Nano Viv Terracotta Tubes - Erin Pottery

[gmdiaz]

Originally Posted by Magnus A

Hi

You need to find non glazed terracotta but, at least in Sweden, there is sometimes a wax-treatment that make terracotta waterproof . There are smaller tubes of a white ceramic that is sold in Europe that works great


Yes I have one of the drainage pipe but no pictures jet. I will though make sure to take some during the development of my project.

One problem with the drainage pipe that is not mentioned to often is that a lot of them leak TO much and is of no use. The water should just penetrate and form small drops on the outside. My experience is that most of this pipes leaks to much and only some of them can be used.

If I take an ordinary terracotta pot and seal the drainage hole and fill it with water it leaks to slow in general. Modern Terracotta pots seems to be burned to hot to make them porous enough.

I will try to take some pictures soon.

/Magnus

Magnus!

Thank you so much for your input!

Do you know what those white tubes are called and where to get them in Europe? I bet there are some people here, who live nearby that might well like to try one of those!

Oh, yes do! Did you have to get a batch of drain pipes and then test each one to see which one worked best? Are they really just lying about?

That was my next question. . .regular old terracotta planters. I was afraid of that.

Seems like it would be better for the pipe to be too porous rather than too waterproof. Have you tried applying some sort of stone sealer to slow down the water on the too porous drain pipes?

Wonder how much it would cost to have a pre-tested, pipe mailed to the US? Did I mention I really want to grow a Telipogon?

[gmdiaz]

Originally Posted by Magnus A

Hello

For some inspiration for nano-vivarium you kan have a look on some of Mikael and Linda´s photo´s on flickr

Nano vivarium - a set on Flickr

Magnus! Again, thank you so much!!!!!

Loving the photos! I really love that great big display! Very cool. . .and they're growing a telipogon.

I wanna come to play at Mikael & Linda's house!


Great inspiration!

[bonsai1504]

to make it turn you could set it on one of these.Bonsai turntable | Mighty Mini - Bonsai turntable | Mighty Mini
it's for bonsai but i use it for all sorts of stuff. you can also get a fancier one but this one has a low profile and it is easily disguised.

[gmdiaz]

Originally Posted by bonsai1504

to make it turn you could set it on one of these.Bonsai turntable | Mighty Mini - Bonsai turntable | Mighty Mini
it's for bonsai but i use it for all sorts of stuff. you can also get a fancier one but this one has a low profile and it is easily disguised.

GREAT product! It will work perfectly! And supports a lot of weight!

Adding that to my must-have list for the set up! Thank you!!!!

[Magnus A]

Hello gmdiaz

The pictures of the white tubes is from the homepage of Rollke, Roellke-Orchideen and he sells them in different sizes. Though not large enough for me!

I got two pipes from a friend and one is leaking a little to much, I think. Not tested to seal them and NO they are NOT so easy to find (depending on were in Sweden you look). The pipes was used as drainage on farms in some part of Sweden but they have not been produced for 30-40 years, I think.

They are quite heavy and somewhat brittle. They are to expensive to ship to the US in my opinion.

I do not think Mikael grows Telipogon but Lepanthes telipogoniflora on his pipes. But I have seen Telipogon on ceramic pipes, and it works!

The big display was filled with miniatures at an show in Lund, Sweden, last summer. The show honoring the great Swedish botanist Carl von Linné (Carolus Linnæus), born 1707.

[shakkai]

Gwen, I have seen those tubes Magnus posted at Schwerter as well. I never ordered one, as I would like something more 'bumpy'.... As I've told you, I am not very good on the moss front... and until I can get that sorted out, I don't want plants on ugly ceramic tubes. Bad enough some of them have to be in pots, at least now, most of the pots are pretty!! (Thanks to Vic!!)

Magnus, thanks for posting all of those links! Some great stuff and 'drool-worthy' photos!

PS. I'm still seeing whether my Telipogon likes living with me... If it does, you know I will be getting more when I can find them!! LOL!

[Grandma M]

[QUOTE to make it turn you could set it on one of these.[url=http://www.joebonsai.com/prod-bonsai-turntable-mighty-miniBonsai turntable | Mighty Mini - Bonsai turntable | Mighty Mini[/url]
QUOTE]

I need one of those to place my blooming plants on in front of a window. Marilyn

[Becca]

So is there anyone else interested in going in towards the 20 that Gwen will need to place an order through Erin Pottery? Gwen....do you know what the price range might be?

[gmdiaz]

Well, as I am thinking this through. . .I don't think the clay tube idea is really workable.

For one thing, the porosity IS a big issue, hard to get it just right with any of the terra things around here. I mean I could buy a bunch of wine chillers or other various terracotta things and test them but that sort of gets expensive and wasteful.

I think it would be difficult and require a lot of experimentation on Vic's part to make these to our specifications. I know he would do a great job for us but I really don't see enough interest for him to ask him to spend time on it.

Now, thinking along different, more traditional lines. .natural vivarium, with a water feature and/or a misting system. lol

One idea that I saw that I just loved at a local greenhouse was a great big rock (10' tall) that was made into a fountain, planted on top so that it hid all the fountain parts. . .all you saw was water rolling down the rock face.

Maybe something like that to fit in the Exo tank. Hmmm. . .still thinking.

Thank you so much, everyone for your input! I love to hear what you think and value your opinions!

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[Kyle]

I hvae some of the tubes from Roellke. They work well. The tip Lutz gave me was not to put plants on them until the moss has made a carpet. Its been 6 months and I have a nice carpet on them. They do weep a little. They need to be filled every 4 days.

I would also like to make a larger one. They best thing I can find is clay chimeny pipes. They come in different widths and lengths. Square and round. The manufactuer said they are porous - but they seem to have some kind of coating. I guess I could pay a bit to have it sandblasted off. I bought one in the spring, but haven't had time to set it up. My plan is to silicone a ceramic tile to the bottom.

heres some pics:





Here is the manufacture of the chimney tile: Superior Clay Corporation