Orchids that do well in terrariums.

[Marty]

This thread is intended to help people get more into the orchids and to successfully introduce them into their terrarium environments.

Let’s compile a list of orchids that do well in humid terrarium conditions. Please post names, pictures, and specific growing conditions of the orchid. Any extra info that you can give, will be much appreciated, i.e. growing near an air vent, misted x number of times daily, relative humidity, temp, type of lights, etc. Please only post information if the orchid is really growing exceptionally well for you and if you had it in your setup for at least a few months.

Also, don't limit yourself only to orchids. A lot of people keep ferns, bromeliads, carnivorous plants etc. If you have a plant that is growing exceptionally well in your setup, oh do share it with us

[Tindomul]

Ok, ok, since I know you were asking me specifically, here is what I have:


Just kidding! I am very much a begginer and (thankyou for the spell check by the way) have set up a 29 gallon viv, that about 109 liters for those not familiar with gallons.

I have a Fittonia Juanita variety, which had done very well in my viv since March. I recommend it as a must have for anyone who doesn't know what to put in their viv, like me! I placed it at the highest elevation of the viv (thats right an awe inspiring 5" above the water line). Its planted in direct soil ( I used jungle mix by the way), and under about 1 1/2" of soil is an exoterra critter cave that helps keep the soil from getting water logged (it was a fear I had when I first built the viv). Fortunately the soil keeps moist but not wet. I keep the humidity levels at above 60%. And the light levels for this plant are the lowest in the whole viv. Yet it looks like my best plant.

The only other two plants I feel comfortable enough to recommend are Aroids. Anubias barterii, Nana variety, and Syngonium podophyllum, Arrow head. Both of these I am growing with their roots submerged, and leafs and stems well above the water. Anubias grows very nicely staying small, but very green. It has even bloomed three times. I love aroids!! The syngonium well, i grow that under sooo many conditions, that it should be ashamed at how much it grows. The only place it won't do well is in a desert and completely submerged, but even then they will live for months. Slightly longer submerged.

Hope this helps people some day, and here is a pic of my viv! Ignore the lucky bamboo, i cut it down, damned weed!! I hope thats not bad language.

[Tindomul]

There have been a few changed to the tank since the picture. There is now a nice fern in the back, and a Spathiphyllum, another aroid, replaced the lucky bamboo. The pilea is out of control, but not very pretty, there is a floating plant that I can't identify, but its way prettier than duckweed, and more managable. And the moss is greener and fluffier.

Thanks all.

Oh and by the way, here is a pick of that anubias in flower!

[Rad3Dad]

Come on everyone,
Lets get this list going. I've seen a lot of your pics, having orchids in your vivs. Whats working for you?

I just started trying to grow orchids, so I don't have any solid advice to give. But I have some Cattleya intermedia v amethystina and Encyclia tampensis seedlings that I have mounted in a few different locations throughout my viv. Its only been a couple of weeks, but all seem to be doing good so far, and have noticed some leaf growth on a couple for sure. I'm really just experimenting with them though. I will definitely follow up and let you know how things turn out with them.

Marty,
I know you have had some success with some in your viv. Is the catt. the only orchid you have in there? Its hard to tell through that jungle. It looks like you keep the misters pointed away from it. After admiring your pics again, I found the plurothalid also. Do you know what kind of ferns are growing below it.

[Tindomul]

Yea Marty, I also wanna hear about your wild and wacky times with your Catt and Pleurothalid. I've been inspired by your viv pics and want something similar for my 55 gallon tank. I've still got space in there for a big root to stick out the middle.

Do you fertilize your orchids in the tanks? I saw that the frogs do that for the Catt, but still need to ask.

[Marty]

I don't fertilize my orchids... Just frog crap.

Originally Posted by Tindomul1of9

Yea Marty, I also wanna hear about your wild and wacky times with your Catt and Pleurothalid. I've been inspired by your viv pics and want something similar for my 55 gallon tank. I've still got space in there for a big root to stick out the middle.

Do you fertilize your orchids in the tanks? I saw that the frogs do that for the Catt, but still need to ask.

[DanC]

Csweinfia pusilla has done awesome for me in a couple of vivariums. Forms a big grassy clump, blooms in profusion

[Tindomul]

I got that one too from Andy's Orchids. Cischweinfia sheehanae (pusilla)
http://www.andysorchids.com/SearchResults.asp

Its not doing so good. I didnt put it into the viv becuase it looked soo grassy. At first I tried getting it out of the basket it came in, so that ended up in a few dozen ripped up roots. Then I didnt know where to put, and put it back in its basket outside the viv. ops: ops: ops:

I know, I was really bad. The plant has dropped about 3 dozen leaves, bulb and all. And some bulbs seem to be rotting. I try to keep it moist and cool, but I don't know if it will make it. I guess it was just too big for my liking. Maybe I will try to put it in the viv again, this time without ripping up any roots.

[DanC]

Oops!

Mine started out smallish but grew to be a pretty large clump. I like the way it looks though, kinda fresh and green. I do like anything that grows well though. Except ficus!

[Tindomul]

ok, I put my C. pusillia in the 55 gallon viv. Can you say 180?
The orchid is no longer dieing. Not a single leaf has been lost since I placed it in the viv. This is definetly a viv/greenhouse plant. And I like it now, maybe cuase since it lost so many leaves it no longer looks soo grassy.