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terrarium plant ideas

Discussion in 'Growing Areas' started by Bronze, Dec 10, 2015.

  1. Dec 10, 2015 #1
    Bronze

    Bronze Member

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    Ok so I'm almost don't putting together a small vertical 10 gallon aquarium made into a terrarium. I used spray black foam for the back ground covered in silicone and then eco earth. I will post pictures in the next few days. I'm looking for ideas or some cool plants to put into 4 small spots on the back wall. Thanks
     
  2. Dec 10, 2015 #2
    blestbeing

    blestbeing Member

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    I have seen examples of incredibly small mini Phalaenopsis with flowers whose colors will blow your mind. As far as a non orchid type of plant, I have always been partial to a rabbit's foot fern it is incredibly gorgeous and if memory serves me a member of the asparagus family. Either Plumosa or Lindenii. I'm not sure. Its fronds come up and then level out in a horizontal triangle with delicate hair-like cilia resembling dill weed. When I read your post I immediately thought about creating a mini waterfall feature. You could probably created for about $3. A small aquarium air pump from Goodwill, a couple of feet of tubing and an airstone. It sounds like a great project. I Look forward to see the results
     
  3. Dec 10, 2015 #3
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Until you know what the temperature range is going to be, it is hard to know what orchids would do well.
     
  4. Dec 10, 2015 #4
    Bronze

    Bronze Member

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    Currently I'm not going to make a running water feature. Its just going to have a small drainage type pond just so I can keep water levels correct if I can get it to work out. As for plants I do have a couple that are going in. A couple very very small type ferns not sure which type but I found them growing around the base of trees also I have another type of fern I found growing on the side of trees I will put on the wall somewhere , and a very small piece of dendrobium jenkensii..although I'm not sure how well that will do but it's not doing well mounted on cork in my window.
     
  5. Dec 10, 2015 #5
    blestbeing

    blestbeing Member

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    The very best of luck to you. You will figure out what works best with what overtime. It's all part of the fun of the learning curve. It sorta sucks when things don't work out but when they do it is great
     
  6. Dec 11, 2015 #6
    Bronze

    Bronze Member

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    Ok so far so good or I think at least.
     

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  7. Dec 11, 2015 #7
    Bronze

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    Here are a couple more ofbky progress and what I have in it so far. ;)
     

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  8. Dec 11, 2015 #8
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Looks like a great start. Keep us posted.
     
  9. Dec 12, 2015 #9
    Bronze

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    Everything seems to be running decent so far. Looks like my temps will be in the 65 to 75 degree area. Now to figure out some neat plants for the wall. The ground itself is a touch wet but that shouldn't bother anything on the wall.
     
  10. Dec 13, 2015 #10
    blestbeing

    blestbeing Member

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    Beautiful project. I have a question, doesn't that spray foam give off a toxic gas?
     
  11. Dec 13, 2015 #11
    Bronze

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    It doesn't have a smell after its dry. I saw a ton of other projects made with similiar materials. The only thing I can notice still is the silicone smell...I left it open over a week so far but it's going away slowly as well. This is my 1st terrarium too so I guess time will tell. But if it eventually grows in nicely after I get it planted and the silicone smell is gone I'm thinking about adding a 1st dart frog. This will be a few months down the road.
     
  12. Dec 13, 2015 #12
    DPfarr

    DPfarr Well-Known Member

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    What about a Harella retrocalla?

    The jenkinsii might be a little challenging to bloom per light, temp and dryness cycles.
     
  13. Dec 15, 2015 #13
    Bronze

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    I've gotten it to bloom once since I've had it a few years but now it's such a small piece left. So you think the terrarium it will be to dry or to wet for it? The light is a cfl 26 watt made for plant growth. 15000 lumens at 4 inches from top.. bottom of tank is around 1000 lumens 6700 Kelvin range. Also the Harella retrocalla looks nice.