How to Grow Ghost Orchids in Terrariums

Set up the terrarium. Use a large 10- to 20-gallon terrarium with lid to control humidity. Put the terrarium in a site with indirect light to protect the orchids, which burn in too much direct light. Lay 3 inches of peat moss or fern matter along the bottom of the terrarium as your base. The base doesn't support the orchid directly, but does hold moisture to maintain humidity in the system.

Place a piece of old, crumbling wood in the terrarium as your growing foundation. Lay the ghost orchid on the wood to take root, or secure it with a clip or tie. The orchid will root in the wood and produce root-like inflorescences, which grow up to 1 inch a month and eventually produce the flowers.

Spray the wood and orchid with water, then close the lid. The moisture will condense on the sides of the terrarium and then keep the system humid and moist. Water the wood and orchid again when this condensation disappears. Check for moisture once a week to keep the orchid from going dry.

Add water-soluble orchid fertilizer to the watering once a month to feed the orchid. Mix the fertilizer at 1/2 to 1/4 power, according to manufacturer directions, to avoid burning the orchid, and spray the wood directly under the orchid with this mixture.

Keep the lid on the terrarium to maintain still air, warmth and humidity, and keep the terrarium at 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.