If you haven't noticed I'm posting quite a bit about gardening. Indoor/outdoor, flowers/vegetables/herbs it doesn't matter because once the spring weather hit I began thinking about plants. Well I've discovered a new love recently: miniature orchids in terrariums.I already have a small collection of full-sized orchids but something about tiny things makes them so much more appealing and desirable than their fully-grown siblings. I used a collection of inexpensive glass jars (you can also find them at Walmart and other stores) then did a bit of research.
I'm growing three different varieties: two jewel orchids, more specifically goodyera schlectendaliana, or a mountain jewel orchid, and baptistonia echinata. I'm also trying to grow neofenetia falcata--or a samurai orchid. The terrarium helps to keep a warmer temperature and higher humidity than orchids can typically get in my home. The first two need lower lights but the samurai needs high light and is a little more tricky to grow.
I'll have to check in a few months and see if they're still alive--orchids need plenty of air circulation so we'll see how it goes. Wish me luck.
Technorati tags: orchids, terrariums, gardening, minatures, Alaska
17 comments:
What a fun thing to try - is there much risk of killing them off?
I tend to only be able to grow things outside, where the sprinklers are in charge of the watering.
I will have to try this. I love gardening and have created one every place we have lived. It is sad leaving them behind though, sort of like leaving really good friends.
Beautiful. Now I have a reason for all those glass containers, right?
Orchids are tricky, but this sounds like a good plan. Good luck.
Will enjoy watching your progress.
I love orchids, and I try to keep them alive around here. I've had one for years, years, and now I think it's dead. I don't know what on earth I did. What kind of soil do you use for your full grown orchids? And after they bloom, what does the "stick" look like? I have another orchid that is just now growing and I really want it to make it, so any advice you have will be greatly appreciated! I do try and find out stuff on the internet, but I just don't understand some of the "language" they speak.
just what I've always wanted! But in this humid weather??
I have just fallen in love with an orchid! I love that picture of the Samurai orchid. So romantic. I hope it does well.
Oooo all that glass! You're very brave.
Best wishes
I love tiny little plants. Friends of ours planted an orange seed from an orange they ate on their honeymoon. When it began to grow, they clipped it to turn it into a bonsai tree. It even produced tiny fruit! Then they moved from England to America and customs wouldn't allow them to bring the plant over. :-(
Would you mind emailing me? I have a technorati question for you. Thanks!
thewoodenporch@gmail.com
Ooo...pretty. It's like your own little piece of the rainforest, but quite a bit farther north.
Those look cute enough that I actually thought for one millisecond of trying to overcome my terminal black thumb. Then reality set in...
PS We just said goodbye to my parents in Vancouver a few days ago. They're supposed to be en route to Alaska in their camper right now, but the road to the ferry in BC (Prince Rupert or something?) is apparently washed out. Hopefully they'll figure out how to make it up your way soon.
I am a plant killer. Plants scream and shed their leaves spontaneously at just the mention of my name. I love the idea of growing things, I just can't seem to keep much of it alive. I'm not sure what is wrong with me!
Those are so pretty! I adore having houseplants! I look forward to building another collection!
what a fun thing to learn to start growing. They look so pretty in glass jars.
Pretty! We use to have these in the 7o's.
YEAH! Someone to talk orchids with. I've been posting about my two new children recently--paph bellatilum and a brassia. They are so beautiful. I'm not too good with the humidity thing, so I read all about them and found ones that would work in my apartment.
To answer coachj--orchids don't grow in soil. Mine are growing in chunks of fir bark. But they can grow in all kinds of things, including wine corks and packing peanuts. Fascinating plants. I'm growing obsessed. I can't wait to hear more about how your babies are doing, scribbit. WHEE! Are there pics of your other orchids up here? I'll take a look...
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