orchids in terrariums
 

At last weekends show, i had at least 6 people ask about orchids to go into terrariums with assorted frogs, snakes, etc.

It is not hard to pick some for the temperature range, but which ones will bloom or rebloom under the relatively low light?

If you go on the dart frog and vivarium forums there should be threads about orchids in vivariums which will give you a place to start.

Jewel orchids are one group that come to mind as far as growing and blooming under lower light. If memory serves, some bulbophyllums are suitable to terrariums/vivs as well.

Catherine

Haraella retrocalla comes easily to mind.

Don't forget there is an entire section of OB dedicated to growing orchids in terraria!

Some orchids that have worked for me (i.e., lived more than a year) in dart frog tanks are: Pleurothallus grobyi and Dendrobium oligophyllum. The real star, though, is Macodes petola. It does flower, but the small white flowers are a distraction from the beautiful leaves.

wuness

Speaking as one of those people(an animal keeper first and orchid grower second...).

It is hard to suggest vivarium orchids because people's setups differ so much. But generall speaking

Frogs: These are typically going to be glass topped, or possible half screen with very low airflow to maintain high humidity. Aside from jewel orchids I can't think of anything that will do well in a lot of these tanks-many are constantly wet. If the said frog tank is running with a fan then a great variety of orchids will be successful.

lizards/snakes: Screen topped-so adequate airflow. Misting and temperatures will depend on animal. Someone from DB has had success with various Agraecum and Aerangis in such tanks.

I myself have a pygmy chameleon tank which is screen topped. It has a hygrolon tube with a reservoir inside that I stuck an Agraecum didieri to(I'd love to try Aerangis hyaloides-I bet that would do great lower down on this or maybe on the clay background). I wrapped strips of hygrolon around the branches and then stuck pieces of Stelis hirtzii in them. We'll see what happens.