mounting orchids in terrariums

[travelfin]

am mounting in a number of ways depending on the orchid. Slab mounted I just put the plant somewhere and then follow how it grows, if ok then I remove it fom the orginal slab and tie it at the same place. Poted plants I just remove the pot and tie it somewhere and change the place if neccesary. Some orchids I plant bare root at a suitable place and see how it grows there. If problems I move it. It's a question of trial and error. Low less light high more light. Humidity somewhere dry and somewhere moist. There are no set rules, have a Oerstedella centedenia growing bare root and doing extremely well sank a few inches lower, due to the weight of the roots, in the terrarium less light less water started to dry out. So had to move it.

[DelawareJim]

Awesome setup Christian!

I spend a fair amount of time drooling over some of the setups over on the Dendroboard (www.dendroboard.com). I'd love to set a 34 x 18 x 24 Exo-Terra or a custom tank from Glasscages (Glasscages.com - Home) with an Epi-web background and a couple of branches for miniature orchids.

Cheers.
Jim

[minicatt]

Speaking of Glasscages.com, i have one of their large terrariums. The plants include mounted orchids on cork or stick and other tropical plants. I usually have to mist the plants every day or every other day.
You can see pics here:
Terrarium Update Sept 2007 - a photoset on Flickr

[Tindomul]

OMG! That is a gorgeous tank!!! You really planned that one nicely. What kind of lights are you using by the way?? How tall is the tank?

[DelawareJim]

Great tank! What are the specs?

Where did you get your T. xerographica? I had one years ago until it got eaten by a rabbit after it blew out of the tree I kept it in during a storm. They're really hard to come by since they're CITES listed.

I love your Drosera collection too BTW.

Cheers.
Jim

[minicatt]

lighting is 4 24 watt t5 bulbs, plus 2 23 watt cfl's.
The tank is 36 x 36 x 18.
The Tillandsia i got off ebay i think, someone from Florida.
Peter.

[travelfin]

In my set up, I don't water the plants. The bottom part of the terrarium is filled with water. In front ther is a small pool and under the peat are stones. Then there is a pump which pumps the water 24/7 up behind the tree fern walling and the water flows down the backwall. There is also an adjustable bypass so I have allso a waterfall. The plants are on their original mounts or I pin some sakesticks in the wall and just put the plant on them. The plant then decides where to grow its roots, some grow them into the backwall others away. Then some grow keikis which then grow midair for example Oerstedella centradenia. Bulbophyllyms grow their new bulbs also in midair with great new roots. In some places have moss ond the plant is just put on the moss, and they grow Haraella odorata, Others like slipper orchidis I've just taken out of the pot and put them in a suitable place. I mist 10 times per day , about 30 seconds each. Starting from lights on 7am till 5 pm and lights go out at 9 pm. i am circulating the air 24/7 two fans pulling the air out. The new air flows in under the front glass door. Also when the lights are on I have a fan blowing through the lamp hood air into the terrarium. Warms the terrarium and keeps the glasses clear,

[korxi]

Just thought I'd show You guys my setup to..

I build the terrarium myself back in April, and made the background according to the guide I posted in my first reply to this thread.
In retrospect I would much rather have used the Flevopol method to create the outer layer of the background.. But that'll be for next time

Christian

[Becca]

Great job! It looks awesome! I will have to give that a try someday....to scared to try my hand at creativity!

[korxi]

It really isn't hard to do at all! It just takes some time.. And if you terrarium isn't 6 fet tall like mine that might not even be too much of a problem either

All you have to do is:
buy 2-4 small pieces of driftwood and some schredded coconut at your local pet shop/terrarium shupply.

Buy 3 or 4 cans of PUR foam and some tubes of black silicone at the hardware store (if you plan on keeping reptiles you might want to go for the silicone without fungicide)

That's the hard part...

Now just put your tank on the side, place the driftwood in some random places.. Spray a layer of foam around them to cover the entire back wall.
When dry cut the foam you don't want away
apply silicone in small patches and dap shredded coconut on..

Done..

Just go for it, you'll be glad you did!