My Masdevallia Terrarium...

[blueovalgal]

I purchased this terrarium January 2007 for my growing need to try and accommodate the cold-growing masdevallias I've been buying. Though I've rearranged the terrarium quite a bit since I've received it, the third photo shows what it looks like now.

The first photo shows what the terrarium looked like initially. Second photo should show the air duct from the window box fan to the top of my terrarium, which helps blow in the cool night air into my tank. The third photo is the current photo, and you can see the misting nozzles. (Received and installed that a few days ago and just love it!) The last photo shows what it looks like after the misting system had its fun.

Hope you like the photos. I'm totally enjoying my terrarium, and it's great watching the spikes/buds develop and not blasting.

Barbara

[esungirl]

Looks like the plants are doing well. It looks like fun. Good job, keep us updated!

[cb977]

Looks great!

[Tindomul]

THat Exo-Terra tank looks great with all those Masdies! Congrats. how do you control the temperature? What if it suddenly gets too cold or too hot outside and all that air starts blowing into your tank? I love the way it looks though!!!!!! We require a species list!

[blueovalgal]

"How do you control the temperature? What if it suddenly gets too cold or too hot outside and all that air starts blowing into your tank?"

We've experienced 80+ degrees days a week or two ago, and the masdies went through that okay. That was before the misting system was installed. So I misted the plants before I left for school and misted the plants again when I got back home. At nights, the temps dropped to mid-low 50's. I think I read in the Masdevallia book that, so long the temps drop at night, the plants can handle warm temps during the day for a while. I think that's what I read... I've been lucky, and the masdies have been doing well.

If my neighbors decide they want to barbecue, I'll reverse the direction the fan's blowing, if that makes sense. When the days are consistently warm/hot, I'm going to have my boyfriend move our AC unit to the bay window, and we're going to hook up the duct to that AC unit.

Here's a list of masdies I have in the terrarium in no particular order:

Masd. (bicornis x veitchiana) x 2
Masd. (coccinea 'Dwarf Pink' x amabilis)
Masd. agaster
Masd. amplexa
Masd. andreettana
Masd. asterotricha
Masd. bangii
Masd. barlaeana
Masd. erinacea
Masd. herradurae
Masd. infracta purple
Masd. mendozae
Masd. mendozae (yellow)
Masd. nifidica
Masd. strobellii
Masd. Sunset Jaguar 'Wildcat' AM/AOS *
Masd. Sunset Jaquar 'New Red'
Masd. Sunset Jaguar ' Nightbreed' AM/AOS *
Masd. Sunset Jaguar 'Regal Cat' AM/AOS *
Masd. Sunset Jaguar Red Leopard AM/AOS
Masd. White Angel

* in spike or bloom

I also have Masd. livingstonea on my orchid shelf with my phals, currently in spike.

Outside in my "run-down" shade house, I have Masd. coccinea, Masd. coccinea (Dwarf Pink HCC), and Masd. coccinea v. harryana. Of the three, coccinea is in spike right now, and I hope the spike will continue to grow and develop its spike before it gets too warm here.

Thanks for all your nice comments and thanks for looking!
Barbara

[Tindomul]

Nice list!! May you experience many colorful and simulataneous blooms!!!!!

[mnh3281]

Oh my gosh, I am so jealous! I definitely need to build something like that for my masdie's, as it gets so warm here in Indy during the summers that I typically have to baby them. You will have to post pictures of yours blooming! Great job!!

[smartie2000]

Im so jealous! right now I'm just using a 10 gallon aquarium and ice packs

[blueovalgal]

We thought building one, but after looking online, we decided to purchase an Exo-Terra tank. I love it to death, especailly the functioning doors. I purchased my misting system from the Mist King and love watching the system work! Though we've had the tank for a few months, I'm happy with it so far. Barbara

[raborchids]

i going to due the same, as you are doing. it just an 18 gallon tank. that the same size as your tank. i use it till i can save up to get one like yours