Orchids that do well in terrariums.

[Tindomul]

These sound good, but I don't know anything about the last two.
Please take pictures of the process and how they do!
We all want to see.

[amateurorchid]

Will do. I just found an aquarium that is 36"x12.5"x16".

How are you providing lights for the terrarium?
I am considering the following options:
Hydrofarm CFL - 125 W Daylight fixture and bulb for lighting. I thought it'll be too much for the plants. I wanted to hang them a foot above the terrarium. But My terrarium will be in a special place and getting the light to hang needs hooks up the ceiling and other things.

100W CFL - Screw-in types bulbs: Wondering whether I could go to Walmart and buy a couple of the screw-in type CFL 100 W Daylight bulbs and set-up a light fixture will two bulb holders and set them up just on top of the Terrarium.

Could you give me your opinion? The plants are all medium light plants. I am looking at 2000 fc light level.

Greatly appreciate your thoughts.
Srivida

[Tindomul]

Most low light orchids 1800 fc -2000 fc will do well under a 40 watt flourescent. Getting them to bloom might take more power. I believe what you want to try is good. Hanging them will help reduce heat. If you see that you are getting too much light, you can give them shade with other plants, or any other objects. I would go for the 100 watt cfl!

[RandalG]

For those interested I emailed Andy's Orchids about what orchids they would suggest for a PDF viv and here was their response:

Hello Randal,

Sorry for the extremely long delay in responding, but we have recently finished our spring shows, and are now trying to get caught up with my e-mail back log. Following is a listing of orchids that Andy feels will do well under the conditions you state. I hope this list helps. You should be able to find all of these on our website. If you have any further questions please let us know, and I promise I will get back to you quickly. Thank you for your interest in Andy's Orchids.

Orchids Listing for Dart Frog Vivarium 80+Degrees & Very Humid



Pleurothallis grobyi

Ludisia discolor

Malaxis species N. G.

Malaxis species Thailand

Masdevallia wendlandiana

Maxillaria uncata

Bulbophyllum alagense both forms

Pleurothallis tribulariodes

Haraella odorata

Vanilla planifolia

Trichoglottis triflora

Cirrhopetalum curtsii

Dendrobium abberans

Nephelaphyllum all species

Masdevallia floribunda

Dendrobium atroviolaceum "pigmy type"

Pleurothallis allanii

Sincerely,

Harry Phillips

Andy's Orchids Inc.'

Randal

[Tindomul]

Thanks Randal!

[R Srinivasan]

Over years with terrariums I have come to a conclusion that weneed to have obly those orchids which have ornamental foliage qnd slow growing ones that would spares you the tedious job of hold two long prongs to locate a strategic and visually appealing place inthe limited surface of a terrarium. Most of them belong to the jewel orchids group, such as Anoectochilus, goodyera, Hamaera, etc. etc. H. discolours is extremelt hardy and forns a dense clump od dark vela' roxburghii is irresistibly beautifuk but clusters sparselt. Goodyera and macodes from Borneoi and Indonesia are very good. All these need diffused light and round the year warmth which you may please note.

[capdale]

Currently, my favorite terrarium orchid is Trichosalpinx rotundata. This is an odd ball from Costa Rica. The leaves are perfectly round, about the size of quarters and cupped. The tiny flowers appear under the leaves in the cup. This actually makes sense because insects seek shelter under the leaves during the frequent heavy rains -- hence pollination! The flowers are near microscopic, but new leaves emerge a really lovely copper color that rivals many flowers. I am getting about one new leaf a week since putting my two plants in the terrarium. I am also having good luck with Lepanthes Calodictyon. This is very small plant that you see at shows for what seems like a lot of money for a plant that would set comfortably on a silver dollar. But now that I am getting lots of new leaves and flowers (tiny again), it seems worth it. I think both these plants meet R Srinivasan's criteria for good terrarium orchids.

[Tindomul]

Would just like to say that recent experience has taught me that miniature cattleya types take well to terrarium conditions. I keep two hybrids in a place where they get misted daily, and are attached to a foam background. They are very near to the light source, and well ventilated. They have shown that they like it by growing roots straight into the foam, in effect attaching themselves to the foam, and by blooming and putting on new growths.

[Tindomul]

I would also like to add in a separate reply, so it don't get lost, that Bulbophyllum dearei also does well. In the time that I have had it in my orchidarium, it has grown many roots, and a full grown new leaf. I've only had it since Sepetmber 2006, and it did not have any new growths coming in at the time.
I keep it in a relatively shady spot, a nook actually,which gets really humid. But it still dries out some when ventilation system (computer fan attached to orchidarium) is turned on. It has not flowered for me yet.

[terrestrial_man]

Hello Marty,
Are all of your terrarium images just thumbnails?