Mounting Broms?

geckomann · #1 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 02:21 AM

Im a total novice to all this but decided to make an extra 12x12x18 exo i had into a terrarium . I finished the great stuff, siliconed it. I also built in a waterfall into the background. Now im looking at plants and was wondering if all bromeliads be mounted? Also are theyre any types of moss that can grow underwater? Sorry for the sideways photos.

james67 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 02:23 AM

pretty much. i mount all my neo.s

cryptanthus are brom-like and are terrestrial.

i'd add some long fiber sphagnum and then a layer of leaf litter to that tank, though.
james

Jason DeSantis · #3 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 02:40 AM

Heres a good one mounting epiphytes to cork.
I cant say I agree with the adding of sphagnm but lots of things work. You can use toothpicks, floral wire or my favorite method just put the stolon on a hole.
J

james67 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 02:53 AM

i mean adding sphagnum as a substrate layer over the rocks

bare rocks arent a good substrate for darts
i do this with every tank i've ever built, and its never failed me.

james

Jason DeSantis · #5 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by james67

i mean adding sphagnum as a substrate layer over the rocks

bare rocks arent a good substrate for darts
i do this with every tank i've ever built, and its never failed me.

james

James, I was referring to mounting the broms in the thread I posted with sphagnum. Certain broms can be mounted but only if they have really good rainage around the base and roots. Some "mosses" that can be submerged are riccia and java. There are some more but cant remember them right now. You can see some of them on ebay store under aquarium plants.
J

geckomann · #6 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by james67

i mean adding sphagnum as a substrate layer over the rocks

bare rocks arent a good substrate for darts
i do this with every tank i've ever built, and its never failed me.

james

The tank isnt done yet i am planning on adding substrate obviously but havent gotten to it. And im still not sure if im gonna get frogs for it or not. I think i might just leave it as a terrarium with no animals.

james67 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 03:30 AM

it might be nice for some electric blue day geckos (williamsii) and they're pretty cheap (compared to darts) and stunning looking

james

Kazra · #8 (**permalink**) 03-08-2010, 04:20 PM

A question...

Should all Broms be mounted or potted in a background? That seems to be the popular course of action around here, as opposed to planting them directly in the Substrate. Forgive my question should it seem ignorant, I am new to the hobby and want everything I can control to go smoothly.

AFHokie03 · #9 (**permalink**) 03-08-2010, 04:32 PM

You CAN go either way, but planting them will greatly increase the chances of rot if you don't have a lot of drainage. I have all my broms mounted, some by sticking the stolon in the background, some glued on with a hot-glue gun. We have a couple hot-glued onto a fake rock wall and they are growing great. No sphagnum, no soil, and the rock dries out relatively quickly and the broms are rooting very well, just using the ambient humidity. The only way I've damaged a brom is too much moisture.

james67 · #10 (**permalink**) 03-08-2010, 04:37 PM

broms are epiphytes meaning plants that grow on other plants, although they can grow on other surfaces as well such as rock. they grow naturally far away from any substrate on the trunks and branches of trees. the reason for keeping them out of the soil, is because they will rot, since this is not the environment they are suited for growing in.

in short, mount your broms. they will be much happier.

james