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Epiphytic plants on drift wood

2.3K views 12 replies 8 participants last post by  bsnile23  
#1 · (Edited)
Hi all,

In my exoterra terrarium I put in some drift wood in hopes of it getting lots of moss and growing some epiphytes. I used Folius moss mix and some bits of moss I had in other tanks. There seems to be a lot of Sphagnum in folius moss mix. The growth so far has been good. Here is a pic of before and present.

This is not a picture of the whole tank, just a detail of the branch holding the epiphytes.
Before

http://flic.kr/p/kMaxc4
After

http://flic.kr/p/kMa34T
A few things in flower now, Lepanthopsis astrophora (purple flowers), Platystele stenostachya (yellow flower), Ophidion pluerothallopsis (egg shapped pendant flowers) and Restrepia brachypus (orange flowers).

Actually worried about my Ceratostema rauhii, its turning red and it hasn't grown in some time.
 
#3 ·
Great work, it looks fantastic. I too would like to see a FTS. Also, please share what lighting you're using.

The Ceratostema looks okay. It's probably a little stressed. Looks like the roots aren't getting a whole lot of moisture being nestled in that tiny branch that high up. What you could do is take a small tip cutting (maybe 2 or 3 inches long) and try to root it somewhere else in the tank.
 
#6 ·
Hi, FTS???

Actually that spot gets pretty wet with constant fog and twice a day misting. But I will investigate and see if its not wet. its just seems like its wet all the time. COuld that be the stressor too?

I'm using a hydrofarm system with 8 t5 lights. The light source has about the same footprint as the tank. I placed the lights about 5 inches above the tank top to reduce heat, and have a fan blowing on it constantly to cool the air between the lights and the tank.
 
#8 ·
No frogs yet. Been eyeing something in the Ameerega genus, but I just don't know anything about them and haven't done any frog research (to keep as pets) in about 5 years. I only have a little experience with O. pumilio which died on me about 4 years ago.
Now in days I only keep two salamanders and 5 pampas toads (Melanophryniscus stelzneri), all species in separate tanks, and nothing in this tank yet.