Miniature orchids suited for terrarium
 

Hello, I'm in need of some advice and suggestions. I have a fairly large vivarium with 2 dart frog inhabitants and i would like to incorporate orchids into the tank. My tank info is as follows:

Temperature ranges during the day between 74-80°F with a nightfall drop as low 68°F in winter.

Humidity levels are pretty stable at around 80-90%. There is also a misting system that comes on 2X daily and a fogger that also comes on early morning and evening before the lights go out.

Full spectrum lighting runs 12 hrs. on 12 off with some areas of the tank being shaded.

Which miniature orchids if any, will thrive in this set up? Please give me as many suggestions as possible. Also if it helps, there is currently a sedirea japonica thriving in the tank. There are plenty of wood branches and cork for mouning. Input is much appreciated.-Alex

Sorry I can't help but am giving you a bump.
Joann

Lots of Bulbophyllums should do well in your setup. I really enjoy some of the mini cirrhopetaloid types like pecten-veneris (tingabarinum), gracillimum, hirundinis, setaceum, etc., but there are a lot of other great species available. What other plants are you growing in there besides the Sedirea?

--Nat

Thx Joann, your bump worked :bowing

Nat, thanks for your suggestions. I will start researching some of those. There is currently an Epigeneium which is doing ok. There was a Neofineia falcata, B. Nodosa, and a Leptotes bicolor in there. None of these did great.

Other than this its pretty much the typical vivarium plants, jewel orchids, moss, begonias, air plants, bromeliads, spider ferns, anthuriums, begonias, and pothos. Pretty much ho hum, so I was looking for something more challenging yet rewarding. Hopefully something that flowered or had visual interest.

You're welcome! I'd guess that those that didn't do as well in your tank need either a more pronounced wet/dry cycle or more air movement (and in the case of Neofinetia, probably a cooler winter period). Things that like or tolerate fairly constant moisture and little year-round temperature variation are probably your best bet. You might enjoy some of the IW-growing Pleurothallids (incl. Masdevallia, Pleurothallis, Lepanthes, Restrepia, and numerous other genera), there is a huge variety of species many of which are from moist habitats. I have so far been unsuccessful with these in my windowsills but many are small, showy, and seemingly undemanding if you have the right conditions (usually including high humidity). Hope this helps! :)

--Nat

Nat, totally lame question what is "IW"? I looked in the glossary before I replied and found no defenition. Thanks-Alex

Sorry! 'Intermediate-warm,' shorthand to describe your indicated temperature range, though if you never get over 80 F I guess that's pretty solid 'intermediate.'

--Nat

Haraella retrocalla is lovely. It is a past project plant if you want to look it up.