Orchidarium progress

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Hi all,

With recent requests and interest, I have been inspired to post some new pictures of my setup. Okay, the first set of pics are pretty bad. But what the hay.
First off are all the Masdevallias I have. I have 4 species, maybe. I bought 4, and divided almost all of them. As a result, I know I have at least three, possibly 4. The leaves all look the same. The only one I know I have is M. tovarensis, and I also should have M. rolfiana, M. barleana, and M. floribunda.
These pics are intended to show the new root growths and possibly new leaf growths.
Sorry they are not pretty.
This one you can see towards the top some new roots digging into the background. Also the upright leaves are new leaves, while the rest of the plant is drooping, but in good health.


This is a different Masdie doing the same thing, new roots, new leaves



This is the only division of one of the three miniature Masdies that has survived long enough to put on new growths and new roots. Finally! I've lost almost all of the small 4 or 5 or less leaved divisions :_(


This is either a the third Masdie, or its a division from one of the other two. In anycase, this is the one Im truley worried about. No new roots, no new growths, and it has recently lost a leaf. The roots are starting to look brown as well. I sure hope its not the M. barleana. I'm going to move it to a brighter area.


This is M. tovarensis, its a giant compared to others. As a result I had no way of mounting it directly to any background. Its too heavy or too big to fit in a place that would support it. So I left it in its basket and mounted the basket. Not so pretty but whatever. This has new roots and new leaf growths, and I have been slowly taking away the sphagnum moss which never ever dries. I'm afraid to rot it, but am afraid to shock it as well.


It came in bud, but the buds never opened, one stalk has died, and both buds turned brown and papery after a month or so.

Ok, thanks for bearing through the ugly photos. Now as a reward, here are some nice photos. Updates of the whole orchidarium so you can get an idea of where everything is, that is, if you got a good eye for shapes and can distinguish the green from the green. hehe.
This was taken withougt a flash. The glaring white light above it is a 130 watt Power Compact lighting setup at 6500K.
The tank is 30 inches tall.

Top view

Bottom view

Midlevel view with Phal. Mini Mark in bloom (last flower for this guy, after 5 months non stop).

I hope you all enjoyed this post, and please leave some comments, I need feedback.


Click here to vew full article on OrchidBoard.com ...

[Studdlygoof]

Very nice setup and plants...everything looks very moist...ever have any problems with root rot with the orchids attached to the background?