possible, it isn't necessarily likely. Safest route is to provide air circulation and don't keep the media too wet.

[smartie2000]

I agree with paul. many plants are adaptive. We see peace lilies growing in water, etc. even though it is not ideal

[thakshila smith]

I add the pic to get some ideas.