Paludarium Research Phase

[Kaluden]

I am looking for information at the moment.

I have a 75 gallon tank that I am considering turning into a paludarium. The thing is, that I do not want typical plants. I want to have aprox half the tank full of water so that I can have some sort of fishes. Not sure what fish to put in. I would also like to consider an amphibious creature but I would need suggestions on either route. I could also use suggestions on the type of moss ground cover I would use to cover almost all the ground area in a nice soft green coat.

For a setup I would like to have an underground fed spring "lake" in the middle of the land that then travels in a "river" down to the main body of water.

For the flora I would like mostly bonsai tree's that I would grow in this. Around the lake I would like a strait standing tree, I was considering birch. Then on the "shore" of the main body I would like to have a hanging tree that I can train to be out over the water. I am thinking along the lines of a Weeping willow or Japanese Wisteria.

My main thing here is that I am by no means a plant expert, so when looking at the bonsai tree possibilities I see things listed by zones, I understand the areas but this doesn't help me much when it is in a highly lit enclosed moist area. The nearest I can tell is that the conditions would replicate that of conditions in florida or other warm humid areas.

So what kind of trees could I use and have healthy in this setup? What kind of moss should I be looking for? Can you suggest some other smaller flowering plants? Can you suggest maybe an amphibious beast that will not eat my bonsai?

Just a side note, this is going to be a LONG time build, first being a few months of research while I start by ordering some suggested tree seeds and get those started.

Please, help, suggestions, links, whatever you got let me have it!

Thanks!

[HewesHort]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

your intrest in bonsai is great, my first suggestion is to get some good beginners books on bonsai. you are in for a long wait if you decide to start trees from seed. for trees that are suitable for vivs look, into species that are popular in tropical areas esp. south east Asia and species that like their feet wet. i have been growing bonsai for many years, and have had little success keeping any species in tanks. ficus and bouganvilla do ok for a while, but both pose potential danger to animals. air flow seems to be your limiting factor, the problem is strong air flow kills your humidity. willow might work, i have never tried it, but i do have some rooted cuttings. ill put one in my FBT palu and see how it goes.

use moss you collect from outside, sanitize it with co2, there is a good article in the articles section. there is a list of plants in the plant forum that are suited to vivs. always research anything you put with your pets, be more concerned about the plants harming the animals not the other way around. maybe someone with more husbandry experience can make some animal suggestions, im just a plant nerd.

check out Art of Bonsai for info and inspiration, join the forums the folks there are great, too!

Welcome to the forums and good luck!

[Kaluden]

Thanks for the welcome!

I have been interested in bonsai for many many years but just have not had the patience or the initiative to do anything about it. I am probably going to use seeds to do the bonsai that I really really want to do for long term. I have been doing a bit of research on making some cuttings of trees in the park or something and trying those out as some practice bonsai. I will have to check out the other site you mentioned.

I never thought of the air flow thing, it makes sense though. I will have to try doing a small scale air exchange system in order to get the needed air in... Would have to somehow do it low enough to keep humidity yet high enough to keep plant alive...

The reason I ask for animal suggestions that wont eat my plants is because my real interest is just a bonsai type garden with water feature inside. The creature is just an added after thought that if it doesnt work, will not go in and I will just have a few fish.

For moss, I knew where to find it back when I lived in oregon, but out here in Minnesota... not sure, I will have to keep an eye out for what I want.

You say you have had little success with keeping bonsai enclosed. I am curious which types of trees you have tried it with. Have you tried any air exchange? and I wont necessarily have it fully enclosed, it may have an open top if I dont have an amphibian in the tank, think that would help?

[HewesHort]

i have kept my more sensitive trees in a 55g tank over winter, even my small ficus start to deteriorate if i dont move them outside in spring. seeds are very rewarding, but as you learn more you will most likely decide you dont want to wait for it to thicken up, when you start your seeds allow them to grow in the ground or large pots for a few years so they can develop a strong root system. a faster way to get some practice is to go down to your local nursery and select a nice 1g or 5g shrub and style it. always keep in mind that you will kill some trees, some will be your fault some will die no matter what you do. learn as much as you can and study other peoples work.

if you can over come the ventilation issues Acer palmatum might be worth a try

[Kaluden]

My main problem is the fact that i live in townhomes so i dont really have a yard to grow bonsai in. Thus the reason for the strange indoor type setup.

What type of shrub is good to practice on?

do you have any suggestions on books?

[HewesHort]

some good starter shrubs would be juniper, escallonia, privet, xylosoma, or pittosporum tenufolium.

Sunset puts out a good beginners book, find out if there is a bonsai society in your area. go to their meetings, ime most people are happy to help a newcomer.