Still need Orchid Advice!!! HELP!! - Orchid Board

Tindomul · #1 07-22-2005, 07:35 PM

Lol, I still need advice on what orchid to get for my vivarium. I was hoping to get a really little epiphyitic one. I just put a planter rock on the glass side of my vivarium so its waiting for a plant and I would like to put the orchid there with its fleshy roots dropping out over the rock.
At the same time, the more I learn about orchids, the more worried I get about temperature and ventilation. Should I just give up on orchids and go for a bromeliad????

Oscarman · #2 08-05-2005, 04:48 PM

Whew, finally a response!

Hope you did not give up on orchids.

How about something like Bulbophyllum vaginatum.
In nature it grows attached to tree trunks and limbs so it will grow well mounted on various substrates such as cork bark, driftwood and tree fern fiber. It requires warm humid conditions with light shade. Will grow well under fluorescent lights.

The leaves are up to 3" long and the pseudo bulbs are about 1/2" in diameter. The flowers vary from cream to yellow and look somewhat like mop heads.

Tindomul · #3 08-05-2005, 08:50 PM

Oh, that helps alot!!!! That one looks good. I was gonna give up on orchids in my viv, but not on orchids in total. I was starting to think that with a 29 gallon viv, i just didnt have the space.

Thanks.

andersonii85 · #4 08-06-2005, 12:21 AM

Hey-

I have been growing Bulbophyllum makoyanum for years in a terrarium and it has flowered many times. A lot of the warm growing bulbo's grow well as long as they have good ventilation- I put mine close to the air vents in my viv's.

-J

Tindomul · #5 08-06-2005, 10:15 PM

Whats your humidity levels?

andersonii85 · #6 08-07-2005, 12:47 PM

Depends- anywhere between 60- 90%. I stopped measuring it after a while. Just don't let the leaves or roots stay wet. When I mist the vivariums I make sure not to wet the orchid leaves. I also make sure that they are not directly below a light so they don't fry. I suggest finding a friend and ask for a small division. Try it out and get a fel for it before you go out and buy a whole bunch of expensive plants.

Best,

Justin

Oscarman · #7 08-07-2005, 07:07 PM

Hey Justin,

What types of lights do you use for your vivarium?

Tindomul · #8 08-07-2005, 07:11 PM

What do you mean by division?? A plant cutting??
Thanks.
Those humidity levels seem good for me. My viv currently provides between 50% and 80%, usually 60% without misting, and 75% with misting.

andersonii85 · #9 08-08-2005, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oscarman

Hey Justin,

What types of lights do you use for your vivarium?

Dave,

I use mostly compact fleurescents as they save money and put out a decent amount of lumens. They really color up my bromeliads well. I try to position the orchids so that they are getting bright light, but are not sitting directly under it. The bulbs can put out some heat.

-J