Orchids How To: Mini orchidarium, a glass case to set up

Phalaenopsis orchid species, seedlings just bought.

Phalaenopsis species and primary hybrids, seedlings:
Violacea coerulea , Bellina Ponkan, Equetris Apari,
Mariae, Pulchra, Hieroglyphica x Mariae,
Equestris aurea x Cornu-cervi flava,
Lueddemanniana x Fasciata

When I started growing orchids I didn't have a clear idea of the variety of species in this family of plants, only after reading everything I could find on the net, I started realizing it. The earliest species that I dared approach were phalaenopsis, I found on Ebay very interesting auctions and I attended. I won! I managed to have some young specimens of phal I studied for a while: violacea var. coerulea (Krulls Smith x Dark red Norton), bellina Ponkan, equetris Apari, mariae, pulchra, I also got interesting primary hybrids : hieroglyphica x mariae, equestris aurea x cornu-cervi flava and lueddemanniana x fasciata.

Mini Orchidarium, neoprene carpet

Since the relative humidity in the house is around 35 - 40% I was sure that these plants, much more susceptible of commercial hybrids, would be not so happy on the window sill, so I decided, orchidarium! Luckily here in Munich the prices of glass terrariums are very accessible, for mine, measuring 60cm long by 40 cm wide and 50 cm high, I paid € 49. To protect both the glass and the kitchen counter on which the terrarium rests I added a neoprene pad for aquariums bought in the same store, it also ensures a better temperature seal. To coat the interior walls and hang mounted orchids (!), I opted for "agglomerated" cork panels ,very cheap but aesthetically passable. On the wall by the side of the window I wanted to allow at least a little light comes in and, at the same time, avoid direct sunlight, so I cut the cork panel following an interesting curve, I like the result!

Mini Orchidarium,
coating in contoured cork

For the floor the initial idea was to create a true paludarium filling the base with 4 cm of peat and perlite very wet, as you do for carnivorous plants, but due to the temporary difficulty in finding some peat I gave up (for the moment! )
and I used some easy to find expanded clay, hydroponic kind. Before putting it in the tank I boiled for about 15 minutes and then rinsed well, when it dries I wet it again pouring water directly on the tank, this allows me to keep the relative humidity inside the orchidarium to acceptable values (min 65%, max 85%). The lighting was the most difficult part, the natural light is not the best since the window is about 3 meters far and at the direct sunlight is to be avoided not to burn the plants and not to overheat the environment. I read a lot on the net to get an idea of the light requirements of the plants that I have more interest in, phalaenopsis need low to medium light, but through the thumbnails orchids there is a variety of needs of light that can also be a "bright light" until a few hours of direct sun... At the end I decided to build up an energy saving lamp by my self.