Experts Lead The Way!

[AaronAcker]

Well, if you didn't read my "introducing me" thread, I'm an avid herp keeper, and my favorites are dart frogs. I'm setting forth in planning my next vivarium, and unlike my others will be "themed."

I've started creating a plant list for plants that 1 will do well in the humid conditions of a dart frog viv, 2 fit the size requirements, 3 fit into my theme. I will throw in some pictures of what I'm going w/ so far, should help w/ your replies.

The size of the vivarium will be either 18"w x18"d x24"h, or 48"w x 18"d x 20"h. Because of the need for a false bottom the "floor" would be 3-4" from the bottom of the tank... Of course like all of my other dart frog vivs it will include a water feature, just love em

SO here comes the part where I hope some of you can help me. I recently got my first two orchids (for a dart frog viv) and am now addicted. I have a couple of orchids in mind, but found little information on care/size of them. After looking at my pictures, I'm sure you'll see the theme I'm going for with this vivarium. PLEASE throw your suggestions at me for orchids that will work in the set-up, and fit with the theme, and of course any other plant ideas are welcome THANK YOU SOOOO
MUCH

the future in habitants: Red D. galactonotus


some of the plants that I know I want:

begonia black flag


Selaginella erythropus (a spiked moss)


Alocasia 'Black Velvet'


Cryptanthus Black Mystic


Couple Orchids I was thinking of using but not sure if they work or their care or their size??? lol

Dracula Vampira

Dracula amalie


THROW IT AT ME LOL THANK YOU ALL!!!!!!!

[Ross]

The Dracs should do just fine. They need medium light (maybe 600-800 foot-candles) cool temps (like low 60s night and low 70s day) and can tolerate a wide variety of care. To bloom them, you'll need (in most cases) cooler temps than you probably want to keep in a vivarium. Hope this helps. BTW, I have Dracula lotax in my orchidarium under 99% humidity and low 70s day and about 900 foot-candles light. It has been blooming off-and-on all winter.

[Paul]

High Aaron!

Neat frog!

Some possible issues with your plant choices ...
I rather suspect that both the begonia and Alocasia 'Black Velvet' will get too big for your viv [especially the Al.] Also, while I could easily be wrong, doesn't the Al require a dormancy period? If so you would have to remove it from the terr for parts of the year.

Some of the dracs also get rather tall considering the height you have available. How warm your viv will be could also be an issue. Many of the dracs are cool growers [which is why I don't grow them, though I think they are soooooooooo cool]

I would recommend considering some of the jewel orchids like Haemaria/Ludisia discolor http://www.orchidspecies.com/orphotdir/ludidiscolor.jpg

and

Macodes petola http://www.orchidspecies.com/orphotdir/macpetola.jpg

There are also some AV's w/ very dark leaves that might work for you.

Rob of Little Frog Farms will likely be able to give you additional ideas.

[AaronAcker]

Thanks for the replies. These are great informational threads, and the more I learn now, the less they suffer then. Thats unfortunate about the Dracula lol

I really like the leaves of the Haemaria/Ludisia discolor though w/ the orchids I'm looking more at the appearance of the flower than the leaves.

Another orchid that caught my eye was the Bulbophyllum masdevalliaceum it has some of the same "evil" characteristics that I'm looking for.


as for the size both the begoinia and Alocasia 'Black Velvet' do get big, but I have seen other dart frog vivs w/ them, and kept well.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Paul

Many of the dracs are cool growers [which is why I don't grow them, though I think they are soooooooooo cool]

Paul, I grow and bloom Dracula lotax (a rather small Drac) in a orchidarium in my basement. As I said above it flowers faithfully for me. You can do it too, if you choose. Of course the temps are too warm for flowering in summer, even in basement, but it grows fine and then when things cool down in winter it goes to town. Just a thought.

[AaronAcker]

Temps in the viv will be 75-78 during day, 70-73 night.... humidity 79-90% BUT will have good air flow, and easily put in a spot w/ great drainage. < if that helps w/ suggestions. :/

[Dorothy]

Just a random thought
Don't you have to be careful what plants to mix with your frogs? Won't frogs eat the blooms of some orchids? Are there some orchids to avoid all together as they may be toxic to the frogs? Again ... just thoughts

[AaronAcker]

Very great thoughts, and i think the most harm a dart frog would do to an orchid (being that they eat ffs and springtails) would be if the orchid was in a place they would trample (again this depends on the frog as some are only 1/2-3/4" in length)... So placement of the orchid is included in the design of the vivarium to suit the frogs and plants. I've seen dozens of vivs where orchid and frogs live in peace

I have yet to hear of a frog dieing due to a toxic orchid, but they may exist, and thats another reason I'm researching before jumping in and buying whatever looks cool

[maitaman]

Did you collect most of that here in Panama'? There are red frogs and jewel frogs all over a friend's finca as well as most of your plants!

[AaronAcker]

Originally Posted by maitaman

Did you collect most of that here in Panama'? There are red frogs and jewel frogs all over a friend's finca as well as most of your plants!

With the exception of the spike moss I currently have none of the above pictured plants/frogs. Currently my collection includes:
dart frogs- d.Azureus, d.Tinctorius, D.Imitator, D.Leucomelas,
plants worth mentioning- begonia sp?, Selaginella erythropus, creeping fig, pumila, and pilea sp?
orchids-Haraella Retrocalla, Dendrobium "Iki" (a lot of other common plants/bromileads, and many other reptiles/amphibians....