What orchids are easy to maintain solo & in vivariums? - Orchid Board

agoutihead · #1 08-16-2007, 11:49 PM

Hey guys, looking to get back into the dart frogs here soon.

I would like to set up a nice vivarium with a couple of different kinds of orchids.

But I'm a little ways off from setting up the vivarium. In the meantime, I would like to pick up an orchid to keep in my room, but I also want to be able to transfer this orchid to the vivarium when I get it set up.

So what orchids are able to easily be kept solo in a pot, and then also will do well when transfered into a vivarium?

CodiMN · #2 08-17-2007, 12:50 AM

Hi there and

welcome

to the board! What a great question! I know there are quite a few vivarium/terrarium growers here! If someone doesn't pipe up, here's the link! http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ium-gardening/

Good luck!

markr · #3 08-17-2007, 03:42 AM

Most miniature warm-growing epiphytes will do fine. Mini Phalaenopsis, Angraecum, and Aerangis are all good groups to look into, most fairly easy to grow. There are many others, some more difficult.
You'll need to think about providing good air movement in an enclosed growing space, an essential requirement for long-term health of the plants. Most people use small DC computer fans which are very cheap but AC fans that you can plug directly into the wall are easy to find too. Check electronics stores.

agoutihead · #4 08-17-2007, 10:36 AM

Ok, I'm not too sure of the technical names, but I would prefer the following kind of orchid, (or something very similar to that color pattern...

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...30&ppuser=1427

Is that one easy to maintain and then be able to be transfered to a vivarium?

Is it part of the grouping you posted above?

cb977 · #5 08-17-2007, 10:40 AM

The picture you referred to is a Phalaenopsis.

Some 'chids that would do well for you would probably be Phal lobbii, Phal parishii and Haraella odorata.

Here's some info on the three of them:
IOSPE PHOTOS
IOSPE PHOTOS
IOSPE PHOTOS

I'm sure there are more that our viv-keepers can suggest

Tindomul · #6 08-17-2007, 10:45 AM

Remember that many orchids that do well in the vivarium are high humidity lovers. So when you get them, you will most likely find them potted or mounted in loads of sphagnum moss. Once in the the viv where humidity often goes above 80%, you can take some moss out, especially if it stays wet all the time in the viv. I would also suggest the three Sue suggested. I also seem to have luck with growing Bulbophyllums both in and out of the viv, as well as Masdevallias, if you can provide cool enough temps in the viv.

agoutihead · #7 08-17-2007, 11:07 AM

Someone else suggested a mini Phalaenopsis

that one I posted was just a regular Phalaenopsis and not a mini?

Are the regular ones not as easy to maintain as the mini's?

I do like those pics you posted, but these Phalaenopsis are probably my favorite orchid thus far.

What are the chances of one of those doing well in a viv?

so when it comes to Phalaenopsis, when they have that particular body style, but different color patterns, are they generally all Phalaenopsis?

agoutihead · #8 08-17-2007, 11:14 AM

wiki says this about those...

Most are epiphytic shade plants; a few are lithophytes. In the wild they are typically found below the canopies of moist and humid lowland forests, protected against direct sunlight, but equally in seasonally dry or cool environments. The species have adapted individually to these three habitats.

So these particular kind can be in humid/moist enviroments as long as their roots & stems have a chance to dry out and not rot?

it also goes on to say...

They bloom in their full glory for several weeks. If kept in the home, they usually last two to three months, which is considered quite a long time.

I thought I have seen them bloom all year round? There is a chinese shop at the corner of my street and they have dozens of orchids of that kind I like with tons of flower heads on them, and they have been in blossom for much longer than just a few weeks.

So how long can I expect them to stay flowered for?

Will they grow back or do I need to keep buying a new one so that I can enjoy them in blossom all year round?

cb977 · #9 08-17-2007, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agoutihead

Someone else suggested a mini Phalaenopsis

that one I posted was just a regular Phalaenopsis and not a mini?

Are the regular ones not as easy to maintain as the mini's?

I do like those pics you posted, but these Phalaenopsis are probably my favorite orchid thus far.

What are the chances of one of those doing well in a viv?

so when it comes to Phalaenopsis, when they have that particular body style, but different color patterns, are they generally all Phalaenopsis?

There are a number of mini Phals out there...they won't all look like the one you like but there are a few.
A regular Phal would, in my opinion, get too large to be later transferred into a viv.

You want to get small plants or "miniatures"...
check out Andy's Orchids - Orchids Species - Orchids - Species Specialist - Orchids on a stick for some ideas.

Ooops, just saw your addition to the post

There is no set time frame that an orchid will stay in bloom, it depends on the conditions you have and the way you grow them. With the proper culture and a little luck, you will get them to re-bloom. Some bloom more than once in a year and others are one show per year. There's a very large variety and with that comes a very large difference in their attributes. It's part of the fascination with orchids

agoutihead · #10 08-17-2007, 11:27 AM

Thanks I will check those sites out throughout the day.

So the only real problem with keeping regular phals in a viv is that they get too large?

What if you compensate the tank size for this?

Have it nice tall like 30" high and 30" wide?

I was thinking about putting a couple of different kinds of phals in a viv, but if I'm already pressed for space as it is, I would just like to get one species that blows my mind in looks.

I would also probably get a couple of other miniture species as well, the more kinds I have the better it would be, but I am just IN LOVE with those phals!

If and when I'm looking for a regular Phal, how can I tell if it will bloom all the time, or just once a year?

How long is the time between when a flower dies and reblooms genereally?

Sorry for all the questions... I'm totally new to orchids, but just know that they are my favorite flower.

Well them and passion flowers.