The 'Mega Terrarium'

One weekend my parents were out of town.  I was not yet old enough to drive, though my friend Darren was and we used his car to drive for materials.  The goal of the weekend was to build a terrarium in my room, one so big that I couldn't disassemble it easily if my parents disapproved.

It wasn't until over a decade later that I ever took on the challenge of making a larger terrarium.  The intent was to make the largest glass box, that I'd also be able to move in a few years, possible and grow miniature orchids in it.  After a few fortuitous events, and a summer spent in Panama thinking about it, I began construction.  

The stand was built with assistance of a friend in my department.  The glass tank is 36" long, 24" deep and 48" tall.  The cork was placed to mimic two trees, with some branches made of driftwood to provide ample planting space.  The fan system I designed so there was strong air flow and exchange.  Every element of this terrarium was designed so there was minimal maintenance involved.  

The International Bromeliad Society meeting was in New Orleans just a week before I started planting the terrarium which provided me some nice specimens.  

A large orchid order showed up shortly after. 

Over the course of several months the 'Mega Terrarium' matured and the plants grew in, all with very little help from me.

The result of this growth has become something I'm proud of.  Many plants have flowered, and continue to do so.  The moss has covered spaces I hadn't even placed it in.  Slow growing plants have started to reach their stride and it's a pleasure to wake up to this terrarium every morning.