Orchid in an apothecary jar?

[jodiep73]

Hello Everyone,

I currently do not own an orchid, nor have I ever, but I am very interested in acquiring my first one, and have something specific in mind.

I saw on TV over a year ago someone that had an orchid in a large, lidded glass jar. It was absolutely beautiful, and I have wanted something similar ever since. I finally found a gorgeous jar, about 18 inches high, with a diameter of approx 6 inches. What I would like to know now is, which orchid do I choose that would be ideal for this environment?

I could potentially provide any type of lighting needed, as the jar will sit in a wooden cabinet that I could attach a light to above it.

At this point, I know little to nothing about the care of orchids, so I think I would need one fairly idiot proof. It appears to me that most plants would enjoy the relative constant temp. and humidity within a "terrarium" type atmosphere, so this seems like a good idea to me. However, if this is a silly idea, please tell me so! (And then please give me advice on an orchid I could grow outside the jar

Thank you in advance for all of your suggestions!

[mayres]

Your concept sounds like a challenge to me. Are you thinking of setting a plant with pot inside this jar or planting the orchid itself inside? Setting the small plant inside would probably be easiest as you need to be able to water and drain the media. A good light source would certainly be necessary - possibly a compact fluorscent that is just inches away from your container. You would need a low light orchid - miniature phal or paph possibly? It would be easier to start off with a plant on your windowsill or near a window - again phals and paphs are both easy to grow if you follow the culture rules. What else would you place in your container?

[jodiep73]

I suppose I could keep it in it's pot. It might not look quite as neat, but I think it would still work.

I may forgo the jar idea and just get a nice orchid to place near a window and find another pretty flower that would enjoy an enclosed environment.

The woman on TV made it sound like this would work wonderfully and the orchid would thrive well in the jar, but I guess that's why they say you shouldn't believe everything you see on TV.

Thanks for the info!

[mayres]

There is probably a way - just will take some good preparation. Maybe if you had "X" amount of rocks in the bottom you could count on the media draining sufficiently into the rock layer? Another concept to try might be semi-hydro - often written as "S/H". I have not tried it myself, but some growers grow all of their orchids in this media/technique. Here is a link you might check out - http://www.firstrays.com/hydro.htm You might also email them and see what type of orchid they would suggest for your environment? Good luck. mike

[Ellen]

You might be able to keep an orchid mounted on a wood branch in the jar. You could take it out to water it.

[dennis]

there is someone onone of these forums that has a paph i believe in a glass vase growing in water . just cant find it

[pikevi]

I am not qualified to make any comments here.

But I can tell you about my experience with a few orchids set inside an 'empty' fish tank( aquarium), 24"x 12" x 18". I had gravel at the bottom and some wood bark on top of it and had 2 phals and 2 dendrobiums ( all 4 in pots) in it.

I used 2x20 watts plant lights in a canopy, raised above the top of the tank by placing 2x4 wood inserts.

The plants did not do well at all and the leaves started to drop off. It may be because of lack of aeration , the importance of which I found out here in this forum.

There may have been other reasons for the plants to have fared poorly. Since I was (and still am) new I have no way of concluding that lack of aeration was the culprit.

If the jar is shaped liked an inverted pyramid or if it is 'French" type it may be better, I think. may be 6" opening may be sufficient if other experienced people say so.

Good Luck

[jerrymeola]

Growing anything in a jar is a terrarium. Jewel orchids will do OK in this environment and several others.

You can grow orchids in many different containers and mediums. I am the person who grows Paphs in pure water, and hydroponically in vases.
Whether the method is easy or difficult will vary. Every environment has its good and bad points.

I found terrariums were excellent for a year or two but difficult to maintain longer. Most orchids are grown in pots because that is an easy tested method

[Sharyn]

Jerry Meola has one growing in a vase with water. See this link:How To Select Orchids ???

[dennis]

Originally Posted by jerrymeola

Growing anything in a jar is a terrarium. Jewel orchids will do OK in this environment and several others.

You can grow orchids in many different containers and mediums. I am the person who grows Paphs in pure water, and hydroponically in vases.
Whether the method is easy or difficult will vary. Every environment has its good and bad points.

I found terrariums were excellent for a year or two but difficult to maintain longer. Most orchids are grown in pots because that is an easy tested method

i thought it was you just could not find it again thanks jerry