RETF vivarium needs plant ideas!

[tinkgirl77]

Thanks so much again, you're again, an awesome help!

[tinkgirl77]

Bill, You seem to know your stuff on plants... any specific plants that you would consider easier/beginners? I love the orchids and bursts of color but My full size orchids have not been doing so hot lol.

[deranged chipmunk]

pothos are easy. almost impossible to kill. almost. ferns are pretty much autopilot plants. just remember that most ferns WILL grow huge if you don't keep them under control. i have a soft spot for prayer plants. i forget the species name, but a prayer plant was the first plant my mom gave me to grow when i was but a wee lad. diffenbachia as well. diff's will also grow huge, so trimming will eventually be required. these are all easily purchased at big box stores. depending on your locale, some places still have some nice plants in their garden centers, even at this time of year.

you can also use some bonsai plants. however, do research on these first. very important because some bonsai plants are of the pine family and they would only rot and die in a humid environment. i also believe pine is toxic to some frogs? but there are bonsai plants like ficus benjamina (which grow to 100+ feet in the rainforest) that can be trained to stay within the confines of a vivarium.

remember that orchids are cyclic plants. they bloom in cycles. they flower, then go dormant for a bit, then bloom again. my guess is you are growing phaelenopsis orchids and they are at the end of their bloom. just be patient, water it once a week and it will bloom again

[arielgasca420]

pothos are easy. almost impossible to kill. almost. ferns are pretty much autopilot plants. just remember that most ferns WILL grow huge if you don't keep them under control. i have a soft spot for prayer plants. i forget the species name, but a prayer plant was the first plant my mom gave me to grow when i was but a wee lad. diffenbachia as well. diff's will also grow huge, so trimming will eventually be required. these are all easily purchased at big box stores. depending on your locale, some places still have some nice plants in their garden centers, even at this time of year.

you can also use some bonsai plants. however, do research on these first. very important because some bonsai plants are of the pine family and they would only rot and die in a humid environment. i also believe pine is toxic to some frogs? but there are bonsai plants like ficus benjamina (which grow to 100+ feet in the rainforest) that can be trained to stay within the confines of a vivarium.

remember that orchids are cyclic plants. they bloom in cycles. they flower, then go dormant for a bit, then bloom again. my guess is you are growing phaelenopsis orchids and they are at the end of their bloom. just be patient, water it once a week and it will bloom again

Bill is totally spot on witht he plants and speaks my kind of language.
Maranta Leucoreua is the prayer plant. I may have mispelled it...They are awesome looking tropical plants and more vibrant than pothos. Be careful with Dieffenbachia. If you have sensitive skin like me then it is best to keep away. and by no means should you or any of your pets ever ingest this plant. There is a reason they call it the "Dumb Cane"
The bonsai family is a tough one and requires experience and constant attention and the only problem I could see is that they put off phenols which can cause respiratory problems in animals. Bill is absolutely right about Ficus benjamina. There are a few other types of plants out there that can be bonsai(ed)?