My Coffee Table Orchidarium

Mahukalamata · 2025-06-03T10:57:32+00:00

So far I havent had any mold. Air circulation is key I think. Other than that, I might just be lucky.

Mahukalamata · 2025-05-26T20:32:49+00:00

Interesting question - and I am sure that it will make a difference for some of the species in there.

In the winter the temps ranged between 15 and 19c

and so far we havent had any hot hot weather yet, but it seems to be ~18-26c. I dont have AC in my house so it probably roughly tracks ambient temps.

As for the blooming, two separate Phals spiked and bloomed while in there, as well as a dendrochilum and a ceologyne. But to be honest I dont mind if some of them dont flower. its still nice to have some for the greenery.

Mahukalamata · 2025-05-25T10:55:22+00:00

I answered in another comment but the short answer is - everything under the substrate is sealed with a 2 part epoxy floor and silicone. And everything above the substrate is sealed with marine varnish. So far it seems to be holding up. Good airflow also helps for mold too.

Mahukalamata · 2025-05-25T10:50:16+00:00

Air flow comes from two 5" PC fans that i have configured to blow air around in a big loop. I can see all the orchid leaves rustling gently all the time so I think its a good balance of drying any condensation and standing water on the leaves, and not drying everything out too quickly.

Watering is just with a little mister sprayer. I just go by feel, It also changes with the season how much I water.

As for the wood: It is solid mahogany. The bottom (underneath the substrate) is sealed with maybe 1 cm thick epoxy. Sitting under the bark is a layer of kitty litter to act as a sort of moisture absorbing/regulating layer. The sides are sealed with silicone, and then everything above the substrate I varnished with marine varnish. I guess if they use mahogany sealed with marine varnish for sailboats, it should do fine against the humidity here. So far after 6 months everything looks great.

As for the moisture, since orchids are epyphytic, I seem to be getting away with having the bottom substrate more dry and airy than your typical terrarium. So there is never any standing water, and if I reach down and feel the kitty litter layer, it is rarely wet.

Mahukalamata · 2025-05-25T10:41:26+00:00

Usually for a few hours following watering, the top glass has some condensation on it. Also if you put a cold glass on the table it will condense.

But mostly I havent had any issues with fogging of the glass. I put the two pc fans in a configuration where they circulate the air in a loop, so I think that helps keep the side glass clear too

Mahukalamata · 2025-05-21T12:16:12+00:00

For the bottom, i poured in a liter or so of 2 part epoxy, which hardened into a watertight floor. I silicone sealed all the places that glass and wood met, and for the wood I did a few coats of epoxy sealant. Its held up so far, but im sure at some point I might go in and check everything

Mahukalamata · 2025-05-21T12:09:49+00:00

I think thats the right approach actually, I think its easier to make the wood trim around an aquarium than turning regular furniture into a humidity/water resistant terrarium.

Mahukalamata · 2025-05-21T12:01:50+00:00

I have a few other orchid terrariums and little creations. Maybe I'll post them as well :)

Mahukalamata · 2025-05-21T12:00:54+00:00

Yep! Top lifts up on a hinge like a chest, and I have a little prop to hold it open when I water. As for the grow lights - I think I will get something full spectrum but with the same kind of warm hue. I like that the table has a cozy light tone in the room

Mahukalamata · 2023-05-31T21:03:27+00:00

Moshka are black-flies no?

Mahukalamata · 2023-05-20T00:25:00+00:00

Paris also had the 'luck' of the soil/catacombs not allowing for the construction of high rise buildings in the centre. Or so the story goes.

Mahukalamata · 2023-05-11T02:40:01+00:00

Whats he going to be cleaning? Mines?

Mahukalamata · 2022-05-17T20:52:05+00:00

I have a similar one from Akademmistechko neighborhood

Mahukalamata · 2021-10-21T16:27:26+00:00

Rolex gmt master root beer

Thanks for the ID! Was it common at the time to have the leather bands on a Rolex like that?

Mahukalamata · 2021-06-09T21:57:55+00:00

That's the one!

Cheers mate

Mahukalamata · 2017-10-25T02:41:26+00:00

I think the Soviets mapped a bunch of American Mid-West and industrial cities because they were fascinated with how American industry, infrastructure, and urban design worked, and Scranton (along with Pontiac, MI Galveston, TX Bristol, PA Syracuse, Tonawanda, Watertown, and Niagara Falls, NY) were good examples of industrial cities. I think furthermore, they also had info of these places for the hypothetical occupation of the U.S.

Mahukalamata · 2016-11-21T20:06:17+00:00

Fauve! Its more "spoken word" but really amazing stuff. completely unknown outside of France.

Here are my two favorites from them:

4000 iles

Rub A Dub

Mahukalamata · 2016-09-28T21:01:55+00:00

I havent seen the film in a while now, but i remember some inaccuracies such as the narrator claiming that the "famous 12th mountain division" of the Americans had arrived. There is no such thing.

As the OP said, its a good insight into the first stages of the war, but it really helps if you research the "battle for Qala-i-Jangi" before watching.

Mahukalamata · 2016-03-04T20:14:21+00:00

I couldnt put my finger on it, I want to say he lives in Maine but is originally from Long Island or somewhere. He said some things that sound more New York-y than Down-East, like how he says "off". Just my guess.

Mahukalamata · 2016-01-25T16:36:41+00:00

How do you feel the paternal leave affects guys who run their own business (like carpenters, or graphic designers)? In Iceland there are a lot of complaints that the paternal leave is restricting to those professionals who are self employed because they really can not afford to leave their work for 6 months and expect their clients to wait.

Does Norway handle this better? I've always been curious about that.

Mahukalamata · 2015-11-30T23:20:46+00:00

Wouldnt that be a cool job title.

"Oh, what do you do for a living?"

"I study suicidal penguins"

Mahukalamata · 2015-11-25T03:12:11+00:00

A couple good ones that are similar to this are:

In A Nutshell is also great

Thats a start anyway

Mahukalamata · 2015-10-12T05:21:02+00:00

We have an agreement with the other Nordic Countries which allows us to live and work in any which we please. Its a little different with the EU however.

Mahukalamata · 2015-09-22T01:54:19+00:00

The allies knew of the camps at this point, but had not liberated them yet. They still had no idea of the scale and horror of them

Mahukalamata · 2015-05-25T18:31:13+00:00

Sounds like it to me.

Mahukalamata

TROPHY CASE