Considering growing in a terrarium - Orchid Board

Amanda L · #1 01-06-2016, 03:54 PM

It's been a long time since I've posted, but I have a question that is better answered on OB and with fellow orchid growers. Here's what's up:

I'm planning a trip around the country that will last for at least 2 months, but there isn't really a set time frame. I don't have anyone to care for the 'chids that I have left in my collection. They will be staying at my mom's house, but she would kill a plastic plant.

I figure my only solution, besides entrusting my beloved, albeit slightly neglected, 'chids to a complete stranger, is to put them in a semi self-contained terrarium. One of them is a Bulb. medusae and I don't want to lose her, as well as my much loved Phal. Kaleidoscope.
I figure I would need to mount the Phals, upside down (or natural growing direction) on some wood and hang them from the side. Any suggestions for how to set this up? I'd like for the lights to be on a timer, easy enough since they've always been on a timer. I would also like a misting system that would only need to have a water tank filled. I can remind my mom to do that.

Do you think this is possible? I have a tank that I currently house a snake in, but I'm hoping to be re-homing her soon. I have some pieces of grape vine also. Is that suitable for mounting my 'chids?
Should I mount the medusae, or leave her in the pot she's in?
I know I would need a grow light. T9? I don't want to spend a bunch of money on this setup, but I want it to be functional in keeping my 'chids alive while I'm away.

I appreciate any advice you can offer!

Amanda

naoki · #2 01-06-2016, 06:29 PM

I have a growth chamber which is semi-automated with MistKing, which works well. But it isn't cheap.

If you have a bath tub, not used most of the time, you can set it up there. So you don't get damage when the water overflows etc.

You don't have to mount them if you are doing it just for 2 months. You can set the timer so that it will come on every xx days (need to experiment).

If you have 2 plants, it is probably better to use flood-style LED or CFL than linear T8.

This ebb-flow system is cheaper if you are sure that your plants are healthy (i.e. no disease transmission from one plant to another):
Orchid Borealis: DIY compact ebb-flow system

Can't your mother follow the simple direction of water every xxx days? They are unlikely to die even if your mother forget it a couple times. If you have only 2 plants, this seems to be the most reliable. Or if you have a local orchid boarding service, it is probably cheaper than setting up an automated system.

Leafmite · #3 01-06-2016, 08:52 PM

Check to see if you have a local orchid society and see if someone there will be willing to care for your orchids for you. Or, see if you can make the set up really, really foolproof for your mom to care for them. But I know, my mother always killed all my plants when I was a kid and had to go off somewhere, so if you cannot make it fool-proof, try the local orchid society idea.

Amanda L · #4 01-06-2016, 09:18 PM

Sorry, I didn't clarify how many I have. I have 10 plants right now. I got rid of over half my collection when I moved out of my house.
I was thinking of setting up a misting system with reservoir, with lights on a timer. Everything would be automatic and all she would need to do is add water to the tank. I guess I'm more asking if this is possible. I don't want water misting down into my phal leaves and causing crown rot, that's why I planned on mounting them. Plus, I'm moving across the country after this trip and if the 'chids could have a home they were safe in I'd feel better. I'll likely keep them in the tank after I get back and after I move.

I'd rather not have someone else take care of them. I have trust issues. LOL

---------- Post added at 08:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:17 PM ----------

I'm also kind of asking for advice on how to set it all up and get it going. I'll have 5 months to build it and monitor it for faults and improvements.

estación seca · #5 01-06-2016, 09:35 PM

Hmmm..... When plants are well established and grown in semi-hydroponic conditions, they can be watered every day. The great majority of orchids do well in S/H under most people's care. I have now, happy in S/H, Angraecum sesquipedale, Cattleyas, Cirrhopetalum lepidum, Encyclia cordigera, Oncidiums, Paphs and Phals.

I could envision a modified S/H setup with lights, a reservoir, a pump on a timer, and orchids in S/H containers standing in a tray that drains to the reservoir. The pump effluent could be delivered to individual plants via standard drip tubing and drip emitters. You could assemble the system, turn it on and count how many minutes it takes to wet your medium.

This would not be ideal long-term; salts would build up in the medium; a large reservoir of very dilute nutrient solution might minimize this. Cross-contamination of any diseases would be a possibility. Most S/H growers use fresh solution at each watering, and run a large amount through the container. But it should keep plants alive for 2-3 weeks.

You might consider reading the

Semi-Hydroponic Culture

forum on this board, and also the information on the site of First Ray's:

Semi-Hydroponics

Amanda L · #6 01-07-2016, 08:50 AM

They are not used to S/H conditions. I have considered growing S/H before, but I have a tendency to neglect my plants. TBH, the bit of neglect they get is probably why they're still alive today.
Due to moving 2 times in a month, lack of proper lighting and lack of watering, I may have already lost 2 Catts. I'd really rather set them up in this tank, that way they may be less stressed when the time comes for me to move to OR from TN. If they are mounted securely on a "wall" with moss, all I would need to do is fill the misting system tank, plug the misting system up and plug the lighting up. I wouldn't have to worry about placing them, or them getting bumped in the move. They've had a lot of stress in the last couple of months.
I'm looking to start growing in this tank setup. I may just have to look around this board some more and get some ideas. I was more concerned about setting the misting system up so that it doesn't puddle and stagnate on the bottom of the tank. The tank is tempered glass so I can't drill it at all to put in any type of drain.

---------- Post added at 07:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:48 AM ----------

I'm not worried about any disease transfer. These plants have been growing very close together for the last few years. They do very well when they are properly lighted, watered, and not moved too much. I also don't have an issue with parasites.

Amanda L · #7 01-07-2016, 02:16 PM

I'm also wondering if live sphag would be a good option for the bottom of the tank? What would be some of the pros and cons of using live sphag in the tank, as opposed to dried and packaged?