Took the Exo-Terra plunge but need help.

[luckygrower]

I've taken the plunge and completed the first steps but I need help in the planting of it, I have a few questions.

1. I have some plants attatched to mounts already,
can I silicone the mount in place without harming the
plant?
2.Can I plant directly into the mix?
3. I have a couple Masdevallia's, can I plant them in the
mix, Aussie-gold,that is directly on the bottom or do they have to be potted?

[FinnBar]

Have the plants grown roots to the backside of the mount? if not, I don't see any problems with attaching the mounts. Maybe a faster drying glue would be better though. if you decide on the silicone, ventilating the tank while it dries would be in order, i'd say.

besides the Masdevallia, did you mean planting orchids or other plants?

[luckygrower]

I would like to plant orchids but don't know what other ones that can take the moist conditions.

[gmdiaz]

I am so excited about your project!

I love your Exo Terra fountain. I was thinking about getting one of those. Which size did you get?

I was too chicken to plant my orchids in the mix directly. Not because it's not a great idea. I just am hesitating until I feel more confident that I know where to place each plant in the tank for it's best happiness. Cause, you know, once they're rooted to the background, they've officially called it HOME.

For sure you could start with the lovely Porroglossum rodrigoi, the Haraella odorata and the Masd. erinae. . .of course, that's only three. . .you'll need a baker's dozen. ROFLOLOL

Ross & Tindo have a bunch of mounted minis!

Ross uses a misting system. . .check out his gallery for moisture loving orchids!

I can't wait to see what you come up with!

	Mistking Looking for a misting system? Look no further. Automated misting systems from MistKing are used by multitude of plant enthusiasts and are perfect for Orchids. Systems feature run dry pumps, ZipDrip valve, adjustable black nozzles, per second control! Automatically mist one growing shelf or a greenhouse full of Orchids. See MistKing testimonials

[luckygrower]

The Exo-Terra waterfall is the medium sized one.
The followung list is of the plants that I have in my collection that I thought I could choose from.
Phal. Mini Mark (S/H)
Phal. Schilleriana (S/H)
Phal. Vioacea borneo (mount)
Phal. Stuatiana (pot)
Dend. Aberrans (mount)
Neofinetia falcata (mount)
Haraella Odoratta (mount)
Laelia reginae (pot) (quicky project)
Laelia purpurata (pot) (seedling)
Kef. Tolimensis (pot)
Aerangis luteo-alba (Rhodosticta) (pot)
Aerangis luteo-alba (Rhodosticta) (mount, project #4)
Masdevallia Noid (pot)
Mas. Celtic Frost (pot)
Mas. Infracta (pot)
Mas. Curtipes (pot)
Maxillaria Tenuifolia (pot)
Max. Uncata (mount)
The terrarium has been set up now for 24hrs, the following conditions exist, temp range 67-80f, 40-64% humid., light 2500 at top 140 at bott.
I think I need a little more light.

[FinnBar]

I've seen lots of people grow Ludisia discolor as a ground cover. the leaves are just beautiful! and it can spread into a carpet..unfortunately photos don't really do justice to it.
i wish i could come up with more suggestions, Paphs maybe?

[Ross]

Are all these going into tank? I think your light amount is OK right now. 140 FCs is pretty low for all except maybe Jewell Orchids. 2500 FCs will be fine for mini dendrobiums and Maxillaria. Somewhere in between will be fine for Haraella and its similars (like Phals.)

[luckygrower]

NO Ross, they are not all going in there, I don't think there is enough room,but maybe!,I am just looking for suggestion's from the more knowledgable than I as to what would complement each other in this small space, terrarium is 18x18x24 tall also any clue on how to get the humidity higher, at its highest it has got to 64% so far.

[Ross]

While I've never owned an Exo Tera, humidity is not that hard to increase in an enclosed space. A few suggestions:

1) wet sponges. Try adding a few wet cellulose sponges near the bottom of the tank.

2) Reduce the amount of thru-wall venting (if you can). Maybe not opening doors so often, if you have thru-wall fan(s) run them less often, etc.

3) Consider adding an active misting system such as MistKing This is our board host - Marty (the king of misting systems).

Temperature looks fine (70's) but humidity looks low. Yes you can "pack 'em in" so to speak. That is actually a pretty large enclosure and should support lots of minis if they are on mounts. Just get the heights right (distance to lights.) It's all an experiment (that's what God said )

	Mistking Looking for a misting system? Look no further. Automated misting systems from MistKing are used by multitude of plant enthusiasts and are perfect for Orchids. Systems feature run dry pumps, ZipDrip valve, adjustable black nozzles, per second control! Automatically mist one growing shelf or a greenhouse full of Orchids. See MistKing testimonials

[Lindafvb]

What timing for me! I will be watching your thread for I too purchased this a few weeks ago and await my new mini's from Andy's on Friday. I grow S/H so I was going to put down the pellets with water on the bottom of the tank to raise humidity. I also chose plants with low light and can tolerate temps up to 85 degrees. I live in NJ. Between the forum and Harry at Andy's I hope I picked some keepers. Were you going to hang any of the mounts off the sides? There was a good suggestion of sunction cups, I like that one.(sorry, forgot who should get the credit for that) This way I can move the plant until it feels happy.