Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Other than phaleonapsis orchids, how is one able to raise dendrobiums or other types? They need to have drops in temperature at night, down to the low 60s to high 50s. Much too cold for most dart frogs except for possibly E. tricolor, D. histronicus, D. lehmanni, and mantellas.

As far as fuschias go, does anybody know if they'll take temperatures up to 82 degrees during the day>? I know they do well in cool conditions, but all the garden forums don't really say the tolerance range. Just avoid hot, dry air. Other than that, a small one would probably be good for mantellas.

New guinea impatiens I think would go good. Anybody ever try these? I would think you'd have to make sure to pick up dead blooms so they don't mold and rot.

I hope to put a caladium in the tank. After all, they are native to the amazon along river banks. Anybody try those?

Thanks

Pitcherplant7

2 bombina orientalis
2 xenopus laevis
1 D. tinctorius "Surinam cobalt"
Goldfish, guppies, psittacine birds, and many, many carnivorous plants.

Its me again, and I think I can help. With the Dendrobiums it is all about what you chose, as all do not require a temp drop. Most of us use the canescent 'phalanopsis' type Dens. However, some of the moisture loving species, like D. farmeri, are equaly well suited for the terrarium. As are alot of the miniture species Dens. I find Bulbophyllums to be great in the tank, as well as some species of Encyclia. If you have the space, Gongora and Stanhopea also do well.

Fushcia will up and die on you. Being native to the UK, they don't take well to the conditions in the terrarium. Though they may possibly work with some cooling in a Golden Mantella tank.

Impatiens and Caladiums are fine choices.

With the Mantellas keep in mind that within the genus there are both lowland tropical and high-elevation species that like quite different conditions. Just like Nepenthes.

Jay

I threw two unrooted impatiens cuttings into a new 10 gallon I was planting about two months ago. I am impressed how it took off and rooted and began blooming almost immediately. I ahve not picked up the dead blooms and they seem to decay into the substrate without problem. Impatiens seem well suited to the warmth and high humity of the viv.

Its also not a bad way to propagate impatiens either.

Dartz

I grow many different Pleurothallid orchids in my dart tanks. All are mounted on treefern as I use treefern as my background. This permits good drainage. The lid has about a 1" space along the back that is covered in a fine sheer material. This helps permit evaporation. As far a low temps go, when I began keeping darts I was told to not let them go below 65 - 60 degrees. Mine regularly get around 60 degrees and for extended periods of time get even lower. I believe this helps some of the specie to breed. I keep fantasticus, imitator, lamasi, amazonicus, vents, pumilio and others without problem. I hope this helps some.

Jon Werner