Heat and light loving orchids for top of tall terrarium
 

Hi, this is my first post on OB, hopefully it is in the right thread.

I just converted a glass/metal cabinet to a tall terrarium for orchids. It is 2 meters tall in total and at the top I have a 225w Samsung led board. I have placed different orchids top to bottom according to light requirements (care advice from the internet). There are two strong fans to ensure circulation and cooling. Most orchids are rooting and seem ok.

But,
towards the top, I placed Cattleyas and it is too warm/bright. I had to move them. My question is: are there orchids that like even more light intensity than Cattleyas in addition to heat and fast drying after watering, that could be suitable?

That is a good question, and I wish(being a new person to orchids)I could give you a good answer. But I do have a question myself will the enclosure have any sort of misting or such to keep its humidity level up? Even something simple to start with.

Thanks, yes I just hand-mist at the moment. This keeps the humidity (in the middle of the terrarium) at 99% after misting and down to minimum 60%. The humidity is higher at night when the lights and fans are off. I would say between 80-90%.

First, welcome aboard!

I think your biggest problem will be finding plants of manageable size for the conditions. There are some vandaceous plants that thrive hot and bright, but they can get big. Maybe hybrids with V. miniatum or ampullaceum in the background?

Yes! I bought a Vanda along with the other orchids this summer, thought it would do great on the back wall. Forgot to check the size and it was 120 cm tall with roots and all. It currently resides in one of my windows.
I will keep a look out for some of the mini-types. Thanks.

Put some of the high light Tillandsias near the top.

Thanks, I will keep an eye out for those as well. I guess it is the reddish ones that appreciate more light.

Do some reading. Many live on rocks or sand in sun. They tend to be very white, not red. Off hand I can think of T. araujei, bergeri, concolor, intermedia, ixioides, paleacea, purpurea, straminea. They need to become dry each day or they are likely to rot.

Tillandsia tectorum wants very high light, but cooler temperatures and low daytime humidity. Tillandsia ionantha usually wants less than full sun, but if it doesn't get too hot in there, might do well.