Best miniatures for a vivarium

[afroturf]

Hi this is my first post, I'm new to orchids other than those you find in supermarkets or certain large diy stores.

I have a vivarium I'm planning on housing a few dart forgs in, I'd also like a couple of small orchids. From reading off this forum and orchid growers websites I've decided that the best one to go for is Haraella odorata. I'd also like possibly 1 more but am unsure of which would be best. From what is available here in the UK the options are -

Aerangis fastuosa
Barbosella australis
Dendrobium aberrans
Drydella zebrina
Eria rhomboidalis
Masdevallia murex
Podangis dactyloceras
Promenaea rollinsonii
Psygmorchis pusilla

They'd need to able to grow in warm (20-25c/68-78f) humid and moist conditions, the smaller the better.

Also are all these epiphytic? if so can you recommend any miniature terrestrial orchids that could grow in this setup?

Cheers, Steven.

[kavanaru]

check this thread http://www.orchidboard.com/community...errariums.html

and welcome to OB!

[Aceetobe]

Make sure to get a fan pulling in fresh air for circulation too, or else you'll get fungus.

[afroturf]

Cheers for the replys guys,

Ramon the link was a good and long read but didn't really help with the orchids I could have, I will definatly try H. odorata could help by pointing out which of those I listed earlier would also be suitable?

Aceetobe, I was thinking ventilation/air circilation could be a problem. I will be having some 1-2" holes covered with a mesh drilled into the lid covering 10-15% of the surface to help with ventilation. I think using a fan will corse humidity to fall too mush for the dart frogs liking.

[Ross]

I would say that at the temps you propose, I would eliminate Dryadella - it needs to be cool. Aerangis would be a great choice. I have fastuosa and it does really well with constant moisture, fairly warm temps (high 60s - low 80s) low light (in the range of 800-1000 Foot-candles and has a really fragrant large white blossom once a year when it is grown well. It will want strong air movement (as does the Haeralla.) Mine are in direct breeze from a 3" PC fan - maybe a foot or so away.) Hope this helps. (By the way, Areangis fastuosa gets maybe 2" across.)

[kavanaru]

If you really wnat a Dryadella, try dryadela edwallii... it's smaller than zebrina, but likes warmer temps...

Promenaea rollinsonii will need cooler temps to bloom!

Masdevallia murex, Barbosella australis need cooler temps! there masdevallias which are temp tolerant/warm growers, e.g. Masdevallia abbreviata & Masdevallia lata (great plant this one!!)... check in Jay's Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia - M - Max for other species...

Psygmorchis pusilla likes warm temps and high humidity. However, it likes lots of air movement. Water drops should not accumulate on the plants for long periods, otherwise the plant will rot!