Dendrobium cucumerium culture?

[jkofferdahl]

You can ALWAYS try.

[Pattywack]

I believe rtbaum has a 18x18x24 Exoterra so there is more space than in my terrarium. Wintergirl mentioned an idea that a lot of people do in their terrariums, they mix plants with differing requirements. High light plants are near the top, shade lovers are planted in the shady areas. My own terrarium is similar. I have Dendrobium cucumerinum at the top with two other Dendrobium near it. I also have Barbosella dussenii, Platystele stenostachya, Pleurothallis rubella and several other lower light plants thriving and blooming in here. My Zygostates alleniana is in here as well.

The trick is to make micro climates if you will with the space you have and decor you're using. I don't have any Phalaenopsis in here but a mini would work in the right spot. Trial and error and a close eye, close eye will tell you what you can successfully grow in your terrarium.

Hand misting helps me keep some plants more moist than others and the locations of these plants helps as well. Anything in my terrarium that begins to show signs of stress or what have you, can be taken out at any time. I've had zero problems and these plants have been in here for 10 months. Hope I didn't just jinx it!

---------- Post added at 05:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:45 PM ----------

Let's not forget, rtbaum has several terrariums to use and some are large! What fun to plan and maintain these. The bigger the tank, the more fun it will be.

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[rtbaum]

Would it not be appropriate to place the Dendrobium and Leptotes near the top and Phals near the bottom. It seems that they all need similiar RH and temp. If they do not respond, I have the option to relocate to windowsill or another exoterra. I have access to everything from a 18x18x12 up to 36x36x18. It should be noted that in a few months, I will return to Mn and all will be broken down to be reassembled in a more permanent display. I will have a lot of space to fill,

[Pattywack]

My Leptotes is too large for my terrarium but it might work for you. Phals near the bottom, shaded would be what I would try and I would want them mounted so there is no chance of them staying too wet.

36x36x18 awesome! There is so much you can do with decor, wood, vines, rocks...endless. I have a large cork stump in the center of my tank, it takes up most of the footprint and there are plants in behind this stump. You have to look from the sides to see them. It's different but it works for me and is actually what I was hoping for when I set this up. Let your imagination go, you can always change things.

[katrina]

Keep in mind, cucumerin needs to dry out well between watering or it will rot. In winter the dry cycle needs to be even longer between watering or it will die quickly so make sure you put in a spot that isn't always wet. The humidity will be fine...just not wet.

Also, IME, it bloomed much better when it was allowed to get a chill in the winter. I had trouble blooming it prior to moving it to a cooler part of my space.

Lots of light...cattleya level would make it quite happy.

[estación seca]

I have not been to their habitat, but I have talked to people who have.

They grow on the undersides of tree branches hanging over streams. The area has a strongly seasonal monsoon climate, as Katrina said. They will be wet frequently during warm weather, but since they are growing on tree branches, the roots are always fully exposed to air. During the winter they may get no rain for months, and the water level in the river drops considerably. Winter humidity is a lot lower.

Succulent dealers in southern California sold them a while back, telling people they would grow outdoors with succulent collections. The plants died very quickly of sunburn. They seem to like very bright shade. Remember they tend to grow on the undersides of branches.

I might guess lack of blooming is not lack of light, but lack of seasonal temperature and water variation.

Oh - the other Dockrillias are considered very much easier to grow by most people.

[rtbaum]

Originally Posted by estación seca

I have not been to their habitat, but I have talked to people who have.

They grow on the undersides of tree branches hanging over streams. The area has a strongly seasonal monsoon climate, as Katrina said. They will be wet frequently during warm weather, but since they are growing on tree branches, the roots are always fully exposed to air. During the winter they may get no rain for months, and the water level in the river drops considerably. Winter humidity is a lot lower.

I currently have it mounted on the side of an antler, may change orientation to bottom

Originally Posted by estación seca

I might guess lack of blooming is not lack of light, but lack of seasonal temperature and water variation.

Kind of what I have been thinking, I am considering relocating it to a cool spot in late Fall, around 50-55 degrees with reduced watering schedule. I may fail, but now is a good time to learn what I can or cannot do.

I did get the orchidarium up and running...took a while to figure out the mist-king, but eventually figured it out. I opted for the HT-24, currently all four orchids are at 50% during the day, 70% at night. I was not happy with photos taken earlier, will try again tomorrow.

---------- Post added at 08:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:02 PM ----------

My evil plan is succeeding.....My brother has just ordered a bunch of air plants from Air Plant Supply

[ula]

Hi, you could try this link
Dockrillia culture information
for some basic info. Good luck, I was thinking about getting one myself (but I got distracted along the way ).

[rtbaum]

Lighting is a little odd, it is lit by two led floods...one bright white, one soft white

[Pattywack]

I like it! The lights give it a soft, easy look and that Phal bloom is gorgeous!

Is this the 18x18x36 tank?