My terrarium

[Marco]

Originally Posted by Ludisia

No reptiles, never.

They help with the fungus gnats . I don't have any but I imagine they would.

[daemondamian]

Ludisia that is a very nice terrarium and a good balance of function with natural design [the branches, mounting of plants].

The Gastrochillum calceolaris bloom is sooo cute too!

What is the perforated material at the back- is the 'open' for ventilation purposes?

Thanks

[Ludisia]

Thanks Damian

Because this is a standard terrarium, there are two aluminium plates at back and other at top. They are very usefull for ventilation. If I'll buy other terrarium some day, I ask to make aluminium plate only at the back. Then I've got more space for lightning.

[daemondamian]

Originally Posted by Ludisia

Thanks Damian

Because this is a standard terrarium, there are two aluminium plates at back and other at top. They are very usefull for ventilation. If I'll buy other terrarium some day, I ask to make aluminium plate only at the back. Then I've got more space for lightning.

Thanks Ludisia,
they don't lower your humidity too much? How are the plants going that you mounted on the branches with sphag moss over the roots? I've read that if the humidity is already quite high you don't need sphag as it will cause rot.

[Ludisia]

I think there are two (or three) different types of orchidarium – wet/moist and semi-moist. I haven’t found any artickles about this so this is only my humple opinion. My terrarium is semi-moist type – average humidity is 70-75% (variation 54-99%) I’m not sure if any of my ‘chids are growing well there – except Tolumnias. Dendrobium aberrans, Gastrochillus, Vanda-types and Saccolabium are growing plenty of new root and leaves, but Bulbophyllums didn’t grow very well.

So you have to deside what kind of orchids you want. Then you build best possibly orchidarium for them. I did exactly opposite.

I removed the automatic rainsystem and now I’m testing ultrasonic water fogger.

[Shadow]

Originally Posted by Ludisia

I removed the automatic rainsystem and now I’m testing ultrasonic water fogger.

Is it bad? Why did you remove it?

[daemondamian]

Originally Posted by Ludisia

I think there are two (or three) different types of orchidarium – wet/moist and semi-moist. I haven’t found any artickles about this so this is only my humple opinion. My terrarium is semi-moist type – average humidity is 70-75% (variation 54-99%) I’m not sure if any of my ‘chids are growing well there – except Tolumnias. Dendrobium aberrans, Gastrochillus, Vanda-types and Saccolabium are growing plenty of new root and leaves, but Bulbophyllums didn’t grow very well.

So you have to deside what kind of orchids you want. Then you build best possibly orchidarium for them. I did exactly opposite.

I removed the automatic rainsystem and now I’m testing ultrasonic water fogger.

Thanks for the information Ludisia, did you try setting the rain system so that it came on only once a day or once every few days so as to allow the plants to dry in between?

[Ludisia]

The Rainsystem did run well with three nozzles - once a day and 3-4 times per week

When I bought many new orchids, the nozzles didn't water all of them. So I had to still do it manually. If you plant your orchids mainly at the back wall, you can easily water them with the automatic rainsystem. But if the orchids are round the orchidarium, it is more complicated.

In my case - without setting up the hole orchidarium - I try to raise humidity with fogger and water 'chids manually. Now I've got one basic fogger in action. Still I must remove a water container a little bit, so it is under the lower fans.

You have to consider how often do you want to maintain your orchidarium - daily, weekly, monthly?

[Shadow]

I would add few more nozzles I think.

[Ludisia]

Yes, that is good idea too.
I can put it back some day

I'm learning more every day