Adding Restrepia antennifera & Ornithocephalus manabina to terrarium??!?

[nzadro]

Hi there,

I have one Haraella Retrocalla I recently moved to a terrarium with my begonias.

It is a small space (12x12x18) and I thought I'd add some additional mounted orchids to the walls. (Running out of floorspace LOL)

I would like to add Restrepia antennifera & Ornithocephalus manabina, I think they would look quite attractive - but first I want to make sure they would thrive.

Conditions: Grow Light (single led 12 inch strip) on for 12 hours daily, temps between 70-77F, humidity 75-85%.

It *should* be ok, but have been finding conflicting information.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance
Natalie

[Roberta]

I don't grow the Ornithocephalus, so will leave that one to someone who does. I do grow Restrepia antennifera, with a larger temperature range. Summer lows are close to 70 deg. F for a month or two, most of my lows are lower. It should be quite happy with the high temperature, my concern would be how it would respond long-term to the relatively warm low. In the short term it certainly would be fine, you'll have to observe for awhile to see how it does over time, both in terms of growing (which should be fine) and blooming (the big test)

[nzadro]

Thank you Roberta.
The constant warm needs to be this way for my begonias, which are the primary purpose for this terrarium. As is their natural culture.
The orchid I am looking at purchasing is blooming size, I do not believe it has bloomed yet though.
Do you grow yours in a terrarium as well?

[Roberta]

I grow my Restrepias outside. So they get a much wider temperature range and humidity range. Summer temperature range is about 68-85 deg F, winter lows are consistently in the 40's F, occasionally a little lower with typical highs 60-75 deg F. So I know that these will tolerate a much larger temperature range (and much lower humidity with copious watering) but I don't know how much range they actually require. So with your controlled conditions, they likely will grow well... blooming you'll have to see.

[nzadro]

Ah that must be so nice to grow them outside in Sunny California. I can only dream of doing this in NYC. Snow last week, nearly 90F today. It is c-r-a-z-y.

I have seen some grow restrepia in terrariums and showcasing blooms. I have hope. The seller has also told me it should be fine - I sent him the same emailas my post.

[Roberta]

I look forward to seeing pix when they bloom.

[wisdomseeker]

Ornithocephalus manabina should do well in a terrarium.

I've had good luck growing these in terrariums (have been keeping several different varieties of Ornithocephalus and "manabina" has definitely been a very hardy plant).

Grown mounted, warm temperature range year round, fairly high humidity, bright light, and good air circulation. Blooms are long lasting ~ flowers throughout the year.

[nzadro]

Ah! Thank you for your response. I suuuuppose another orchid purchase is in order, seeing that it should do well in my similar conditions 😁