I'm building a vivarium and I need some advice

[Heterozygousblbl]

I have always loved orchids, but have had horrid luck with the few I have purchased in the past. Then I got a cat, and all hope of any houseplant ever surviving was annihilated.

I really do love orchids though, and my recent decision of purchasing a gecko and construct its vivarium has presented me with the opportunity (or so I hope) to both keep orchids and keep them away from the cat.

Seeing as though I am very much a newbie when it comes to orchids, (I know what a phal is, but that is the extend of it...) I was wondering if you all could help suggest some potential plants for my vivarium. Since it is more of the gecko's home, I have to work within the parameters of the gecko which probably limits the plants I can get.

I will be constructing my own acrylic vivarium, so I can build in ventilation as necessary. It will be 30"Lx12"Dx25"H (with 5" of the height being taken by drainage and substrate - coco fiber and sphagnum moss)

Temperature must be between 72 and 80 degrees, so they will mostly just stay at room temperature, with the light raising it slightly.

I will need to have around 12 to 14 hours of light, but intensity is negotiable.

Humidity will be 50-75%.

Also seeing as the gecko is semi aboreal, there will be places to anchor epiphytic orchids, although, I don't know if my humidity will be enough.

Also it would help if these plants were newbie friendly, but I always enjoy a challenge

Thanks for all of your help!

[Julez]

Hello and Welcome Heterozygousblbl

You will find some helpful tips and links here.

Terrarium Setup


There are several members who have "critters" in their vivariums who will be along soon.

If you have not already done so please by the introduction section and introduce yourself to everyone, you will find this to be a very friendly and helpful forum.

[Schlyne]

Hi, what kind of gecko were you planning on getting? What's your experience with them? I've been working with reptiles for years (it's really my main hobby/side business), so if you want some good beginner suggestions, and reputable dealers, I can point you in the right direction.

[Hummer344]

Although many orchids would thrive in your evironment, the constant temps would be a deterrant to reblooming. Phal's, for one, need a day/night temp swing of 10-15 degrees in order to set spike. Do your research on all aspects of a particular plant before putting in your vivarium

[Heterozygousblbl]

I will be getting a gargoyle gecko. While I don't have any experiences with geckos, I do know a lot of people who do. It was only a matter of time before they sucked me in!

My friend's gargs just laid a clutch which was what made me decide I wanted to give this whole project a go.

As for the temperature fluctuations, that answers a lot. I was never able to have my phals rebloom and I guess that's why I'm not sure how forgiving a reptile would be to that though. I might want to look into orchids that have more interesting leaves than flowers in that case.

[kid a]

a jewel orchid is perfect for a terrarium. It has beautiful foliage that is green with silvery rd veins. It can be grown in peat moss or coco husk fibers. No need to keep it in a pot just grow it in the substrate as long as it stay moinst it will be good to go. I used to put my cuttings in the terrarium to root them. It is called Ludiscia discolor. there are several different types of jewel orchids though. Also there is an issue of the magazine the AOS sends out I think from November either last year or a year before that showcases a huge one and has a list of the plants they used and when they bloomed if you know anyone or if you have old issues of the mag.

[Anisa]

The smaller forms of bulbophyllums will do great. They love lots of humidity, do not need bright light and provide nice coverage in terrarium; they grow great mounted on pretty much anything if provided enough humidity. I am not sure if you need to have temperature fluctuation to get them bloom but i just love those cute little bulbs they have.

[Schlyne]

gargoyle geckos can take normal household temps without any additional heat. and they're a good beginner species. not that much different from a crested gecko, just a little bigger. I love the knobby heads Really, you just can't keep juvie's together, as they'll tend to eat each other's tails.

I've never kept gargoyles, but I used to raise and breed cresties..someday I"ll get a gargoyle...and someday I'm getting my leachie! I want a gecko that's so big it feels like you're holding a small puppy

You will probably get a small temperature variation anyway, just not throughout the entire cage, depending on where it its placed. You may have a warmer spot at the top of the cage and cooler at the bottom or something. Or you may be able to provide a small basking spot or something at times...you'll have to discuss it some more with your experienced gargoyle keepers.

Btw, since gargoyle geckos do feed on nectar and pollen a bit, you may find your gecko in the future licking/pollenating your orchids

[kid a]

also one of our members wronte an article about his wardian case I happened to stumble upon earlier this evening while searching for something else he gives all kinds of info and a list of the wardian friendly plants My 55 Gallon Wardian Case, by Prem Subrahmanyam

[Heterozygousblbl]

Originally Posted by Schlyne

gargoyle geckos can take normal household temps without any additional heat. and they're a good beginner species. not that much different from a crested gecko, just a little bigger. I love the knobby heads Really, you just can't keep juvie's together, as they'll tend to eat each other's tails.

I've never kept gargoyles, but I used to raise and breed cresties..someday I"ll get a gargoyle...and someday I'm getting my leachie! I want a gecko that's so big it feels like you're holding a small puppy

You will probably get a small temperature variation anyway, just not throughout the entire cage, depending on where it its placed. You may have a warmer spot at the top of the cage and cooler at the bottom or something. Or you may be able to provide a small basking spot or something at times...you'll have to discuss it some more with your experienced gargoyle keepers.

Btw, since gargoyle geckos do feed on nectar and pollen a bit, you may find your gecko in the future licking/pollenating your orchids

Haha I haven't held a leachie, but I've seen them. They're gorgeous geckos My personal favorites are gargs and chahoua. I like the plainer ones, that look like they are made of bark and moss.

[Heterozygousblbl]

Originally Posted by Anisa

The smaller forms of bulbophyllums will do great. They love lots of humidity, do not need bright light and provide nice coverage in terrarium; they grow great mounted on pretty much anything if provided enough humidity. I am not sure if you need to have temperature fluctuation to get them bloom but i just love those cute little bulbs they have.

Ooh thank you! They have a nice variation of plants that would look great