New To Terrarium/Orchidarium culture - Guidance? - Orchid Board

Kirbalicious · #1 12-09-2016, 10:49 AM

Hello Friends!

I've been doing research on micro/mini orchids suitable for terrarium/Orchidarium levels of humidity. I've been left with a couple questions, and I'm not sure if you have a moment to point me in the right direction? I'll try to keep it brief and well defined, but I kinda get all gushy and talkative about orchids, so apologies in advance!

I will start providing photos as I get through the assembly, if needed/interested, or if theres a better place, but I'm trying to go through the planning/testing stage before I sink too much into species that I don't have a backup location to house them in, as my room air lacks enough humidity to support them without lots and lots of upkeep through the day.

I've loved orchids for a long time, albeit the commonly found varieties I grow on my plant shelves under artificial light, since my home is essentially a cave, haha! But once I started using that to my advantage, to control the precise environment my plants need to grow, it really got my mind whirling.

To preface these questions, I have the aquarium empty and ready to be assembled into an environment, and I anticipate setting up the hardware/water and monitoring things like temp and humidity in multiple zones before planting it, so I have a good idea of where the variation/microclimates might change throughout the display. so I'll have some solid data before I plant/zone it.

- I'm in the process of setting up a 55 gallon aquarium as something of an orchid specific vivarium, and orchid compatible plants. To get on with my questions, I have a nice sized sheet of hygrolon, eggcrate, picking up GS, and I'm trying to figure out the best way to attach most of these species to the hygrolon? I have some nylon suture material, but I've never much preferred mounting things prior to this orchidarium, opting for traditional pots/media, and hygrolon is relatively new to me, especially as a mounting media. most of what I've bought or toyed with has been cork bark or tree fern with a wad of sphagnum. Any tips on appropriate mounting with hygrolon?

- not orchid specific here, but I already had a nice chunk of Davallia Parvula, but I saw something I hadn't encountered yet, D. Repens, which I am absolutely in *love* with! however, I simply cannot find it *anywhere*, even under its other common names! Is there a source out there I am not aware of? haven't come across it on any of the boards/forums, ebay, glassbox, josh's, anywhereeeeee. Is there a super secret word or handshake to find it? How can I find it???

- in a relatively large terrarium such as the 55 gallon will be, (first, I know it means I am spending a BUTTLOAD of money on tiny plants, haha! my wallet actually cries when it hears the word 'orchid') I'm trying to control/anticipate what the microclimates will be. There will be a few gallons of water in the reservoir/false bottom, and I was anticipating keeping the water heated, probably somewhere between 75-80, to help prompt the uptake of water by the hygrolon. I have a nice fogging system that has a hose that will be plumbed into the lid and introduces the fog from the top of the tank, and I'm debating either a passive vent to ensure evaporation near the top, to keep that sort of capillary action drawing water up to the top as much as possible and using a circulation fan, hopefully creating a cooler but still humid microclime at the upper limit, or utilizing an active intake fan/exhaust fan combo at opposite ends to promote air exchange, reduce condensation, etc and have them run for a moment or two on a timer system at intervals if needed. Does that sound sane? the boards give me ideas, and then take away ideas, and the resources on air circulation are endless, and dreadfully specific in non specific ways haha!

- I guess I will have to see how the fogging, reservoir, and circulation/venting plays out and how water moves through the environment, but I don't think I'll need a misting system? i was looking at the MistKing when i came across the fogger, and doing some research seems to indicate that the atomization of the fogger is nice for avoiding heavy water on the leaves and/or blooms ("blooms", now thats how you know I'm an optimist at heart!

), but others say that misting/watering will be necessary regardless, but I'm not yet sure how damp the hygrolon media will stay yet, as I'm still mocking everything up.

- Also, in your experience, as I'm still learning about a lot of the mini species, so far I've had success with the culture of Lepanthes calodictyon x. tentaculata, Masd. Erinacea, Lepanthes telipogoniflora, and Physosiphon pubescens. any recommendations or suggestions beyond that? I've heard theres some small bulbos that do well in some of these environments, but I'd love to pick your collective brains on fun species to try, and/or where you think they'd do well- i.e. closer to the reservoir where its warm and more humid, or upper reaches, where its cooler, and drier?

- I have loads of aquarium plants growing emersed for other projects, so I'm looking forward to using them in a large display to fill in the edges and reservoir, and hoping for root filtration to keep the water clean, in addition to occasional draining to clear fert build up, but have you experienced any issues with algae outbreaks before?

- I have a 48in 4 bulb T5HO, what are your thoughts on photo period, and intensity? I had considered LED floods, given the depth, but opted to use my aquarium fixture for even illumination, and the timer built in already, with each pair of bulbs independently controlled. Do you think an 8-10 hour day, with both bulbs overlapping for 2-3 hours in the middle to pseudo-simulate a sunrise, noon, sunset makes sense?

I know this is a bunch os stuff to ask, but anything that can hopefully steer me in the right direction. I keep researching species/climates/temps, but its very reactive, usually I have to know what I'm looking for, theres less on cross species compatibility, or varieties that mirror their needs.

Thanks to all!