orchid vivariums

[TheVivariumDesignCompany]

Hi, I just wanted to share some of my work from the past year. Each vivarium is stocked full of miniature orchids and I've enjoyed consistent blooms in each enclosure. Each has LED lighting (which includes sunrise/sunset/moonlight and thunderstorm and cloud simulations), internal air circulation (which constantly brings new air into the enclosure), a misting system, and either dart frogs of leaftail geckos.

Hope you enjoy!

Ryan

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[ChaseGhost]

Cool

[desertanimal]

I do hope the leaf-taileds are not wild caught!

[TheVivariumDesignCompany]

Originally Posted by desertanimal

I do hope the leaf-taileds are not wild caught!

Nope, they're not. Bred and born in Oregon.

[Tindomul]

Very nice. Can you tell us more about your lighting?

[TheVivariumDesignCompany]

Originally Posted by Tindomul

Very nice. Can you tell us more about your lighting?

Thanks! The lights are all LEDs. The paludarium has a freshwater Metis CRP made by Pacific Sun. The vivarium that can be viewed from 270 degrees has a GHL Profilux, and the Uroplatus corner viv has two Jungle Hobbies LEDs.

[Tindomul]

Do you know how many lumens they are putting out? How are the plants responding? Though you say you are enjoying consistent blooms, how is growth?

[TheVivariumDesignCompany]

Originally Posted by Tindomul

Do you know how many lumens they are putting out? How are the plants responding? Though you say you are enjoying consistent blooms, how is growth?

I use PAR (photosynthetically active radiation) to measure light strength instead of lumens because it indicates exactly how much of the light the plants can use. PAR values change dramatically depending on position below the light....a difference of 6" can equate to a difference in 1000 footcandles sometimes.

I like to map my orchid planting area wherever the PAR value equates to roughly 500 footcandles minimum using a PAR meter (which was a great investment). Growth has been rapid for the most part, but there is a decent amount of variation between species. I'm a firm believer that understanding light strength and variation within the vivarium is the key to achieving the desired composition.

I also focus my species selections to maximize blooming in this specific environment type. Intermediate to warm growers, free flowering, relatively low light requirements, and found around the equator. It takes trial and error to determine which species are best. Also keep in my mind water frequency and airflow are also a big part of my methods.

[desertanimal]

Excellent! In that case, I'd love to see more pics of them! They are such beautiful animals.

[TheVivariumDesignCompany]

Originally Posted by desertanimal

Excellent! In that case, I'd love to see more pics of them! They are such beautiful animals.

Attached below are some pics. The female changes from tan to brown to deep orange at night. The male changes from gray to almost black.

These guys are great to keep with warm growing orchids, as they prefer temps in the 60-80 range, but not too much warmer than that.