Some questions about vivarium growing...

[JKeys]

Okay. So, I am getting an addition to my house and I am getting my whole bedroom to myself. I will use this extra space to make more room for growing orchids! I really love the idea and concept of growing orchids in a terrarium, however, I dont really know anything about it. I am looking for experienced terrarium growers to share their favorite terrarium orchids, type of terrarium, what lights, humidifiers, or anything else they use, and also what materials to grow the orchids on and what other plants might thrive inside the terrariums. Is there any certain type of maintenance that needs to be done?

Oh, and also (not to be rude) the expenses of running the terrarium would be a plus. (please don't say if you don't feel comfortable with it)

Thank you guys so much!

[Island Girl]

I can't offer any advice, but I'd like the same info as you are asking for, b/c I am planning on building a terrarium myself hopefully soon (it'll have to be this fall tho)

Sooo....

[Magnus A]

Sorry, but you are way to unspecific in your questions to get usful answers!

There are soo many different setup and orchids that it is impossibly to make any suggestions.

Do some reading in theis forum so you at least can give an idée of size and what you would like to grow!

But to help you a little the answer ofthe following questions would help some.

1. What are your prefered size, h*d*w? The most versatile light is fluorescence tubes, the armatures come in distinct sizes as the tube lenght are standardize. Therefore the vivarium width should match the fixture of chose from the beggining!

2. what do you grow today? do you plan to use the vivarium for any of your excisting plants?

3. do you want a natural looking landscape look or a growing chamber ?

4. what are the ambient temperature in your room night and day?

5. what are your 5 favorite orchids you would like to consider? This will tell alot of what else could be recommended and what climate to aim at. And if it is possibly without any extensive climate control system.

Best regards
/M

[professor plant]

I grow in a few terrariums and have had success with them. My suggestions are the following:

1)Exo-Terra 18x 18x 24". I buy them for about $109 at Petsmart.

2)Egg crate (1 piece that is about 2x 4ft) at Home Depot to keep potted plants of the base of the glass. About $13. You will have to cut it with scissors or wire cutters to fit properly. If you have extra plastic pots you can turn them upright to separate the piece cut piece from the bottom.

3)Plexi glass sheeting 18x 24" The thin piece (not sure of the exact thickness) is about $9.

4)4 boxes of small suction cups at Home depot for hanging mounted plants. (4 per pack) About $2 each. ***Make sure you buy the smaller cup size (about 1in diameter) because the larger ones do not hold well.

5) 2 3.5in computer fans to be hung from each corner in the top rear walls. You can hang them on angles by choosing which holes to loop the suction cups through. I cut each wire on the fan and wire it to a 9V charger. It is very easy to do. I don't like playing with electricity and I haven't had any issues. Fans are less than $5 on Ebay and the charger a $1 or 2. I buy mine at a local thrift shop.

6) Extension cord and multiple outlet with on/off switch. One with GFCI is recommended, if not in the wall. $5 without, $30 with GFCI at Home Depot.

7) Analog timer that runs on half hour increments. Set the timer to run the lights only. I choose 13-14 a day. Keep the fans running constantly. $7 at a grocery store.

8) Lights! The most difficult part for me. Maybe not difficult but I have tried many. Here is what I use and have had success with.
--2ft T5, 2 bulb fixture. I could go to a 4 bulb, but the plants do fine. Check your local Hyrdoponic stores for prices. Mine is $89. Sometimes retailers include the bulbs. I use 5600K. I do not find it necessary to use 2700K (grow bulbs/ red spectrum).

--Exo Terra hoods (about $27.00 at Petsmart) with one LED bulb from FirstRay's. ($25) and a CFL with 1600 lumens at 5000K. (about $3-5, depending on brand)

--Aluminum dome for workshops ($8 at Home Depot) and a 150WT CFL HO bulb at 5600K. These can range in price at Hydroponic stores and places like Home Depot, who now carry them. The important thing, other than cost is the CRI. The closer to 100, the better. I have paid more for bulbs that have also burned out sooner, so it's trial and error.

I hope the above mentioned is helpful. I grow mostly miniatures and micro-miniatures in my tanks. I do have paph seedlings and random stuff in another that does not get misted. The temps can usually stay about 10F or cooler then the room temp, depending on location to outside windows. Depending on plant size, I can get between 30 and 60 plants in one tank without too much touching or overlapping. With that many plants, also with many of them being misted each day, the tanks hold the humidty above 85%. I purchased a ReptiFogger for one for $60, but I don't find it necessary.

I mount plants with NZ sphagnum moss using 12lb test fishinig line on cork. I do not use tree fern because many plants root through it and it makes remounting difficult. I make sure potted plants are potted loosely with moss and they are mostly in Terra cotta pots to keep the plants cooler, for the ones that require it.

I tried to be thorough and if there is anything else I can provide let me know.

Chad.

[Island Girl]

That is good information to know professor plant!

JKeys- what kinds of orchids are u thinking of putting in ur terrarium?

[JKeys]

Thanks to all! Sorry I havent responded to you. I am thinking of maybe some miniature orchids in a terrarium, and i want to try to make it as realistic as possible. However, I am afraid this will be too expensive so I might just stick to a terrarium to keep up humidity and such.