orchid in a fish tank? I hope this works!

[Yiu Lin]

We created a fish tank, with a large log where we drape alot of plants. The filter system pours the water back on top of a large log that sits more than half out of the fish tank. In the past, I've put weed-like plants on the log, and they grow really well (I think it is all the natural fertiliser from the fish poo that helps).

I've just tried mounting a noid phal on the log. I've positioned the phal at the top part of the log, where there is no water, so I will still have to mist it regularly.
This is a rescued phal, that had bad root rot. I got it 2 weeks ago, along with 4 other phals. All the other phals have been doing well (new roots and new leaves!). But this one hasn't done anything. The good news is that it hasn't gotten any worse either. Leaves still are firm and healthy. So I'm hopeful.
I know that 2 weeks is too short a time to tell, but I figured by mounting it, I'd be able to spot what is going on with the roots better.

If this works, I'll repopulate the entire log with orchids! Fingers crossed
For those that can't see it in the whole fish tank pic, it's on the right side.

[digitalgate]

take it out. the root will rot. Our weather is hot and wet. Dry is important to offset
rotting process.

[Yiu Lin]

the actual roots do not touch the wet part of the log. The part that I've mounted it to is completely dry and I will have to mist it.
So apart from the high humidity (from the fish tank), this log will be just like any other log that orchids are mounted to. I will probably cut back on the misting slightly, taking into account the humidity.

[digitalgate]

when it is too wet in our weather, fungus and mold grow on the plant. It is very difficult to get rid of
them in the future. When the wrong kind established itself, the leave will have black spot
and spread through out the whole plant. You end up spraying fungicides that will drip into
the aquarium and kill the fish. Without the fungicides , fungus will overwhelmed the plant
and killing it in the process. Either case is a lose-lose situation. Plus you might not provide enough light as the fish tank cannot be close natural sunlight. Too much of
natural sunlight encourage the growing of algae. Algae is harmless but clearning the
fish tank is just troublesome.
How did you provide light for the plant?

[made4engineering]

Oh just try it... It will be interesting to see what happens

[solay]

Never hurts to try one and see. Then at least you won't be wondering whether it was a good idea or not.

[Yiu Lin]

The fish tank is about 3 feet away from by balcony window, so the phal is not far from where I keep my normal phals. No direct sunlight, but indirect sunlight all day long.
Yes, algae grows in my fish tank, and the lower parts of the log is covered in natural moss. I've put a sucker fish in the tank that eats all the algae, so this isn't a problem.
I think I'll just leave it there for a couple of weeks to see what happens.

[cloudswinger]

There are plenty of orchids that live right next to streams and such. I don't know if phals in particular live that way, but orchids are pretty adaptable. And if the phal grows onto the wet part, that's not that big of a deal, since that's what they do in semi-hydro. It'll be fine.

[articuno75]

I'm excited to see what happens. Maybe if you used a fan for air circulation to reduce the chances of fungus and rot like Digitalgate mentioned.

[Paul]

I would not worry about it either. Think of it as an experiment if nothing else. Particularly since your water is constantly moving, I'd agree with Cloud --if roots grow on the wet area, the plant will probably do just find. (I've seen a vanda in a greenhouse growing over a pond. Its roots had actually grown down 3 feet to the ponds surface and kept right on going. It had at least 3 feet -- about 1 meter --of roots growing quite happily along the BOTTOM of the pond. It is amazing sometimes what they can adapt to.)

[Yiu Lin]

Just to give an update - the experiment failed...
After a while the bottom leaf fell off./ I must have been due to rot, as it was still healthy and green when it just dropped off.
I took it out of the fish tank, and repotted it in clay pellets. I let it dry out and watered sparingly. I stuck it up on the top shelf, where I rarely look and had actually given it up for dead, cos it only had 2 leaves left and zero roots.
So I was pleasantly surprised last week, when I saw a new leaf growing. It's getting bigger everyday.
Orchids sure are tough little things

[solay]

Sorry the fish tank experiment didn't work out. I'm glad you were able to save the orchid though. Yes, they can be surprisingly tough. Lucky for us!

[digitalgate]

never mind, you gain experience from bad experiment . Just tell that to the hundreds of
orchids i "murdered".