Experts Lead The Way!
 

Well, if you didn't read my "introducing me" thread, I'm an avid herp keeper, and my favorites are dart frogs. I'm setting forth in planning my next vivarium, and unlike my others will be "themed."

I've started creating a plant list for plants that 1 will do well in the humid conditions of a dart frog viv, 2 fit the size requirements, 3 fit into my theme. I will throw in some pictures of what I'm going w/ so far, should help w/ your replies.

The size of the vivarium will be either 18"w x18"d x24"h, or 48"w x 18"d x 20"h. Because of the need for a false bottom the "floor" would be 3-4" from the bottom of the tank... Of course like all of my other dart frog vivs it will include a water feature, just love em :)

SO here comes the part where I hope some of you can help me. I recently got my first two orchids (for a dart frog viv) and am now addicted. I have a couple of orchids in mind, but found little information on care/size of them. After looking at my pictures, I'm sure you'll see the theme I'm going for with this vivarium. PLEASE throw your suggestions at me for orchids that will work in the set-up, and fit with the theme, and of course any other plant ideas are welcome :) THANK YOU SOOOO
MUCH

the future in habitants: Red D. galactonotus
http://www.saurian.net/images05/spec...onotus_red.jpg

some of the plants that I know I want:

begonia black flag
http://www.violetbarn.com/begblackfancy.jpg

Selaginella erythropus (a spiked moss)
http://www.blackjungle.com/Merchant2/s-e.jpg

Alocasia 'Black Velvet'
http://www.angelfire.com/oh3/customecos/blackvelvet.jpg

Cryptanthus Black Mystic
http://www.angelfire.com/oh3/custome...tblkmystic.jpg

Couple Orchids I was thinking of using but not sure if they work or their care or their size??? lol

Dracula Vampira
http://www.hoosierorchid.com/images/products/b2.jpg
Dracula amalie
http://www.andysorchids.com/images/Species/5075med.jpg

THROW IT AT ME LOL THANK YOU ALL!!!!!!!

The Dracs should do just fine. They need medium light (maybe 600-800 foot-candles) cool temps (like low 60s night and low 70s day) and can tolerate a wide variety of care. To bloom them, you'll need (in most cases) cooler temps than you probably want to keep in a vivarium. Hope this helps. BTW, I have Dracula lotax in my orchidarium under 99% humidity and low 70s day and about 900 foot-candles light. It has been blooming off-and-on all winter. http://www.orchidboard.com/community...a_lotax_03.jpg http://www.orchidboard.com/community...a_lotax_04.jpg

Thanks for the replies. These are great informational threads, and the more I learn now, the less they suffer then. Thats unfortunate about the Dracula lol :(

I really like the leaves of the Haemaria/Ludisia discolor though w/ the orchids I'm looking more at the appearance of the flower than the leaves.

Another orchid that caught my eye was the Bulbophyllum masdevalliaceum it has some of the same "evil" characteristics that I'm looking for.
http://www.andysorchids.com/Images/Species/6227sml.jpg

as for the size both the begoinia and Alocasia 'Black Velvet' do get big, but I have seen other dart frog vivs w/ them, and kept well.

Paul, I grow and bloom Dracula lotax (a rather small Drac) in a orchidarium in my basement. As I said above it flowers faithfully for me. You can do it too, if you choose. Of course the temps are too warm for flowering in summer, even in basement, but it grows fine and then when things cool down in winter it goes to town. Just a thought.

Temps in the viv will be 75-78 during day, 70-73 night.... humidity 79-90% BUT will have good air flow, and easily put in a spot w/ great drainage. < if that helps w/ suggestions. :/

Just a random thought :dumb:
Don't you have to be careful what plants to mix with your frogs? :hmm Won't frogs eat the blooms of some orchids? Are there some orchids to avoid all together as they may be toxic to the frogs? Again ... just :dumb:thoughts

Very great thoughts, and i think the most harm a dart frog would do to an orchid (being that they eat ffs and springtails) would be if the orchid was in a place they would trample (again this depends on the frog as some are only 1/2-3/4" in length)... So placement of the orchid is included in the design of the vivarium to suit the frogs and plants. I've seen dozens of vivs where orchid and frogs live in peace :)

I have yet to hear of a frog dieing due to a toxic orchid, but they may exist, and thats another reason I'm researching before jumping in and buying whatever looks cool :)

Did you collect most of that here in Panama'? There are red frogs and jewel frogs all over a friend's finca as well as most of your plants!

With the exception of the spike moss I currently have none of the above pictured plants/frogs. Currently my collection includes:
dart frogs- d.Azureus, d.Tinctorius, D.Imitator, D.Leucomelas,
plants worth mentioning- begonia sp?, Selaginella erythropus, creeping fig, pumila, and pilea sp?
orchids-Haraella Retrocalla, Dendrobium "Iki" (a lot of other common plants/bromileads, and many other reptiles/amphibians....