Experts Lead The Way!

[AaronAcker]

Well I'm having a difficult time finding information for a few of the orchids I'm looking at, but here is what I've come up w/ so far....

Bulbpohyllum masdevalliaceum- may get too tall for the viv.


Scaphosepalum rapax- mini, cant dry out, daily waterings



Masdevallia Zahlbrudeneri- cork mounted, needs shade but can handle warm temps, stay moist.


Tristella species? no info? just says its small and good for terrariums?



Restrepia brachypus- may get to tall for viv, and may not handle the temps in the viv, but likes the humidity?


also looked at Pleurothallis cypripedioides but dont know if it would get too big...


IF anyone has any information on these, or knows they just wont work in my vivarium ( 72-78F, 76-90% humidity 5500-7500k but can have shady places, plenty of air movement) please let me know.

[Dorothy]

If you want a resource of any orchid species - Use the IOSPE Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia - Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia - it will give you it's culture , growth size etc ..

[AaronAcker]

Originally Posted by Dorothy

If you want a resource of any orchid species - Use the IOSPE Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia - Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia - it will give you it's culture , growth size etc ..

thanks! that helped a ton.
didn't find the Bulbophyllum, but looks like the Scaphosepulum Rapax will work well, the Masdevallia will work well. Couldn't find the Tristella, and the Restrepia Guttulata looks like it needs cooler temps.

Thanks for the site, it'll help me out in my research a lot

[littlefrog]

Restrepia brachypus will never get too tall for a viv... It just doesn't grow that way. Probably the best orchid for a viv, I've found.

[AaronAcker]

cool, thanks for the reply, wasn't expecting to hear from you tell monday thanks again.

[Dorothy]

You are very welcome, Aaron

[CoolPhrog]

When I was considering setting up a vivarium specifically for dart frogs, I too went on a search for orchids that would co-habitate well with them. I found this list:

Orchids Listing for Dart Frog Vivarium 80+Degrees & Very Humid

Pleurothallis grobyi
Ludisia discolor
Malaxis species N. G.
Malaxis species Thailand
Masdevallia wendlandiana
Maxillaria uncata
Bulbophyllum alagense both forms
Pleurothallis tribulariodes
Haraella odorata
Vanilla planifolia
Trichoglottis triflora
Cirrhopetalum curtsii
Dendrobium abberans
Nephelaphyllum all species
Masdevallia floribunda
Dendrobium atroviolaceum "pigmy type"
Pleurothallis allanii

All of these were suggested by Harry @ Andy's Orchids and I have purchased several of them....here's the link to the thread, maybe some of these will fit with your theme...happy hunting!

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...errariums.html

[AaronAcker]

Thanks for the reply. I have looked over that thread a couple of times in the last two days, and its deffinitly helped me in my search for other orchids that meet the size requirements, and climate ability. As for finding ones that meet the theme I am going for that has caused the most head ache. Lol, this will be my first, and last themed vivarium.

[LionEve]

Hi Aaron! I'm not much as advisor but more like watching and admireing your project. I get good info for my vivarium planning reading all this. Keep on going people, give him hints and I'll spy here

Beautiful frogs! Is it so that they get their poison by eating some insects etc. and with normal frog food they loose that ability? I've heard this from somewhere and just asking confirmation.

[AaronAcker]

Originally Posted by LionEve

Hi Aaron! I'm not much as advisor but more like watching and admireing your project. I get good info for my vivarium planning reading all this. Keep on going people, give him hints and I'll spy here

Beautiful frogs! Is it so that they get their poison by eating some insects etc. and with normal frog food they loose that ability? I've heard this from somewhere and just asking confirmation.

Thats correct. In the frogs natural habitat there are ants or beetles that eat a poisonous plant, the frogs then eat the insects and the poison is excreted through their skin. In the wild there are only 5 or so species of poison dart frogs that could kill a human, but many would make a person sick.

When in captivity, we feed them a staple diet of flightless fruit flies, spring tails, and other isotopes. All of which have no poison to transfer to the frogs. Again, there are many reason to wash your hands before and after holding any of the frogs, most of those reasons are to prevent injures to the frogs, and transfer of fungus/chemicals/anything else that may be on your hands to the frogs. Due to the stress to a frog caused by holding it, and all the risks, most keepers dont hold a frog unless its an emergency.

Thanks for your comments, and when I start construction I'll be sure to post more information.