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orchids
Orchids are plants that are typically epiphytic (this means that they like
to grow on other plants (like trees) or on rock). There are a few
terrestrial orchids but most of these have either miniscule flowers or ar
really big plants. Orchids do like relatively high humidity, but they also
love high light, low fertilizer, cool temperatures, and they also ABSOLUTLEY
have to have perfect drainage. So i would think that if you were looking
for something to plant in the "swamp tank" this would not be it!!! One thing
that would be interesting might be some of the very interesting bog plants
like the carnivorous plants (like pitcher plants, sundews, venus flytraps)
or lobelias. Another interesting idea would be to grow a bonsai of a river
bottom tree (like a willow or birch (or a group of these trees). They would
only get as larger as you wanted them too...but maybe i am getting a little
crazed in my ambitions :)
Of course if you are set to do orchids you would probaly want to try the
epiphytic types (ask at a orchid nursery) and attach them to rock or a piece
of wood in the tank. This would probably work...but don't expect flowers all
of the time...even under the best of conditions some orchids flower once a
year or every two years. Patience is the key here :) Of course...may
adding a little extra CO2 to the orchids...........hehehehe
John
John Davis (marooned in aggieland)
Department of Biology
http://http.tamu.edu:8000/~jmd9261
jdavis at bio_tamu.edu
jmd9261 at tam2000_tamu.edu
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