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Originally Posted by markr
Sounds like you've got some really good ideas and great advice. I'll simply suggest a little aesthetic consideration: instead of trying to cram so many different species into one space, how about focusing on just a few, perhaps some that contrast nicely with each other - say several low light specimens of one or two species for the bottom, and one or two high-light species for the upper areas. I think such a set up might highlight each individual species a little better and maybe look more natural. Doing it with the list of orchids you provided might run the risk of turning into a big jumble of plants with no central points of interest. I'm sure you could pull it off, but just something to think about.
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I was just thinking the same thing. My Orchidarium has a big jumble cause lets face it folks, I didn't know what the heck I was doing. Setting up large groups of the same species or related species I think is better.
Ross has given you excellent advice. Maybe I missed it, what is the size and shape of your terrarium that you are planning? Also, once you start doing the hardscape (this is going to be a naturalistic terrrarium right?) you will find you have alot more types of microclimates. One area is dry, others never get dry, other have lots of light, others are dark, and some get air movement, others don't. You should definetly build first, buy plants later.
I mist my tank every morning by hand and make sure I wet everything. That is everyone who needs water gets it. With an automatic misting system, you won't get that assurance. You'll have to decide wheather thats a good thing or a bad thing.
Most orchids will do well without sphagnum moss in the humid environment of a terrarium. Haraella odorata, however, like the sphagnum moss, especially if you put it in a drier spot of your terrarium.
If you incorporate a misting system, I would run it in the early day hours, and I would run fans in the late afternoon and most of the night (though not all of the night, it might get too dry).
Good luck.