Something DIfferent

[PhalNewbie89]

So, I have read several things about people mounting their orchids and it really interested me because I am on a budget and it would mean I wouldn't need so much potting mix. So I was laying in bed last night and realized that I have a 10 gallon tank at my parents house that never gets used and I had an idea. Let me know what you think of it.

I was thinking about putting a little potting mix in the bottom then putting a rock up on top(didn't want it to scratch the bottom. With a little potting mix on top of the rock then setting my orchid up on top of the rock with some more mix around it so it isnt too out in the open but allowing me to use less then I do now and create a neat new habitat for it that I may some day be able to put another orchid into. Let me know if you think it will work and how watering would work with it. I am an orchid newbie and I don't want to kill the poor thing.

[jerrymeola]

The tank will restrict air circulation.

It is a method used for certain hard to grow orchids, but much more problems than you want for a small collection.

[PhalNewbie89]

Even without a lid on the top? It is an old tank I used for hermit crabs and I don't have a lid, I was just planning on leaving it wide open and allowing the orchid to grow out the top as necessary...Would you suggest something more flat without tank walls?

[PhalPal]

Are you talking about a 10 gallon fish tank??? Quite a few geeks use glass tanks and use them like a terrararium (sp??). I would think it would work if you put a very small fan at the top to increase your air circulation.

[PhalNewbie89]

Yeah, that was sort of what I was thinking of going for. I figure it would make it possible to use a little less potting mix each time I change it out and it would be a lot easier to keep an eye on the moisture in the mix. I am very afraid of over or under watering my 'chid :P

[Azzadazza]

it is common to see african violets grown in tanks but as everyone else said you need airflow.

maby if you post a pic we can help with suggestions

[PhalNewbie89]

Well, I haven't quite done it yet because I wasn't sure how it would work out. but maybe I could draw up a picture or something. Right now the tank is at my parent's house but I plan to get it this weekend.

[PhalNewbie89]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far as well. I am so glad I found this site.

[PhalNewbie89]

This is a very rough sketch of what im thinking...and maybe one day I will put another orchid in as well.

[katrina]

I have a 55 gal tank I use to house several of my higher humidity plants during the winter.

I've included a pic to show the set up. Gravel in the bottom, full spectrum light in the hood and a small fan attached to back for air circulation. I've used it 2 winters now and it works great for me.

Almost forgot...I keep a small amount of water in the bottom to ensure the humidity stays up.

[PhalPal]

Very cool Katrina!!!!!

[katrina]

Thanks Connie!

[PhalNewbie89]

Thank you. I have some faith in my idea then. I will just get a small fan that can hang inside it to keep the circulation up. Thanks for all the help everyone. I will post pictures once I get it together...btw anyone have any ideas for getting the orchid to wrap over the rock without hurting it?

[solay]

That's a nice set-up Katrina. I have a large tank too that I was thinking of doing something with but just today my husband says he wants fish! Darn it!

Good luck. Phal Newbie. I'm sure you'll figure it out.

[PhalNewbie89]

Okay I have a new question. I noticed when I first got my orchid that the leaves were a little bit red on the tips and I thought maybe it was just the coloring but it has started to spread. I don't want my poor orchid to die..Any ideas?

[katrina]

You are very welcome PhalNewbie. As for the red tips...I'd be hesitant to take a stab at the issue w/out seeing it. Post a pic so we can take a look at it.

Solay...maybe he'll get tired of the fish and you can have the tank back. I actually have 2 tanks in the grow space...this one and the 75 that houses African Cichlids. I thought about getting rid of the fish and using that tank for orchids too BUT it does really boost the humidity in the room + the room just wouldn't be the same w/out the fish. Soooo....

[PhalPal]

Sometimes red tips can be a natural part of the coloring and sometimes it can be too much light. But...a picture will speak volumes.

I have never attached to a rock, but you can put a very small amount of moss over the roots and then attach the whole thing with clear fishing line. So it would be rock-roots-moss-fishing line. The moss would serve to add a little moisture but to mostly protect the roots from damage from the fishing line. If you wanted you can also pt some moss betweent he rock and the roots. There is no wrong way, as long as you adjust your watering practices.

[PhalNewbie89]

This one looks worse, the other I couldnt get a good pic of but it looks ten times better then yesterday so maybe it is getting better.



This is the light source for my orchid. It is in my bedroom with the blinds slightly open, didn't wanna give it too much light.

[PhalPal]

My opinion is it is not getting enough light. Are those tips soft and mushy at all?????? It doesn't appear to be the red shading leaves get from having too much light; it is something else but I don't know what yet.

Usually leaves don't 'get better', once they are injured they tend to stay that way.

[PhalNewbie89]

No, they didn't seem mushy to me, and I am beginning to wonder if maybe it is just the lighting sometimes because at some times it seem more brown and others a little less brown. I can't figure it out.. :P Other then the flowers beginning to wilt it seems to be okay but I don't know how long it has been in bloom so it could just be time for the flowers to go down.