Phalenopsis planted in a terrarium

[Nanybel]

My son bought me a beautiful Phalaenopsis orchid for Mother's Day, that was planted in a gorgeous, tall, crystal vase with a lid. He was told to open the lid just once a week and water with a mist bottle the bottom of the plant (avoiding to wet the flowers); then let it aerate for the day and put the lid back at night until the next week.... is it that simple?

Also, my windows face west, so I have kept it close to a window in the morning and moving it early afternoon to avoid direct sun exposure; could I keep it in a less bright place?

Thank you in advance for any good suggestions.

PS: this is the first time that I post my questions to this website; I apologize if I'm in the wrong forum!

[fred]

good news you have come to thr right place

welcom to the forum

i hope that you enjoy your stay here with all of us orchidgeeks

Mothers Day has been kind to so many mum,s

[mayres]

Welcome Nanybel!
Can you post a pic of your new orchid and container? On the surface it sounds like it would be a challenge to grow in a container like you have noted, but maybe I am envisioning something different that what you really have? For the most part phals like the same conditions that we find comfortable. You are doing well to keep it out of direct sun - that is one of the most common ways to loose a phal for newbies - that and overwatering. A west window would probably be OK as long as you had a shear over it or moved it back away from the window a ways. Phals generally don't need to be misted - especially do not get the crown wet later in the day from misting - it encourages disease problems (mainly crown rot). Good luck - mike

[DDS2007]

hi and welcome to the forum , you're certainly in the right forum to learn al u can about orchids !
can u plz post us a pic to see the container you're mentioning? that way we can give better advice!

[Nanybel]

Thanks so much to all of you for your replies; I will take a photo of my beauty (hopefully today) and will post it.

[fred]

that will be realy good

I will look forward to that

[Nanybel]

Well, I tried to post my photo and a window appeared saying that I needed to post at least 5 times before being allowed to post a URL.... go figure! So I guess I will try again, since I have written and replied just 3 times, including this one.....

[Nanybel]

Ok, this is me again, trying to write the 5 posts in order to send you my photo!
My apology for the inconvenience...

[fred]

Quote] My apology for the inconvenience...

its all ok no harm done at all.

thank you for keeping us informed.

[Nanybel]

I have realized that there is some kind of mold growing in a little corner at the surface of the moss where my Phal is planted; please advise.
Sorry that I am writing so many short notes; I think that finally after this post I will be able to send you my pic.

[Nanybel]

FINALLY!!!
I hope that this photo will be helpful; if you need to see a brighter one I could post it too, but at least for now, you will have an idea of how my terrarium looks like...

[fred]

yes you are right i look forward to see them may be we can see the mold as well.

[Nanybel]

Mike, Mayres, Fred, I posted my photo and I would love you to chech it out; I am leaving town tomorrow Wednesday, for a week, and don't know what to do to keep my Phal looking good...... please advice.
Thank you again in advance.

[mayres]

My oh my, that is even more unique than I pictured from your initial description - thanks for posting. You may get different comments from other forum member, but that looks to me like something you would show in the same vein as cut flowers. It is a wonder to behold and beautiful - as are many cut flowers. BUT, I would not want that orchid inside that little container for too long if you hope to keep it long term and expect it to thrive. A couple issues come to mind right off the bat. Air circulation - orchids like good air movement. It helps to keep disease organisms at bay, cools them in the warmth, etc. They like fresh air constantly - I wouldn't keep that lid on your terrarium for long - at least not completely on - it needs to breathe just like we do - except in reverse - carbon dioxide in and oxygen out. It would suffocate without air. The second issue that comes to mind is correct watering. Too much water and the roots will stagnate and rot. I don't know how you keep the roots the right moisture with no drainage? The leaves usually want to be spread out laterally instead of being forced up to fit into the container it is in - this is not ideal either. I'll let others chime in for now. Very interesting concept. Enjoy your plant. mike

[brookn]

Wow! You must be a really good mom. It is beautiful, but I agree with Mike. No air and the leaves bent up. Looks like to keep it alive you will have to repot. If there is already mold on the moss, sounds like trouble. Can anyone think of an orchid or plant that she might substitute for the phal. into the terrarium? It would be a shame not to put it to use. I can not get over how cool that is. Welcome to the forum.

[flowerchild]

Some type of tropical house plant would work well in that terrium, please be a good orchid mom and take that orchid out of the terrium!!!

[Nanybel]

Thank you guys for all your comments! Unfortunately, I am leaving town in a few hours and won't be back until next Wednesday 30th..... I hope that my beautyful Phal survives until then, or else I will be crying like a baby; I love my plant sooo much. Meanwhile I will ask my son to call the store where he purchased it, and ask them how in the World do they take care of Phals this way.
I will keep you posted.

[brookn]

I don't think it is going to be real happy about that. I hope she at least left the lid off.

[khill]

It certainly is a beautiful display, although not ideal for keeping and growing the orchid. I would repot the orchid in another pot and buy a silk orchid plant to put in the gorgeous hurricane container.