First Orchidarium

[Mapp]

Hello, all!
Recently I've found myself with a new interest- orchids. I'm not exactly sure why, but the idea of putting time and work into something to make it beautiful, even for a short time, appeals to me. I've some experience with vivaria, and lately I've been planning out my first orchidarium. But before this, I'd like to try it out on a smaller scale. I was thinking I could do a 10 gallon vert with a simple acrylic front with some sort of door (perhaps a living hinge) with a CPU fan circulating air inside with a single orchid. Now my apologies, but I know almost nothing about orchids. I know general lighting/humidity requirements, but I know even these vary greatly among orchids. Earlier today I recall looking at some care sheets, but now I can't seem to find them...
Anyways, I was just curious if anyone knew any (relatively) inexpensive small-ish orchids that would do well in this sort of setup? Would dendrobium victoria-regina work well? I found some on ebay, and the flowers are gorgeous. (Assuming I even get it to bloom) I'm just trying to get the kinks out of my system before I go grand-scale, while also keeping it reasonably attractive. I know. My priorities are a little out-of-check.
Well, thanks in advance, and pardon my ignorance. Everyone has to start somewhere.
-Matt

[stonedragonfarms]

Welcome to the board!
My experiences growing victoria-reginae have been mixed, but I was growing in a greenhouse rather than a vivarium; I think that a 10 gallon tank would be too small for the plant, this one gets quite large. It might also prove difficult to give it cool enough temps if you are growing in the house.
Have you perhaps considered any of the pleurothallids (masdevallia, pleurothallis, stelis, etc.)? There are many many very colorful masdevallias that would do well in the set-up you are planning; most like lower light levels (aside from coccinea), constant gentle air movement & high humidity.
Just my 2c,
Keep us posted,
Adam

[Mapp]

Whoops. Found the caresheets. I'm absolutely blind. Ahahah

[Magnus A]

Hi Matt
Welcome

For suggestion of plants I suggets that you go for intermediate to warm growing small plants. Maybe more to the warm growing side would be best.

Here are some suggestions:
Aerangis fastuosa
Angraecum equitans
Ascocentrum ampullaceum
Bulbophyllum lasiochilum
Bulbophyllum putidum
Haraella retrocalla
Phalaenopsis lobbii
Phalaenopsis parishii

There are a huge amount of candidates but this is a selection that should be possibly to acquire from comersial growers.

[Mapp]

Originally Posted by stonedragonfarms

Welcome to the board!
My experiences growing victoria-reginae have been mixed, but I was growing in a greenhouse rather than a vivarium; I think that a 10 gallon tank would be too small for the plant, this one gets quite large. It might also prove difficult to give it cool enough temps if you are growing in the house.
Have you perhaps considered any of the pleurothallids (masdevallia, pleurothallis, stelis, etc.)? There are many many very colorful masdevallias that would do well in the set-up you are planning; most like lower light levels (aside from coccinea), constant gentle air movement & high humidity.
Just my 2c,
Keep us posted,
Adam

Originally Posted by Magnus A

Hi Matt
Welcome

For suggestion of plants I suggets that you go for intermediate to warm growing small plants. Maybe more to the warm growing side would be best.

Here are some suggestions:
Aerangis fastuosa
Angraecum equitans
Ascocentrum ampullaceum
Bulbophyllum lasiochilum
Bulbophyllum putidum
Haraella retrocalla
Phalaenopsis lobbii
Phalaenopsis parishii

There are a huge amount of candidates but this is a selection that should be possibly to acquire from comersial growers.

Thanks for the list & the wecome, guys. I'll look into these!

[professor plant]

A 10 gallon tank is not tall enough for D. victoria reginae. I use the exo terra 18x18x24" tanks, and my vict. is a few inches from reaching the top. It has done very well though. I actually bought two, one a select cultivar. Both have continued to bloom since Sept. I agree, the flowers are stellar and it is one of my favorites. If you opt for a bigger tank, go for it.

For a 10 gln tank I would suggest. Masd. Lepanthes, Bulbo's, Pluerothallids, Poroglossums and yes some dendrobiums.

Maybe check out Dend. tetragonum or Dend. cuthbertsonii if your up for a challenge. Cuthbertsonii does want to stay cooler, but mine has been forgiving of higher temps and is growing like gang busters.

Good Luck. I still say terrariums are the way to go if you want micro managed, controlled growing. And that's what kind of orchid nut I am. Wish you the best.

[Mapp]

Originally Posted by professor plant

A 10 gallon tank is not tall enough for D. victoria reginae. I use the exo terra 18x18x24" tanks, and my vict. is a few inches from reaching the top. It has done very well though. I actually bought two, one a select cultivar. Both have continued to bloom since Sept. I agree, the flowers are stellar and it is one of my favorites. If you opt for a bigger tank, go for it.

For a 10 gln tank I would suggest. Masd. Lepanthes, Bulbo's, Pluerothallids, Poroglossums and yes some dendrobiums.

Maybe check out Dend. tetragonum or Dend. cuthbertsonii if your up for a challenge. Cuthbertsonii does want to stay cooler, but mine has been forgiving of higher temps and is growing like gang busters.

Good Luck. I still say terrariums are the way to go if you want micro managed, controlled growing. And that's what kind of orchid nut I am. Wish you the best.

Wow. I really like the cuthbertsonii. Thanks for the suggestions & help.
I just have one question. If I were to buy a flask of large seedlings of any orchid mentioned in this thread, approximately how long would it take to bloom? I'm not really planning on doing this, but it was just a thought. Thanks,
Matt
EDIT- I found the answer myself. I see it would take a couple years at least.

[WhiteRabbit]

Glad you found us!

I don't grow in terrariums, so can't help you there, sorry. I know we do have members who do, and you have gotten some suggestions, advice. Let us know how things go, please!

[Mapp]

Originally Posted by Magnus A

Hi Matt
Welcome

For suggestion of plants I suggets that you go for intermediate to warm growing small plants. Maybe more to the warm growing side would be best.

Here are some suggestions:
Aerangis fastuosa
Angraecum equitans
Ascocentrum ampullaceum
Bulbophyllum lasiochilum
Bulbophyllum putidum
Haraella retrocalla
Phalaenopsis lobbii
Phalaenopsis parishii

There are a huge amount of candidates but this is a selection that should be possibly to acquire from comersial growers.

Excuse my (potentially dumb) questions, but, assuming I had the appropriate size/number of mounting places, and they were plants of similar requirements, could I keep a few of these (maybe 3-5 plants?) in the tank? I understand they're small, but I'm not really sure how small. Again, pardon my ignorance, I'm new to all this.
-Matt

EDIT-

Glad you found us!

I don't grow in terrariums, so can't help you there, sorry. I know we do have members who do, and you have gotten some suggestions, advice. Let us know how things go, please!

Thanks for the welcome! I've already gotten some great suggestions, and I'm looking forward to spending my time here! [:

[Mapp]

So the past few days I've been compiling a list of candidates for my terrarium. Everything here (from what I've researched) is small growing and enjoys high humidity and cool to intermediate temps. If you think that something doesn't belong on this list or won't do well in these conditions, please let me know! So here goes:
Dendrobium Cuthbertsonii
Angraecum Equitans
Ascocentrum Ampullaceum
Haraella Retrocalla
Leptotes bicolor
Lepanthopsis astrophora
Pleurothallis allenii
Angraecum didieri
Cymbidium dayanum
Haraella Odorata
Trichoglottis triflora
Dedrobium Aggregatum
Dendrobium Abberans
Masdevallia Limax
Physosiphon tubatus
Masdevallia ventricosa
Platystele misera
Pleurothallis condorensis
Stelis hirtella
Mediocalcar decorata
Neofinetia falcata
Sedirea japonica
Masdevallia amabilis
Masdevallia caesia
Masdevallia lamprotyria
Masdevallia paivaeana
Masdevallia tovarensis

Humidity obviously won't be a problem, as it's a closed system and I'll mist regularly, and the temps in the room I'll be keeping it in will be anywhere between 60-75 (15- 21C). If the lights heat the tank up more than the plants can handle, I have an idea for a compound peltier cooler that might work well.

Let me know if there's any issues with my list or if you'd like to add something!
Thanks guys,
-Matt