I don't recall when my interest in orchids started, though for the longest time I viewed them as unapproachable, something best left to others. I had mild success growing an orchid or two as a child, though nothing bloomed. One turning point was when Mike Shrom took me to an orchid show at Parkside Orchids.
Scaphosepalum rapax (please feel free to zoom in on this one, I'm quite fond of the flower)
Their impressive selection and the likes of orchid growers like Lynn O'Shaughnessy helped solidify my interest. I still didn't think I was ready to attempt growing them, but I knew at some point in the future I would like to try.
I'm very pleased with how orchids have been doing in my terraria (I've been corrected from previously using 'terrariums')-- and I attribute some success to the combination of misting and high air flow. I've been playing with different misting strategies to maximize evaporative cooling and drying between sprayings, and I think it's helping. If anyone wants more detail to the closed circuit air circulation (computer fans) or misting, comment below.
Platystele sp.
The other day I was working at home and I stopped for a minute to see how things were doing in the 'Micro Mega Terrarium' and I noticed a few buds and blooms. One thing I love about miniature orchids is that you have to look to see them, so surprises are frequent.
Some Lepanthes coming soon:...
In other news, I have a 20 gallon long aquarium that I've been breeding some Rivulus ornatus that were kindly given to me by Ian Hiler. I believe I'll be doing a bit of a biotope project on that rescape this weekend. Stay tuned.
Any help spreading the word to others who may enjoy this blog would be appreciated. I'm not doing any active advertising so I hope word-of-mouth will work.
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