Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have about half of the plants in my viv and am looking for a nice medium (12"maximum in bloom height) epiphytic orchid that i could get in pink, purple or white. IF anyone here knows of any hardy species that fit within these standards please respond.

Thanks, mark

What type of lighting are you using? I currently have an unknown Oncidium growing in my terrarium that is about to bloom. It would fit your criterion if your lighting is strong enough. Oncidiums are pretty easy to find--this one came from Lowe's in the clearance section for $1 (but was marked a Paph).

I would stay away from Phalaeonopsis orchids. While common, they are not free flowering, and require a 30 day period where the night temps get down in the 60's to encourage bloom (anyone repeatedly flowering phal's in a terraria with darts, please correct me if I am wrong).

I have had very good success with Dendrobium hybrids (Emma White and other hybrids in particular), but those get 18" canes, so they are too tall for your specifications.

I have several mini Cattleya hybrids that are still not blooming size, but thriving in terraria--those would definitely fit the bill. I could give you the contact info for the grower I got my minicatts from . . . but I'm not sure he still has any.

Haerella odorata (or retrocalla) is another good mini for the terraria, but much smaller than the others listed here. Some of the Pleurothallid alliance plants will also do well, but very few have large blooms.

Paph's will do well in the terraria, but are not generally good candidates for epiphytic mounting.

Oh well, I'll stop rambling and let you determine if I have given you any reasonable info.
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Homer W. Faucett III, esq.
Purveyor of Trivialities and Fine Nonsense

My lighting consists of 2, 4' flouros. They are just plain ol' cool white bulbs for now but am looking for a relitivly cheap bulb that will look a little better and be better for the plants. Do you think this is enough for an Oncidium or a Cattleya? in one of my plant books it says that Cattleyas leaves should be a delacate yellow shade of green when its in correct lighting but doesn't say if that is allot or a little. Also i was wondering if my lighting would be concidered Low, Medium or High light. Sorry for rambling on but i am new to orchids (except for jewels)and am just really lost in the expance of info about each kind.

Thank you very much, mark

I would say that your lighting would be considered low. It is probably not high enough for Catts or Oncidiums--the darker green a plant leaf is, the less light it is getting (in general). You might consider some compact fluorescents or another set of shop lights (for two total sets) if you are dead set on raising floriferous orchids . . . otherwise, your lights will do just fine for most terrarium plants.

You might consider getting some daylight bulbs for the shop light (or just one daylight bulb and one cool white bulb to save money). Anyway, you weren't rambling at all. If you don't ask questions, you can't learn. That's what a forum is all about.

Homer
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Homer W. Faucett III, esq.
Purveyor of Trivialities and Fine Nonsense

I dont really think i will be able to fit another shop light over the tank, but mabe somewhere down the road i will do compact flouros. Thannks for all the help and advise, mabe i will just settle for a nice orchid outside the viv in a bright window. Thanks again, mark