Orchids in Terrariums

[biggestmike]

I currently am growing a terrarium full of common plants. I have a green anole (lizard) in residence. I plan to start a tank containing bromeliads, ferns, and orchids. Bromeliads and ferns I am fairly familiar with. I do, however have several questions concerning orchid care. My first question is this: I would like to put a small critter in my orchid tank. Will crickets eat my prize plants?

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Aren't crickets related to those voracious vegetarians, locusts and grasshoppers? I think I'd go for a frog. What ever you feed the lizard, you could probably feed to the frog.

[Pconch]

If you are doing well enough to keep everything alive and healthy with proper airflow and lighting I would not worry too much.

Crickets and superworms are voracious eaters, but so are happy green anoles (anolis carolensis). Try not to put too many crickets in at once (they will sometimes even try to eat lazy lizards).

I would recomend adding a cuban (bannana) tree frog to police up any straggling food items. It should get on just fine with your lizard.

Also try supplementing their diet with things like wax worms, they are good for the critters and wont eat the plants.

Show us a picture when you are done!

[Fabolusus]

I have been keeping a green anole in a fully planted vivarium for 4 years now. I have tried many different types of plants, including orchids with varying levels of success. I have had the most success with anthuriums and jewel orchids. Depending on your drainage method, I would not plant an orchid directly into your substrate. Keep it in its own pot, and hide the pot with substrate or pebbles if you are going for a natural look. Also, NEVER mix species in a single terrarium! This is the number one rule of herpers!! In the wild, anoles have huge territories. When they come into contact with a competing species, including frogs, snakes, other lizards, birds, etc., they have plenty of room to move around. In captivity, it is nearly impossible to recreate these conditions. Also, anoles are prone to die of prolonged stress. A frog would most likely never directly hurt an anole, but the anole would be constantly stressed out just being aware of the frog. I have never had a problem with crickets eating my plants. I feed my anole one cricket at a time and then remove any that got away. My anole's fav food are "pheonix worms". They are alot slower than crickets, and contain almost no chitin. Also, you can leave them in the terrarium without any problems. After 3-4 days, they morph into soldier flies, which are also an anoles fav food!