I’ve been growing orchids for about 12 years now. I always wanted to try out some of the miniature intermediate growing plants but never wanted to build a terrarium just for them. When I started looking into keeping darts, it came to me. High humidity, temps in the middle to upper 70’s, and regular misting would be great conditions for many species growing mounted and some of the terrestrials as well. I will try to give an overview of some of the species, both terrestrial and epiphytic, that should do well in viv conditions and a few sources where these plants can be bought.

The first family that comes to mind when I think of suitable orchids is the Pleurothallid Alliance. Members of this group are native to the new world tropics, so many are found in the same areas that our darts are found. The most commonly available genera are Masdevallia, Dracula, Lepanthes, Pleurothallis, Scaphosepalum, Restrepia and Dryadella. With the exception of some Pleurothallis and Draculas, most species in these genera are small growing, low light plants.

Most Masdevallias and Draculas require temperatures that are too cool and don’t like the stagnant air in dart frog enclosures. If there is an area in the viv that gets some air circulation such as near the screen in a vertical viv, there are a few warmth tolerant Masdies and Dracs that may be suitable. The following list of plants are suitable:

• Masdevallia
discoidea
floribunda
herradurae
angulata
infracta
nicaraguae
wendlandiana
• Dracula
lotax
mopsus

Many Lepanthes, Restrepia, Dryadella and some Pleurothallis species are suitable for areas in the viv that have little to virtually no air circulation. Plants in these genera also are usually more warmth tolerant as well. Some of the best-grown Lepanthes I’ve seen are kept in tiny glass “ornaments” growing in sphagnum with no drainage. Without drainage, the humidity remains high, so watering is minimal.

Two of the most interesting and showy species are Lepanthes telipogoniflora and Lepanthes calodictyon. Lepanthes telipogoniflora is a small plant that produces red-orange flowers that are as large or larger than the plant size. The flowers of this species resemble the genus Telipogon, hence the specific epithet. Lepanthes calodictyon isn’t nearly as showy as telipogoniflora, and it is mostly grown for its leaves. The leaves are light green with a dark green-netted pattern over the top. It also flowers, but they are not as conspicuous as telipogoniflora. These plants are difficult to find, but, once established in a viv, they will thrive. Most other Lepanthes species will do just as well under viv conditions, but most are small and produce fairly inconspicuous flowers.

Most warm growing species from the other genera listed will do well in viv conditions. Some easily found species include:

• Restrepia
guttulata
trichoglossa
citrina
cuprea
cymbula
dodsonia
muscifera
sanguinea
• Dryadella
simula
edwallii
elata
lilliputiana
pusiola
zebrina
• Pleurothallis
microphylla
palliolata
wagneri
rodrigoi
endothrachys
grobyi
mathildae

Basic Culture Summary

• These plants are best grown mounted when in vivs due to high humidity, but they need to be watered regularly as well.
• Most need relatively low light and can be placed anywhere in the viv as long as their air movement needs are met.
• Also, most of these can be found easily. I found the species above at either Andy’s Orchids or J&L Orchids.

References:

Andy’s Orchids
J&L Orchids
Pleurothallid Alliance Website