Artist, new to "keeping" orchids
 

Hello, my name is Aaron, I'm an artist and have too many hobbies. I keep an assortment of reptiles and amphibians, over 15 different species, and dart frogs are my favorites. I also have about 15 marine aquariums, and 25 freshwater.

ANYWAYS. I've painted orchids in the past, they are perhaps one of my favorite plants, but until today, have yet to keep any (outside of the home depot variety) I recieved a "gift" box of plants in a trade for a small painting, and contained in it were two small orchids for me to put into one of my dart frog vivariums.

Haraella Retrocalla

Dendrobium "Iki"

I hope to get more orchids, as now I'm completely addicted to the huge variety of them, as well as other plants to be part of my dart frog vivariums. I was hoping that some of the experienced members on here would be able to give me some advice on these two species (for now) lol

Thanks. I'll try and post some pictures, later.

Aaron, Hello!
I have the Den. Iki and love it! It loves great air flow and likes to be watered but able to dry out good afterwards. Thrives in bright light. It would do well for you if mounted or hanging. Anything as long as it's airy. Not sure of the other one. Hope that helped some. Are either one in bloom at the moment???? My Iki has been in bloom for a while now, with 4 new buds to open yet.

the "iki" is in bloom, but I think the Haraella Retrocalla will be a while, its still pretty small...

Hi Aaron and :welcome: aboard!

I just love Haraella odorata! it's a miniature, so i'm suspecting yours might be blooming size as well. the leaves on mine are less than 1,5 inches and i'm looking forward to the bud opening any day now. :biggrin:

high humidity and low to moderate light are the key for this easy bloomer. and it likes to grow moist. if yours came potted i'd mount it considering your vivarium. i'm sure yours will thrive there. several of us grow it in similar conditions where it blooms nearly constantly
Lots of luck!

Antti

good to know! The largest leaf on the Haraella Retrocalla is about 1.5" the rest are smaller. I have it mounted on the side of the viv (which is covered in great stuff and coco-fiber) and the routes are wrapped in sphagnum moss. The "iki" is in bloom, and I have it in a orchid bark/peat moss mix 5:1.

They both came routes exposed.

Welcome Aaron. I also have several Haeralla and I recommend leaving the roots exposed. Blooming size is like 4-6 small leaves. The blossoms are small, but neat.

Hi Aaron. Don't know squat about your orchids, but have fun and go for it! You have an interesting assortment of hometowns - where are you now? Been to Grand Junction, love Colorado. Husband's family is from Philly. Always wanted to visit Italy.

Lol, yeah I was born in Philly, and still have a place there, right now I'm in Colorado ( I sell the most artwork here, so I spend the most time here) Most of my family lives in Italy, so I spend a lot of time traveling between the three.