Branch viv

I have had this idea for 4-5 years. To make a vivarium piece that gives you the impression that a piece of rainforest branch with epiphytes has been cut off and sealed it in a glass box.
There has always been details that have stopped me from finalizing it. Technical shortcomings and the problem of using a real tree branch that would disintegrate rather fast.
All pieces has finally fallen together with materials, technique and ways of working.




The branch is made up of a hollow cork trunk that has been fitted with two water containers (two pieces of 1,5 litre PET-bottles) in the cavity inside. From each of the containers there is a Hygrolon wick that supplies the Hygrolon sheet with a constant addition of fresh water.
Underneath the Hygrolon sheet is plastic sheet that acts as a water barrier to prevent the cork to get wet (and start decaying).
The branch is suspended between the sides of the vivarium.



Water reservoirs last for 2 weeks and are filled through the holes for the wicks.

An 3960 lumen @6500K UHOP-Led panel provides light.

I will post a step-by-step description on how this is done soon.

 

There are different ways of using Hygrolon. You can use it like this, acting like a moist keeping mat for species that is depending on a constant feed of moisture and that never should dry out ( many Lepanthes etc).
You can use it on slabs to act as a moist retaining material (instead of sphagnum) for mounted plants in general. Or you can use it as potting material. And depending on how frequent you water it will suit most species you normally grow potted.

I think of Hygrolon as a synthetic version of a bark/sphagnum/moss hybrid. And it was also the research and development goal in the development of Hygrolon.

 

I will take updated pictures of this soon.

 

Hi all, Its definately time for a update of this. The viv has now been running since april last year. More or less 9 months.

The log with its internal water reservoir has been functioning very well.
I had one small outbreak of fungus gnats that affected some of the Lellingerias and a couple of Hymenophyllums. I treated with nematodes and all got back on track.

If it hadn't been for the fungus gnat atack the viv could have come a little bit further. Especially the Hymenophyllums that are slow growers as it is.

I hope you enjoy!

Front shot



Full frontal view



Side view



Detail