Hey, another Canadian! =)

I read in an aquarium book that you can seal pieces of wood with polyurethane varnish. Never tried it myself though, and I imagine you would want to let that dry THOROUGHLY before adding it to your terrarium. I don't know if that will actually stop the decaying process though. They will likely continue to rot on the inside, but they should still last for a few years. I didn't have any problems with small bits of collected wood in my terrarium for a year.

BTW, I also like to grow mini-orchids in my terrarium (as small as the one I have now is). Where are you in Canada? Who do you buy your mini-orchids from? I've gotten all of mine from Paramount in Calgary. They have a decent selection of species minis.

Hi Sahoyaref,

I've been lurking around these forums for about a year now and have been enjoying your terrarium advice. How is your new tank? I found some very cool pieces of bark and such that I am going to experiment with to creat texture in my background but have a couple I want to use as mounts.

I think they may end up spending a few hours in an over on very low temp to finish the drying process. The poly varnish should stop the process since it will cut off the oxygen. (Good idea)

I'm in Calgary and see Chuck and Byron about once a month. I've picked up Mini's from them as well as from the society and the special orders we do. I can't wait to see my Bollea and Comparettia's when Eucagenera is here in Sept.

You should come down for the COC and pick up some specials. There are going to be 30+ vendors here (some from the States and Europe) So I am saving my money right now.

Tem

Hi Tem. I would reccomend driftwood collected from a lake or river. This wood is usually more rot-resistant. I'd try going to a wilderness area where the water is very clean. I've been to Banff National Park and the water looked pristine. Good luck.

Well, my 'new tank' is just a 20 gallon fishtank so far; purely temporary. So it's not really a question of how it's doing or how much I'm enjoying it, because as far as I'm concerned it's just a storage facility. =) I did landscape it a bit, but it's nothing like my old terr. What is the COC? Calgary Orchid C_____? And when is it? I'm pregnant right now and the baby is due at the end of August, so if the COC is this fall, I don't think I can make it. =) I do want to make the drive next year though. My husband also wants to check out some aquarium stores down there, so we'll likely return to Edmonton much poorer than when we left. =)

Canadian Orchid Congress.

Unfortunately it sounds like bad timing for you. Its the end of September. (The last weekend actually). So this year might be out but next year could be good. Our show is always that weekend.