🌸 Sarcochilus Fitzhart × Cherrie Dawn Care Sheet (Closed Terrarium Setup)
A compact and colourful hybrid, combining Australian resilience with bold floral display—ideal for high-humidity terrarium environments.
🔍 Quick Info
Type: Epiphytic hybrid orchid
Growth Habit: Monopodial, compact to medium
Size: 10–18 cm tall
Flowers: Rounded, showy blooms—often pink, white, or red with spotted lips or patterns. Bloom clusters form on short arching spikes
Blooming Season: Typically late spring to early summer
🌡️ Temperature & Humidity
Day Temp: 20–28°C
Night Temp: 16–20°C
Humidity: 70–90%
✅ Thrives in closed terrariums
💨 Needs light airflow (small vent or fan) to prevent rot and fungal issues
💡 Light
Requirement: Bright, indirect or filtered light
Natural Light: Near east- or north-facing window
Artificial: LED grow lights (10–12 hours/day)
❌ Avoid direct midday sun—leaves are sensitive to scorch
💧 Watering
Frequency: 2–3× per week
Water Type: RO, rain, or distilled water
✅ Keep media moist but never soggy
❌ Avoid water sitting in the crown—this can lead to rot
Mist roots if mounted, but allow some drying between
🌱 Potting & Mounting
Preferred Medium: Fine bark + sphagnum moss or orchid-grade mix
Potting: Small mesh pot or open basket
Mounting Option: On cork or driftwood with moss if airflow is good
✅ Good drainage and root aeration are essential
🌬️ Air Circulation
Crucial in closed setups—reduces fungal and bacterial risks
Use a USB fan or briefly open the lid every 2–3 days
Promotes stronger growth and blooming
🌿 Feeding
Type: Balanced orchid fertilizer at 1/4 strength
Frequency: Every 2–3 weeks during active growth
Flush: With clean water once a month to avoid salt buildup
⚠️ Extra Notes
Remove old blooms and dead leaves quickly
Avoid overcrowding plants in the terrarium
Watch for mealybugs and fungal spots in leaf axils
If leaves yellow rapidly, check for overwatering or poor airflow
✅ Best For
Bright, warm terrariums with stable humidity
Orchid collectors wanting compact and colourful hybrids
Intermediate hobbyists with some orchid experience