Plants for a 15 gallon orchidarium

[Thyroyalgeek]

Its all in the title, but some details, even still. The humidity rarely if ever goes below 90%, and temparatures generally stay around 70 ( I can change that if needed). I'm planning some pinguicula and tillandsias, not just orchids, so if you've got any good suggestions there gladly speak up. The mindset is epiphytic, but. semi-terrestrial is ok too. Something on the smaller side, nothing too tricky and if you'd like to, pictures pictures pictures......... BTW I'm new here, so hi!

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

There is an entire Terrariums forum here. Click on Forums in the left yellow menu, then scroll down to Terrarium Gardening.

If your terrarium is really 90% humidity most of the time, Tillandsias might not be the best choices. They are adapted to much drier conditions for large parts of the year. Some of the miniature tank bromelilads will like that.

[Thyroyalgeek]

Okay! I will lower humidity then, what do you suggest 65%? For you're other question though, this IS in the terrarium gardening section, at least I think so? I clicked on terrarium gardening and my thread was there.

[estación seca]

I meant you can read a lot about what does well in a terrarium in the other threads in this forum.

I see people growing Tillandsias in terrariums, but they are fresh-air, dappled-sun and breeze-loving plants. They don't grow in high-humidity, shady, moist areas in nature. Most are accustomed to big swings in temperature and humidity through the year. They often are quite dry during the day and wet with dew all night. If they stay constantly wet they often rot. Some probably do better than others in terrariums but I have no experience with growing them like this.

If your house has reasonable humidity and a sunny window, and you are willing to get them wet a few times a week, you can hang them from a curtain rod in the window. Soak them in water overnight in the sink once a week.

And keep copper away from bromeliads. Be sure your fertilizer doesn't contain copper.

[Thyroyalgeek]

I can set misting to only at night. How much light do you think tillandsias generally need?

---------- Post added at 09:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:00 PM ----------

Oh yeah, forgot to mention the mini-fan idea, with high humidity, would that work? I've experienced firsthand what high humidity and dead air can do...........

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[bjmac]

I have a Tillandsia ionatha, Tillandsia bulbosa 'Red Form'
and two other that I don't know the names of. My humidity runs around 70% with no fan. I manual mist once a day and they are at the top of my terrarium where the lights dry them out. Marcgravias are one of my favorite plants along with the mini orchids, also peperomias. Another great plant philodendron (mini red), it only gets about 4" tall. Good luck with your terrarium.
Mini red below.

[Thyroyalgeek]

Yeah my lights are strong. They'll get put up close to the top then! What types of mini orchids would do well in this sort of setup? I was think angraecum and/or some easier bulbophyllum species. Would this work??

[bjmac]

Glass Box Tropical has a lot of mini orchids if you have not looked at there site. Platystele umbellate, Encyclia polybulbon, Pleurothallis rubella, Platystele stenostachya, and Microsaccus griffithii are some of the mini that I have had good luck with and that have bloomed.

[Thyroyalgeek]

I'll look into glassbox tropical then, so thanks! Also I was looking at andys orchids and they have a great selection. All good reviews and everything, apparently he even calls afterwards to make sure the order is OK. Any personal experience with andys??

[Leafmite]

Many of the orchids in my collection come from Andy's. He has always sent me wonderfully healthy orchids. If I have had questions, I just emailed him and he always called and offered excellent help. He would probably even be willing to recommend orchids for you.

Another great vendor is Ecuagenera. http://www.ecuagenera.com/

They come to the US to attend shows frequently. On their website is a list of shows and the last pre-order date.