Orchids that do well in terrariums.

[Marty]

This thread is intended to help people get more into the orchids and to successfully introduce them into their terrarium environments.

Let’s compile a list of orchids that do well in humid terrarium conditions. Please post names, pictures, and specific growing conditions of the orchid. Any extra info that you can give, will be much appreciated, i.e. growing near an air vent, misted x number of times daily, relative humidity, temp, type of lights, etc. Please only post information if the orchid is really growing exceptionally well for you and if you had it in your setup for at least a few months.

Also, don't limit yourself only to orchids. A lot of people keep ferns, bromeliads, carnivorous plants etc. If you have a plant that is growing exceptionally well in your setup, oh do share it with us

[Tindomul]

Ok, ok, since I know you were asking me specifically, here is what I have:


Just kidding! I am very much a begginer and (thankyou for the spell check by the way) have set up a 29 gallon viv, that about 109 liters for those not familiar with gallons.

I have a Fittonia Juanita variety, which had done very well in my viv since March. I recommend it as a must have for anyone who doesn't know what to put in their viv, like me! I placed it at the highest elevation of the viv (thats right an awe inspiring 5" above the water line). Its planted in direct soil ( I used jungle mix by the way), and under about 1 1/2" of soil is an exoterra critter cave that helps keep the soil from getting water logged (it was a fear I had when I first built the viv). Fortunately the soil keeps moist but not wet. I keep the humidity levels at above 60%. And the light levels for this plant are the lowest in the whole viv. Yet it looks like my best plant.

The only other two plants I feel comfortable enough to recommend are Aroids. Anubias barterii, Nana variety, and Syngonium podophyllum, Arrow head. Both of these I am growing with their roots submerged, and leafs and stems well above the water. Anubias grows very nicely staying small, but very green. It has even bloomed three times. I love aroids!! The syngonium well, i grow that under sooo many conditions, that it should be ashamed at how much it grows. The only place it won't do well is in a desert and completely submerged, but even then they will live for months. Slightly longer submerged.

Hope this helps people some day, and here is a pic of my viv! Ignore the lucky bamboo, i cut it down, damned weed!! I hope thats not bad language.

[Tindomul]

There have been a few changed to the tank since the picture. There is now a nice fern in the back, and a Spathiphyllum, another aroid, replaced the lucky bamboo. The pilea is out of control, but not very pretty, there is a floating plant that I can't identify, but its way prettier than duckweed, and more managable. And the moss is greener and fluffier.

Thanks all.

Oh and by the way, here is a pick of that anubias in flower!

[daemondamian]

Originally Posted by Tindomul1of9

There have been a few changed to the tank since the picture. There is now a nice fern in the back, and a Spathiphyllum, another aroid, replaced the lucky bamboo. The pilea is out of control, but not very pretty, there is a floating plant that I can't identify, but its way prettier than duckweed, and more managable. And the moss is greener and fluffier.

Thanks all.

Oh and by the way, here is a pick of that anubias in flower!

Tindo,
was that anubias already growing emergent [above water] or did you just chuck in one that had been growing below water and it adapted with no problems?

I have heaps of anubias in my display fishtank- mostly coffee anubias, that would be great as part of the vertical viv I'm planning, but I wondering how they will adapt.

I know in nature they grow in areas that flood/drain and are used to being below/above/partly in the water depending on the season

[Rad3Dad]

Come on everyone,
Lets get this list going. I've seen a lot of your pics, having orchids in your vivs. Whats working for you?

I just started trying to grow orchids, so I don't have any solid advice to give. But I have some Cattleya intermedia v amethystina and Encyclia tampensis seedlings that I have mounted in a few different locations throughout my viv. Its only been a couple of weeks, but all seem to be doing good so far, and have noticed some leaf growth on a couple for sure. I'm really just experimenting with them though. I will definitely follow up and let you know how things turn out with them.

Marty,
I know you have had some success with some in your viv. Is the catt. the only orchid you have in there? Its hard to tell through that jungle. It looks like you keep the misters pointed away from it. After admiring your pics again, I found the plurothalid also. Do you know what kind of ferns are growing below it.

[flowerchild]

[QUOTE=Rad3Dad;955] Come on everyone,
Lets get this list going. I've seen a lot of your pics, having orchids in your vivs. Whats working for you?...]

Hi,
I've recently set up an orchid terriarium in the last 6 months and I've had really good luck with the bulbophyllum varities! I'm not quite finished setting up the tank, but I've already had 4 or 5 of them flower. I also have a few miniture cattleyas that are growing like crazy- but no flowers yet.

I purchased most of the orchids from Cloud's Orchids.

Some of the varieties that I have in the tank include:

Bulbophyllums:
-Bulb. Emly Siegrest-Elizabeth Ann x lasiochilum
-Bulb. longissimum
-Bulb. Wilmar Galaxy Star-lobbii 'Kathy's Gold' AM/AOS x dearei 'Elizabeth'

Cattleya Alliance Species and Hybrids:
-Bc. Maikai 'Louise' AM/AOS-B. nodosa x C. bowringiana
-Slc. Smile Again 'Hawaii' AM/AOS-Lc. Pink Favorite x Slc. Jeweler's Art

Vandaceous:
-Aerangis rhodosticta-syn. Aerangis luteo-alba

Pictures of the above in bloom can be seen at:
Cloud's Orchids
(I love their greenhouse visitation weekends, and they will ship to your door too.)

I've included a picture of my set up too.
Good luck with yours & enjoy!

[Bird Song Farm]

Flowerchild, that is one awesome terrarium. Congratulations, your work and dedication really shows. Makes me hesitate before posting my feeble attempt at one!
What size tank are you using?

Al

[flowerchild]

Originally Posted by Bird Song Farm

Flowerchild, that is one awesome terrarium....What size tank are you using?
Al

Thanks Bird Song Farm!!

The tank is a custom job using a much thinner glass than fish tanks that need to hold the pressure of water. I got it made for $200.

It's 5 feet long, 2 feet tall and 18" wide... i did a rough calc one time and it think it was around 100 gal.

I'm sure yours is not 'feable'... just probably a bit smaller.
Good luck with yours.

[sbgladden]

Very nice. How did you attach the moss, bark, etc... to the back glass?

[flowerchild]

Originally Posted by sbgladden

Very nice. How did you attach the moss, bark, etc... to the back glass?

There is acutally a wooden frame with a 1/2 steel mesh (like fine chickenwire) staple-gunned to it in front of the back glass.

From there i put down newspaper on my floor to catch any glue drips and painstakingly glued all of the bark and moss to it.

I did this so that i can hook smaller mounted orchids to the grid. For now there are only a few hooked on... but a few more trips to the greenhouse and that will change!

All in all, it think the effort was worth it.