The bug has bitten! Terrarium number 2
 

After finishing the first terrarium, I decided to overhaul a tank I had in the lounge room. It had been housing some Anubius, Cryptocoryne, Nepenthes, Fittionia, bulbophyllum ramosii and Dendrobium kingianum that were thrown into the tank in a rather foul, soggy bog mix and lit by an old aquarium light.

I am ashamed to say that the plants were literally thrown into the tank and left there but somehow they all survived and were doing really well, both the orchids had flowered in the tank.

After having so much fun creating the back wall for my first tank, I was inspired and pulled the old tank down and started again with a clearer goal in mind. I also added some of the vines I had made from hessian and silicone that I didnt use for the first tank

I am very happy with this final result, all plants except the Nepenthes was replanted and some club moss, random moss found at a local garden centre, Hare foot fern, Pepperomia Prostrata and a Vanda Mericlone were added. The later may grow too big but I am keen to see if the Vanda will take to the conditions.

Im excited to see how this one goes as I have a glass lid fitted to it for higher humidity and will hopefully cut down on the need for hand misting. A 50mm 16cfm fan has been added for circulation though (i couldnt help myself)

Details:

2 ft all glass tank
1 x 60 cm LED aquarium light
2 x IKEA 6w LED Grow lights
50mm 16cfm computer fan
Fitted glass lid

Substrate:
Clay balls with a layer of shade cloth on top
3 parts Orchid bark
2 parts Potting mix
2 parts Sphagnum moss
1 part Propagating sand
1 part Canadian Peat
1 part Charcoal

[IMG]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1755/...da81930d_c.jpgC4DF2FCD-DA67-454B-87FF-F2ACFE3253E6 by David Burgess, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1754/...4cec1597_c.jpgC5B146E5-333F-4C0F-83F6-0C11C41E8A1D by David Burgess, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1757/...b1952aeb_c.jpg3AE76B1B-9508-4929-985E-779721320DA4 by David Burgess, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1757/...7db4d7a8_c.jpg7D737D7D-FD6D-4EF8-A6C7-6A241DCBE54D by David Burgess, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1736/...14e5564d_c.jpg1708EA9B-15E9-4442-8FE4-1A09DEDF1019 2 by David Burgess, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1742/...83527943_c.jpgE0009863-A49A-41EC-B4C3-7B5FE68BC1AD by David Burgess, on Flickr[/IMG]

It looks really great! :)

Thanks Leafmite,

Really excited to see how this one fills out.

UPDATE:
Ive had some Fittiona and Peperomia Prostrata almost melt completely away but the bulbophyllium Ramosii has already put up 3 spikes. Its so interesting to watch the tank, this is the second one ive built and the plants are acting completely different in each tank. These micro environments are so complex and the way the plants react to them!

[IMG]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1749/...9c328d7ab9.jpgIMG_6461 by David Burgess, on Flickr[/IMG]

Well, my friend, you're done for now. 2 terrariums will become 4, and then the windowsills, and then supplemental lighting in every room of the house....

I'm just saying what I've heard of course. I have too much self control to fall victim to the siren song of orchids. Except I might just get ONE more. Or two. But definitely no more than three.
This week, anyway.
;)

You have a lovely talent for building terrariums!

Bethmarie, you couldnt be more correct. Ive already received the first warning from my partner but Im hoping to sneak one more in before she puts the foot permanently done :biggrin: Thankyou for the compliment, they certainly are fun and rewarding to create!

Spikes! Yay!

A friend who grows cactus and succulents would keep new purchases in her car for a few days, and sneak them into the house one by one when her husband wasn't around. He never seemed to notice.

I guess that would be a little harder with terrariums.

Harder, sure, but that's what would make it more satisfying to get away with ;)

UPDATE:
Im not sure how easy Bulbophyllum Ramosii grows but I am super excited to see mine flower again. Only 3 spikes this time but it flowered soon after being put inside the new tank. It was left outside while I redid the tank and started spiking a week or so later. I love the delicate flowers it has.

[IMG]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1806/...c197efdd4d.jpg180702_Vivarium_018 by David Burgess, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1787/...2860345010.jpg180702_Vivarium_016 by David Burgess, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1810/...299f4f2106.jpg180702_Vivarium_020 by David Burgess, on Flickr[/IMG]

Also, my Vanda was showing signs of slipping so I moved it to the fake vines I made for the tank. It is in front of the small fan that runs every half an hr and seem much happier. All rot has ceased and the new leaf is showing signs of growth.

[IMG]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1824/...a38ae87691.jpg180702_Vivarium_015 by David Burgess, on Flickr[/IMG]