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Orchids/tank refurbishment/Orchid light intensity vs. killie light (fwd)
[Forwarded to aquatic plants mailing list]
The following orchid information was sent on the killie list but has
great information that is of interest to aquatic plant enthusiasts.
Fortunately, a real plant enthusiast might be able to create conditions
favorable for orchids without fish. I suspect that some killies esp
those from the same locations where the orchids grow, CAN tolerate
the similar night temperatures as the orchids require. Air temperatures
do NOT need to be the same as water temperatures and in nature water
temperatures fluctuate more than in a fish room but only by a few
degrees of temperature.
Steve Pushak
=========================================================
From: Michael Wilson <mjwgh2 at msn_com>
Subject: Orchids/tank refurbishment/Orchid light intensity vs. killie light
intensity
To: killies at mejac_palo-alto.ca.us
Reply-to: killies at mejac_palo-alto.ca.us
Shane,
I wouldn't recommend orchids as a "living filter" of any consequence.
Their roots generally aren't adapted for immersion (certainly not among the
epiphytes), though I've seen some branching into water among a few genera (it
seems unlikely that the roots function as anything other than a water tap). A
fairly dry-media terrarium arrangement with air circulation could work with
some of the more forgiving genera. My suggestion for selection would include
some of the Jewel Orchids (Haemaria (Luddsia) discolor in particular) &
possibly some of the smaller Phalanopsis species (like luddenmaniana) and the
closely related Doritis; the latter is often a terrestrial species.
In closed conditions, it would probably be better to use small species of
aroids (some of which are emerse bog plants or true aquatics), gesneriads &
begonias. I'd certainly stay away from equitant Oncidiums (there are no
equitant Cymbidiums) due to their requirements for drying between waterings
and from many (but not all) Paphiopedilum & Masdevallia species, since most
prefer substantial temperature drops at night to function normally.
OK - now for killie content: Most orchids will require much more light
than most killies are willing to tolerate. Many successful indoor growers use
4 - 4' fluorescent tubes per growing area(even with relatively low-light
species/hybrids) to obtain normal growth and bloom under lights (as opposed to
infrequent and weak bloom with too little light). I can see Aplochielicthys
species, Nothos & Cyprinodon species as about the only easily obtained killies
which will be comfortable in such high light conditions. Another factor to
consider is that of night temperature. Many orchids do best with night
temperatures which are definitely chilly for killies. Yes, there are
exceptions, but generally, I don't see this arrangement working very
satisfactorily. Killies and orchids are both satisfying to propagate, they
just require somewhat different conditions which aren't very compatible.
-Mike Wilson