what to look for when picking out miniature?? TIPS/HELP

[PacMan]

Hey,

Well i am pretty new at this whole orchid thing. Ive been reading TONS and learns about water methods and lighting methods too and got a small list of orchids that i want to start with. I will be making a trip to pick out/pick up some new orchids for my new viv. The question is, What are some thing to look for when picking them out? Pick ones that are blooming? Just what some good general tips on picking out mini/orchids in general(if you can).

here is a list of minis that i will be looking at.
Gastrochillus calceolaris
Haraella odorata (retrocalla)
Masdevallia floribunda
Dendrobium atroviolaceum- Not to sure yet.

and maybe two or three jewels. They also have a really good selection of Dracula's, But i really not too sure which ones would do well in a viv.

its just a small list. But gotta start somewhere. So, Any tips/help would be awesome..and if you have any good info on some Dracula species that do well in vivs, dont be shy

thanks again
-James

[kavanaru]

I would add:

Dendrobium laevifolium (if in the intermediate Temps! and does very well mounted!)
Trichoglottis triflora
Bulbophyllum tingabarinum
Coelogyne schilleriana
Mediocalcar decoratum
Promenaea (any of them - could need cooler temps than in vivarium)
Pteroceras semiteretifolium
Porpax lanii
Neos and Sedireas (however, not sure about the vivarium)
Aerangis... (these guys seems to do great in Vivarium!)

and many more

[PacMan]

hmm awesome man..What should i look for when choosing them tho? How can i tell for healthy product. I know green is good, but lots of jewels and any of the darker colored leaf chids..what should i look for? Myabe something about the roots? stuff like that..

Thanks again.

[kavanaru]

just check for roots in good shape, and plants not dehydrated... no insects... and let your feeling play too if you have the feeling the plant does notgood healthy, just leave it... but if you are at a serious nursery, just discuss with the guys, the will then give you good advice... explain them exacty the conditions in your vivarium, and they will come with best suited plants

for the plants which are not green, just check the colours are "uniform": no weird decoloration patterns and so...

[PacMan]

Awesome, ya i kinda hand somewhat of an idea in what to look for, I have lots of plants, but no orchids yet. So, just want to make sure nothing funky is going on..thanks man.

What do you think about Dracuvallia..have really seen much info on that plant..Looks really awesome tho.

[kavanaru]

Dracuvallias are gorgeous hybrids but I cannot tell you anything about how to grow them.. I do not have Draculas and Masdevallias (except only one Masdevallia strobelli, with whichI am experimenting) as I cannot provide then with the right conditions..
I know that Ross grows Draculas in a vitrine, and I think also Masdevallias, but his vitrine is quite cool...

[kavanaru]

which temp range and light intensity do you have in your vivarium? that would help others to provide good tips!

[PacMan]

Well right now. its going to be running mid 70's to mid-high 80's( I am planning on adding some sort of fan) Lighting im running a mixture of 6700k and 3500k T-5HO's. I do have water running in the tank that is ran through a sump system, from which i can add heat or if i turn the heat off cool down the tank a bit. i also have a misting system. I hope that helps you guys/gals out some more.

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[kavanaru]

mid 70's to mid/high 80s is quite warm.. add some fans if you have not doen it yet, as air movement is very important for most orchids. This will cool down the terrarium, but not that much... so keep looking for warm growers!

I would advice to check each species you like in Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia in order to have an idea which conditions they need.

"a mixture of 6700k and 3500k T-5HO's" does not say much, as it could be almost everything... How large is your terrarium, distance between T5 and plants, Watts? , that could give a better idea, however the best way is to check the FC/luxes. If you do not have a luxometer, you can do it with your camera Light Intensity Measurement

[PacMan]

awesome bits of info man, the viv had dart frogs in it and thats why the temp is high right now, but they are no longer in the viv, i moved them to a bigger one. this Foot Candles thing is new to me, ill give it a try tommorow morning. The bulbs are 24 watt i think..they might be 39watts. Ill have to get back to you on that one and they are about 5 inch above the tank.