My Siberian Tropics

[Akhenaten]

Part I
Second part will be "Siberian Outdoor Tropics in Greenhouse" Siberian Outdoor Tropics in Greenhouse

I will repeat with the description of my terrarium
Construction. My orchiterrarium is made of a glass trading show-window. It dimensions is 80cm length x 50cm width x 130cm height. It is divided inside into 2 tight parts that the distilled water carnivorous plants did not blend whith the fertilised water for orchids. In a bottom of a terrarium two foramens for plum of waters. Orcid's part is had vertically, and occupies a back side of a orchiterrarium, the carnivorous part occupies the inferior horizontal part of a terrarium. They are divided among themselves by the glass septums glued by silicone.
Substrate. In a terrarium-part I use only pure longfiber peatmoss, a layer depth 15 cm. 5 years all my carnivorous plants fine grow in a pure peatmoss, the minus of a peatmoss is necessity to change it every year. In a orchidarium-part a substrate is the mix of a pine bark, charcoal and it is not enough moss.
Light. Osram L 36W/765 - 3 lamps (827), Comtech Fl 26 36/840 G 13 - 3 lamps (840) and Osram fluora 77 - 2 lamps. Lamps are had in two fixtures on 4 lamps, and locate from two sides of a terrarium, vertically. On terrarium top locate the third fixture containing of 7 - T4 28W lamps: 4 lamps a cold white light (840) and 3 lamps of a warm white lite (827). This is light enough for very well growing of Vandas. The pitcher of carnivorous plant is red inside.
Watering. I watering carnivorous plants with a distilled water, which I do by "Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Tap Water Purifier", water turns out good and already almost year of a plant grow on it well. I watering orchids with ordinary water, fertilizings. The ultrasonic humidifier is connected to an orchiterrarium through a hose. Humidity is sustained in him from 50 % in the afternoon, to 70 % at night. I have computer cooler 12 cm in diameter for an air circulacion iside.
Light, ultrasonic humidifier, cooler are power up or down by a timer.
Dormancy. I tried to create all pathes conditions for a dormancy of carnivorous plants, illumination decrease (it is easy for making) and a cold. To lower temperature in a terrarium, even after connection of a refrigerator it was not possible to me. Therefore I have simply moved all carnivorous plants requiring a dormancy to the tight plastic big container and have placed for 3 months in a refrigerator. After 1 month of hibernation in refrigerator they condition is very nice.

[Ross]

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing your tropics.

[Akhenaten]

Originally Posted by Ross

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing your tropics.

Thanks

[moogiemama]

That is fantastic! I am sick with jealousy! Your set up and plantings are really, really nice! Do you do this type of thing for a living? Your knowledge of construction and the selection of plants and their growing environment is top-notch. - Lynn

[Akhenaten]

Thank you!

[Ranchnanny]

Akhenaten
Love your terrarium especially the back wall which houses many orchids. Where do you get your orchids from being in Siberia . Do you have trouble keeping things warm?

TTFN - Sheridan

[snow]

graet job akhenaten.
what a great showcase and you are very lucky to get your hands on it
tell us more about you,re siberian orchid growing.it is always nice to hear from fellow orchifiles in the far reaches of the globe

[Paul]

Excellant job on your orchiterrium, Akhenaten!

[Akhenaten]

Thanks all.
I buy my orchids in the various tropical countries. I receive them by mail, through the Internet shops, from May till October, when at us +15 - +35 C. In January I have received 5 orchids, were -35 C in the street, I was lost one oncdium (has frozen to death), but others 4 sophronitis have survived, and now grow very well, it has not damaged by the Siberian frost.
Here on this branch (on a photo) I have planted them. I have placed this branch for nepenthes, but it slowly grows, and I have occupied it by sophronitis.
At home at me warmly and in the strongest frost can be +25 - +28 C? so frosts to me and house orchids are not terrible.

[moogiemama]

I find this absolutely fascinating! Your plants are so healthy looking and just the thought of you growing tropical plants in Siberia astounds me. Keep posting because your orchiterrarium is right up there with those I've seen in botanical gardens. Not to be nosy, but what is your background? Is this in your home or place of work? Thanks so much for sharing!