February 14, 2012

A change of plans in the terrarium

A couple of weeks ago I posted about my new terrarium, which still appears to be a healthy little ecosystem. But I had to make a slight change. After reading up on Phalaenopsis Orchids, I realized mine would be much happier outside the terrarium with more air circulation. The challenge: once again, keeping the cats away from the plant. The solution: a cage I'd been using to keep the cats away from my candles.


Removing the Orchid from the terrarium meant I needed a focal point to take its place. After plenty of "research" on Pinterest, I decided to go with a small gazing ball. (Actually, it's a repurposed Easter egg decoration, but you'd never know, right?) In any case, it fills the spot quite well.

BEFORE

AFTER

WITH GAZING BALL

Plus, now the Orchid is free and I can have a closed terrarium!


But now I need another cage or terrarium for my new Cyclamen plant. I don't want the cats to eat this beauty.



(Happy Valentine's Day and Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day! And thanks to Carol at May Dreams Gardens for hosting the bloom day theme.)

44 comments:

  1. I love the cage and gazing ball! Great choices!

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    1. Thanks! So far the cage seems perfect for the Orchid. And it's fun to see the slight shifts in the terrarium plants.

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  2. Your terrarium looks great...very lush. I can see why you'd want to protect that Cyclamen...it's beautiful...such a lovely pink.

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    1. Thanks, Bridget. I love Cyclamen plants. This one will be a houseplant, but I've been trying to find a hardy one that will survive winters in zone 5.

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  3. I think the replacement is lovely. I'm glad your terrarium is doing well.
    I was looking thru the last couple of posts ~ I hope you get a water feature! You have a beautiful garden for one.

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    1. Wow, thanks Kathleen! The concept of a water feature is appealing, but I'm not sure I'm ready for the maintenance. Thanks for the tips on indoor photography--I'm having fun with natural light.

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  4. I love the gazing ball in the terrarium; you've given me a great idea....if I ever get around to fixing up my terrarium:) The cage for the orchid is so pretty, too; who would guess it had such a useful purpose!

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    1. Thanks! The cage actually came with a candle holder, but it seems to work for plants too. Please keep me posted on your terrarium, Rose!

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  5. I love the gazing ball! What a smart solution! Good luck keeping your plants caged! I know how persistent cats can be!

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    1. Yeah, the stories I could tell about the cats and plants...and floral bouquets! Thanks!

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  6. Terrarium bardzo ładne, a pomysł z klatką na kwiatka jest świetny i ciekawie to nawet wygląda. Pozdrawiam. *** Terrarium very nice, and the idea of a frame in the flower is great and it even looks interesting. Yours.

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    1. Thank you, Giga! It seems perfect for the Orchid. Hopefully, it will survive now. :)

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  7. Replies
    1. Thanks, Donna! Necessity is the mother of invention, right? ;-)

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  8. I have followed your posts about terrariums, and I want one myself! In fact, I am going to make two for myself and two for my son, and then we can see if my son's or mine will survive the longest....he doesn't know about the gift I am making for him, but he does have some plants already so this one should be an easy one to take care of. Have bought a few containers today, will hunt for suitable plants tomorrow. I can see a post coming up on this topic in the near future :-) Thanks for the great instructions, yours looks gorgeous!

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    1. I'll look forward to your posts, Helene! What a wonderful gift for your son, too! It is so easy-care--especially now with the Orchid out of it. Cheers!

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  9. Your terrarium looks beautiful...still! My orchid is sending up shoots to bloom. I look forward to seeing them...first time I have overwintered one.

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  10. I am fascinated with the cage! Almost as beautiful as the terrarium itself! I'm always hopeless with indoor plants Christina

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    1. Indoor plants are not my specialty either. But I have to blame part of it on the cats! One plant I will never try again is African Violets. I absolutely LOVE them and my grandmother always had an apartment full of them. But they don't like me. ;-)

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  11. Lovely images, particularly of the cyclamen. The caged orchid looks rather wonderful.

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    1. Thanks, Janet! It will be interesting to see how long I can keep these plants alive. :)

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  12. So creative. The glazing ball seems like such an appropriate addition. I have those mini orchids and never thought to make a display with them. You gave me an idea.

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    1. Thanks, Donna. I think I like the mini-Orchids better than the large ones. They're so compact and delicate.

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  13. Your cyclamen is really sweet. I love this shade of pink. Here, we usually hang our orchids. I had to smile when I see your orchid in a cage - it reminds me of tweety bird and Sylvester, the naughty cat ;D

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    1. Thanks, Autumn Belle! It's one of my favorite shades of pink, too. Good comparison with Tweety and Sylvester!

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  14. Very very pretty. You've obviously done your pinteresting research well! :)

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    1. Thanks! You're the one who started my Pinterest addiction. ;-) I'm glad you did--it's so much fun, but I wish I had more time (I know, just like everyone else).

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  15. I have never tried a terrarium, and I do understand about keeping out of the cat's hands! What a beauties the orchids and the cyclamen, is one of my favorites for color in winter.

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    1. Hi Lula: I agree, the colors are very cheery this time of year. This is the first time I've had an Orchid, but I've always loved them.

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  16. The gazing ball looks great, what an inspired idea! I am glad you found a way to keep your orchid happy, I am sure you will figure something out for the cyclamen too.

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    1. Thanks, Masha. I'm learning so much about terrariums. Stay tuned! :)

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  17. So your cats eat your plants? Boo is too lazy to do that to mine, LOL. Do they like cat grass instead?

    OBTW Whoot whoot to another word verification free blogger!!

    Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

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    1. Well, Oreo eats just about anything--including plants. And Ginger...well, you never know what HE will do. I tried cat grass once, but then I found bits of it around the house. Re: the word verification: The new system just went too far. I'm thinking this should work just fine because I'll be checking comments before I post. :)

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  18. Beautiful! Your terrarium looks like a mini-jungle. I've never grown an orchid. Knowing me, I'd probably knock the whole thing over. They're safer at your house! :o)

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    1. Thanks, TS! Both are doing just fine so far. I've had a few minor issues with the terrarium. But for the most part, it's the easiest-care "garden" I've ever grown. :)

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  19. Great idea! Why do I never think of these things????

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    1. Thanks! I know you have some pretty amazing ideas, too, Karen. Actually, this was a pretty simple one--I had to protect the Orchid, I had the cage, voila!

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  20. Ahahah! I see you also have some problems with your cats... :) Though you have solved them really smartly, love your imprisoned orchid!
    Moreover I'm more and more interested in your terrarium... Really.

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    1. Yes, cat problems is a good way to put it. Thank you for your compliment, Dona. I am continually fascinated with the terrarium. I don't know why it took me so long to start one. Stay tuned for more terrarium news. ;-)

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  21. A caged orchid. Sounds like a good book title.

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  22. Your terrarium looks fresh and vibrant in just the green tones with the blue ball contrast (clever re-use ;) ) Cats certainly bring out your creativity

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    1. Thanks, Laura. It's keeping me entertained during these gray winter days...as are the cats. ;-)

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