Best Filler Plants? - Orchid Board

Beckster · #1 01-19-2010, 01:45 AM

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to find some cheap filler plants or other natural looking filler for the spaces between my orchids. I'm growing in a home built orchid case that's still in the works (it's currently draped with plastic because I haven't finished the front or sides yet).

I was thinking about just spreading around some spaghnum moss and maybe getting a few small ferns as well as some pieces of bark, cork or driftwood. And I'm planning on building a few shelves to put the smaller 'chids with higher light requirements closer to the light and growing my larger plants behind. I've also got some coffee plants that I grew from seed years ago, so I'll put those and my Cymbidium behind everything else.

Also, what's the best way to sterilize these items? I don't want to end up with an infestation or disease because of something new introduced to the case.

Thanks!!

wgama · #2 01-19-2010, 11:40 PM

I like to use nerve/snakeskin plants and any of the various english ivy (hedera sp.) in terrariums/bottle gardens and I think they would make good fillers in your orchidarium.

trdyl · #3 01-20-2010, 06:28 AM

Maidenhair Ferns would be nice.

Bolero · #4 01-20-2010, 07:07 AM

Not sure on the space you have but as well as ferns I find Bromeliads to be pretty good in my orchid house.

littlefrog · #5 01-20-2010, 03:51 PM

I'd go with whatever you like... I find that some ferns grow very well with orchids. Some don't. Bromeliads are great, especially smallish neoregelias.

Ferns I like:

Rabbits Foot
Korean Rock
Kangaroo Fern (sometimes called 'wart fern')
Small forms of boston fern - Nephrolepsis (Lemon button, 'Fluffy Ruffles', etc)
Birds nest ferns (Asplenium)
Microsorum metallicum (this one is awesome, gun metal blue)
Austral Gem (a florists fern with waxy fronds)

If you have high humidity, try some Selaginella species. They are kind of like ferns.

Sel. kraussianum (several forms available)
Sel. uncinata (peacock spike moss)
Sel. moellendorfii
all sorts of cool things.

Rob

stefpix · #6 01-20-2010, 05:50 PM

I like carnivorous plants.

Drosera capensis grows quickly and mexican Pinguiculas multiply like weeds. the Pings bloom easily and a lot and take care of fungus gnats. you just need to never fertilize them, put in peat moss in a saucer with distilled water

Beckster · #7 01-20-2010, 10:33 PM

Great suggestions, thanks!!

I was doing a bit of research on Bromelaids and discovered that pineapples and spanish moss are part of the family. I also found a few varieties of "air plants" at a gardening store recently.

andrew__ · #8 01-21-2010, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beckster

Great suggestions, thanks!!

I was doing a bit of research on Bromelaids and discovered that pineapples and spanish moss are part of the family. I also found a few varieties of "air plants" at a gardening store recently.

Tillandsias ("Air Plants") will do well, just make sure they can dry out between waterings/misting, especially if you have one of the varieties that looks like it's covered in silvery hairs (vs smooth & green). I keep a couple in my terrarium and give them a good soak whenever I'm soaking the orchids in there and they're doing well. I've read many times that people will mount theirs sideways or down so water will drain out of the crown quickly. Since I soak mine by hand and don't have an automatic mister it's not a problem since I can drain them before putting them back in.

Otherwise Neos are one of my favourite bromeliads for terrariums - they tolerate high humidity well and some varieties stay small (may not be as easy to find these though).

Ferns are always nice, moss as well.

If any areas stay wet most of the time and humid the rest of the time or if you have an open water reservoir at the bottom you can try riccordia, a somewhat aquatic liverwort that makes a nice carpet (you'll find it at aquarium stores most often).