Orchids in vivariums/terrariums.

[Tindomul]

There's a new story entry added:

Orchids in vivariums/terrariums.

The Wardian Case is obviously the well known precursor of the terrarium, and it is of course the inspiration to today's modern hobby terrariums. In the past year I have attempted to grow tropical plants in these modern Wardian Cases. I have put in amphibians and called them vivariums. One day I realized that orchids might be an excellent vivarium plant. They have beautiful foliage, and equally fascinating flowers. After many months of researching the topic, I have come up with a list of orchids that may do well in vivariums, as long as their conditions are met.

[Marty]

Great job! I find that in my case it's quite tricky as my vivariums have very humid spots and drier spots. In general I find my tanks a bit on the warm side too, so few early orchids withered away (esp my lovely Dracula, which will be sadly missed). I noticed that once I moved my orchids to an area which is closer to the ventilation duct, and I moved the misting nozzle to just over spray the roots and not mist head on, things started to grow much nicer. Just recently my bulbophyllum bloomed...it bloomed for the first time, which made me very excited. Unfortunately I have never noticed the flower as it sort of bloomed below the plant... I did enjoy the resulting seedpod though, hehe.

[Tindomul]

Yes, I was kinda tired so I forgot to talk about how in one vivarium you will have humid wet spots, dry cool spots, warm bright spots, and shady spots, and any combination of the above. So one vivarium can actually have multiple areas suitable to many different orchids. For example, I got my Cischwenfia pusillia one 3 inches from the light source and its loving life there. In the same tank, on the other side I got my Haraella odorata about 8 inches from the light source and its being directly shaded by the computer fan. Here its loving life too. I hope to experiment with other locations for H. odorata. Its just too nice not to try.
So, who pollinated your bulbo?

[Marty]

No clue who/what pollinated it. Perhaps a stray fruit fly ??? No idea... Often times in a terrarium, even moving an orchid few inches will mean thriving or death. I noticed that when you first put an orchid into a terrarium you really have to keep an eye on it for a bit and see how it's dealing with the new environment, then if needed adjust accordingly.