an orchid terrarium is a pure delight. Growing orchids is simple and enjoyable because they are aesthetically pleasing, and distinctive, and provide you with many creative opportunities.
It’s typically much simpler to adjust your orchid care regimen in a small, controlled terrarium than it is to try and change the environment of an entire room to suit your larger orchid plants. As an orchid grower, you have more control when you make an orchid terrarium because you can easily monitor and adjust crucial growing factors like humidity levels, light, temperature, and airflow.
You can also design your own decorative scene to display your orchids by making an orchid terrarium. The only real opportunity for creativity when purchasing a regular-sized orchid is in selecting the pot for the plant. However, you can stage an orchid terrarium however you like by adding driftwood, cork, tree bark, shells, moss, and even miniature sculptures.
There isn’t a better way to highlight your orchid and make it a special feature of your indoor garden, in our opinion.
To help you get started, we’ve outlined the 9 steps required to build your very own orchid terrarium from scratch below.
Follow the easy steps to make an orchid terrarium from scratch
Choose your orchid in step one.
The first step in creating an orchid terrarium is crucial. Unless you pick an orchid that will quickly outgrow its glass container, there’s really no way to go wrong here. Our best recommendation is to pick your favorite type of orchid and then make sure it can withstand low to medium light levels and maintain a healthy size.
It’s a smart idea to choose some filler plants to go with your orchid in its terrarium at the same time you choose your orchid. A few examples of plants that enjoy humidity and make excellent orchid companions include small ferns, ivy, and begonias.
Professional Hint: Orchids that are known to thrive in terrarium conditions include miniature phalaenopsis, vanda orchids, slipper orchids, jewel orchids, and cattleya orchids.
Pick a glass container in step #2.
Although there are many options available, picking a glass terrarium container doesn’t have to be difficult. Our best recommendation is to pick a case that complements your style and is neither too large nor too small.
Professional Tip: Before you start adding your substrate, soil, and plants, wash your glass tank with warm, soapy water or a diluted bleach solution to prevent the spread of disease and germs in an enclosed environment.
Add a substrate layer in step three.
Your terrarium can hold water with the help of a substrate layer without endangering your plants’ roots. You shouldn’t skip this step because root rot can be harmful to orchids.
Marbles, small stones, and eggshells are common substrate layers. Use stones that you’ve collected from a riverbed or outdoor garden, but first, wash them. A simple way to introduce bacteria into your orchid terrarium is to use stones with foreign organic matter on them.
Professional Advice: Don’t generally cut corners on the substrate. The substrate layer should be at least 2 inches thick, but you are welcome to add more and incorporate it into the aesthetic design of your terrarium.
Add the orchid potting mix in step four.
Instead of regular plant soil, make sure to buy an orchid potting mix. By combining peat moss, tree bark, and perlite, you can make your own orchid potting mix if you’re on a tight budget or looking for a DIY project.
Using distilled water, lightly moisten the mixture until it feels damp to the touch but is not completely submerged. Once the substrate layer has been covered, spread the potting mix over it, making sure to make it deep enough to accommodate the roots of the plants you are adding.
Professional Tip: Before adding your orchid potting mix, cover the substrate with a nylon stocking or piece of netting for a tidy, layered orchid terrarium. This will maintain the layers’ separation and permit ideal water drainage.
Set up your orchid terrarium in the fifth step.
Remove your orchid from its decorative pot but leave it in its plastic growing container so that you can plant and arrange it. The plastic pot makes setting up your terrarium much simpler because it enables you to experiment and troubleshoot.
Plant additional greenery around the orchid in the terrarium once you’ve located its ideal location.
Professional Hint: Cover your terrarium with moss to give it a polished appearance. It will support your orchid while acting as a vibrant accent.
Decorate your terrarium in step #6.
The enjoyable part is now! You can use a terrarium environment to showcase your skills as a gardener and an artist. Use miniature props to set up a scene, or adorn your terrarium with driftwood, cork, and tree bark.
Professional Hint: To prevent introducing bacteria to your plants, make sure to wash or sterilize any items you add to the terrarium environment.
Position your orchid terrarium in step seven.
Select a location for your terrarium that gets some light but not direct sunlight. Your plants may suffer if you place your terrarium in direct sunlight because the glass tank will intensify the sun’s heat.
A cold windowsill can be dangerous if your tank is nearby, so keep that in mind as well. The terrarium will become cold due to your glass tank, which could harm your plants.
Professional Advice: It’s best to locate your terrarium a few feet away from a window. In this way, the environment in your terrarium won’t be affected by changes in the outside temperature.
Step #8: Make the environment humid.
Maintaining ideal humidity levels inside your glass container is essential for the health of your orchid terrarium.
Add an inch of water to the bottom of your terrarium if your substrate layer is made up of stones or marbles. If you decide to use eggshells or add soil, regularly mist the terrarium thoroughly.
Professional Hint: When misting or watering your terrarium plants, use distilled water for the best results. This will lessen the possibility of introducing minerals or salt traces into the controlled environment.
Plant fertilization is step nine.
Use an orchid fertilizer to make sure your orchid terrarium is always healthy and produces large, plentiful blooms during the flowering season.
Our Premium Orchid Food formula is gentle so it won’t harm your terrarium plants or orchids, and it’s liquid, which is the best delivery method because it’s readily assimilated by orchids.
Professional Hint: It’s simple to use Premium Orchid Food. Maintaining your plants as usual after adding the fertilizer to your watering regimen. Enjoy your terrarium’s blooms after that. Just like that.
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