Platystele stenostachya watch - Orchid Board

Pattywack · #1 09-12-2017, 11:26 AM

I have a Platystele stenostachya in my terrarium that is beginning to flower again so I'm on the watch for another amazing show of blooms. I love this Platystele, I've had it a few years and it has grown well from a tiny little plant with only a few leaves.

This morning while checking the progress of the buds, I see these beautiful little white mushrooms! I've had other mushrooms in this terrarium before though not like this trio. These are almost crystal sparkley white, cute little things. I have no idea where these came from, never seen them before but I'll enjoy them while they last. I assume they will be gone tomorrow.

The Platystele is doing well and hopefully will be covered in blooms soon. Here are the new mushrooms:

bjmac · #2 12-10-2017, 08:20 PM

I have just added stenostachya 'yellow' to my tank. Hoping it take off and blooms. Your hardscape and plants look great.

Pattywack · #3 12-10-2017, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjmac

I have just added stenostachya 'yellow' to my tank. Hoping it take off and blooms. Your hardscape and plants look great.

Thank you! This Exo Terra has been setup for a year and a half and I’ve enjoyed watching everything grow and flower. The stenostachya is a favorite of mine, I love Platystele. The stenostachya blooms almost constantly.

jcec1 · #4 12-11-2017, 05:34 AM

That is such a beautiful set up you have there. It looks great even without any blooms.

camille1585 · #5 12-11-2017, 08:17 AM

Beautiful terrarium! That white mushroom looks very nice in the middle of all that jungle green/brown. Is that a Den cucumerinum at the top of the second photo?

I've been thinking of setting up an Exo terra too, so I want to pick your brain a bit... What sort of lights are in it? And what's the size of the terrarium? Do you have a misting system or other in there? 1 fan or more?

Pattywack · #6 12-11-2017, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcec1

That is such a beautiful set up you have there. It looks great even without any blooms.

Thank you so much! I’ve throughly enjoyed this!

---------- Post added at 01:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:23 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by camille1585

Beautiful terrarium! That white mushroom looks very nice in the middle of all that jungle green/brown. Is that a Den cucumerinum at the top of the second photo?

I've been thinking of setting up an Exo terra too, so I want to pick your brain a bit... What sort of lights are in it? And what's the size of the terrarium? Do you have a misting system or other in there? 1 fan or more?

Camille, thank you! I’ve had a lot of fun with this and it really is no trouble. The mushrooms come up in the stenostachya almost regularly now after a good watering, they last about 12 hours. That is a Dendrobium cucumerinum along with a Dendrobium torresae and a Dendrobium lichenastrum on each side of the cucumerinum.

The lights are Exo Terra 26wt natural daylight cfl, there are 2 lights. I sometimes leave the front light off as the Platystele stenostachya and the Pleurothallis grobyi are fairly close to the top. They don’t need high light but do not show signs of too much light. With two lights it’s nice to have it more backlit at times. The terrarium is a small one 12x12x18, no misting system I hand spray once or twice daily. The passive air vents are the only circulation, no fan. I originally thought I would need one but it is fine without one. The temps are pretty much room temps...high 70s during the day though as the lights contribute to some heat. Our home is usually around 70. Nights are mid 60s. Humidity is mid 70% to 80% in the terrarium.

You should try a terrarium, I had as much fun setting this up as I do caring for it. The little plants when in bloom are so sweet! This sits in our kitchen and gets a lot of attention, everyone loves it. Our kitchen has a lot of windows so its bright and some direct sun hits the terrarium in the later part of morning. The terrarium is about 6’ or more from windows.

Hope that was of some help.

Leafmite · #7 12-11-2017, 01:48 PM

I love those mushrooms! They are just gorgeous!
Congratulations on your expected blooms!

bjmac · #8 12-12-2017, 11:03 AM

Patty did you make or buy the vines? The one in the first picture on the right is very nice. Also what are the two orchids at the top of the second picture? Saw the names of the orchids in the post above. Miss it the first time.

Pattywack · #9 12-12-2017, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjmac

Patty did you make or buy the vines? The one in the first picture on the right is very nice. Also what are the two orchids at the top of the second picture? Saw the names of the orchids in the post above. Miss it the first time.

Thank you. The vines were collected from a friends property here in Maryland. Aren’t they cool? I had to do some searching online to identify them. They are Bittersweet, an invasive species here. You don’t see it often but in areas where it grows it chokes out trees and sprawls like crazy. It kills a lot of trees! I simply cut some long sections of a vine into the sizes I needed and zip tied the ends for stability. I was a bit concerned the humidity might cause them to untwist.

There is a “shelf” on the back of the tank made with two sections of this vine but it’s hard to see with the growth of plants now. The vine you see on the right actually is bent and extends to the back left of the tank.

I’ll try to load an old picture from early stages, you’ll see the Bittersweet much easier.

charlesf6 · #10 12-12-2017, 09:37 PM

Man I think that I have that all over my yard here.
.........

Now I am in the mood for Chocolate