Which orchids for my enclosed setup?

[MermaidNat]

Hi everyone,

I have a 36x18x24 inch ExoTerra glass terrarium with LEDs that I've decided to devote to orchids. This enclosure is in my converted attic office, so I should be able to experience some good day/night temperature differences. There are so many orchids to learn about, and I'm just starting out! I think my biggest constraints will be temperature and height, as the terrarium won't allow for super-tall flower spikes. Relatively compact orchids may be best. Can you help me pick the best genera for my parameters?

The tank will have multiple levels of egg crate.

Light output: ranges from 20,000 Lux (at the top) to 3,000 Lux (near the bottom).

Humidity: around 50-70% with current pebble trays.

Temperatures: 85/70F (summer) and 75/60F (winter)

[Kilmiquix]

Hi!.If you scroll down towards the bottom, you will see an forum dedicated the Terrarium growing. There are pins there for orchids that work I. Terrariums. You can get lost in those threads!

[MermaidNat]

Thanks for replying, Kilmiquix! I have seen those threads in the terrarium board. I'd like to do potted orchids rather than a naturalistic enclosure, so many of the restrictions described there (eg, plants that are high-humidity and tolerate misting) won't apply for me. Mainly I'm wondering which orchids are most compatible with the temperature and light ranges my setup gives, as well as staying under 2 feet tall.

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[Kilmiquix]

Hm. Can't help you with that, but I'm interested in the answers you get. My exo terra 18x18x24 arrived last weekend. Good luck!

[MermaidNat]

Thanks, and I really appreciate your answer. :-) I look forward to hearing more about your setup!

[Kilmiquix]

I look forward to hearing about my set up too! Lol! I know that i want a naturalistic vivarium. I just can't seem to make decisions past that!

[mere_dog]

MermaidNat, do you have any current experience with orchids? Let's start there. I have set up a closed orchid environment, but you also need air movement - it is not just light and humidity.

Your temp range is narrow, compared to what a lot of orchids prefer for blooming (+/- 20 deg).

A closed environment for a true beginner can be tricky, and you won't find those kinds of orchids at your local store. I personally wouldn't recommend any specific orchids unless you have some experience.

Orchid terrariums look pretty, but there's a delicate science at work. Not to discourage you - that's how we all learn. I DYI'd a computer fan and aquarium pump to create a natural microenvironment. So I get your vibe ;-)

What orchids do you have?

[MermaidNat]

Hi mere_dog, thanks so much for your message. I'm eager to learn and have been trying to do as much research as I can about what plants I have so far. I'm not new to plants in general and keep tropical houseplants, bromeliads, and tillandsias. However, orchids are a new group for me.

To answer your question, I do have a fan on the tank (a Zoo Med Aqua Cool, which is typically used to cool SW aquariums but it does the job). I also removed the mesh lid from the tank, because the mesh greatly reduced the light readings in the tank. Humidity is accomplished by pebble trays kept on the bottom of the tank. So the setup is not fully enclosed.

Through local sales and nurseries, I have the following orchids:
- Angracecum leonis
- Phal. bellina var. alba
- Sarcochilus Snow White Grumpy x Snow White
- Paph. makuli-curtisii maudiae x maudiae Napa Valley
- an unknown nobile Dendrobium from Fresh Market
- Pot. Triple Love 'NN'
- Dendrobium fuchs blue twist x compactum
- Mtssa. Charles M. Fitch "Izumi"
- Brsdm. Nittany Gold "Dr. John"

I realize some of these are too large for the setup and will likely be swapped out to other local enthusiasts. If I had to concentrate on moving forward with one type and providing the correct husbandry for them, I would choose Phals.

[MermaidNat]

P.S. this was the setup before I disassembled it for orchids. All of these plants have since moved on to other enclosures.