Opinions, comments, suggestions regarding my terrarium setup

[masterius]

I would very much appreciate opinions, comments, and suggestions regarding my indoor terrarium setup. To start:



Terrarium: Exo Terra Natural Terrarium Advanced Reptile Habitat, 36"W x 18"D x 18"H (terrarium).



Light: 1200W LED Grow Light, WAKYME Adjustable Full Spectrum Double Switch Plant Light (light)



Fan: AC Infinity MULTIFAN S1 (fan)



The terrarium has a base of clean beach sand in which sixteen shallow, plastic bowls are embedded. Atop that is a layer of 100% pure fir bark, and finally a top layer of dried sphagnum moss. The plants are potted in four-inch self-draining pots, with each pot in its own bowl. Distilled water is used for watering, added to the bowls rather than the top of the plant, and held at a depth of 1/2" to 1" deep. Three of the terrarium sides are covered with aluminum foil reflectors.



The light is held 12 inches above the plants and is controlled by a timer. At the moment ( 14 June, 2020) the timer is set for 14 hours on; during the summer months that will change to 16 hours. There is a small fan to the side of the terrarium, also controlled by a timer, to provide periodic ventilation so as to mitigate fungal growth, mold, or mildew.



Daytime temperatures inside the terrarium range from mid-80s to high 90s, with humidity ranging from 45% - 60%.



Maintaining the temperature and humidity has been somewhat of a problem. As soon as the light comes on the temperature begins rising and the RH% begins falling. I'd resorted to the fir bark/sphagnum moss substrate as an attempt at maintaining the RH, liberally soaking it each morning.



I'm not sure if this setup is providing sufficient light intensity. I'm also not sure about the temperature/RH ranges: I keep getting conflicting information when researching that. Currently inside are the following:



Venus Flytrap - Dentate

Venus Flytrap - Akai ryu



Pitcher Plant - Sarracenia purpurea purpurea

Pitcher Plant - Sarracenia minor

Pitcher Plant - Sarracenia purpurea venosa

Pitcher Plant - Sarracenia psittacina



Sundew - Drosera intermedia

Sundew - Drosera capensis



Butterwort - Yellow Butterwort



So far, all seem to be accommodating to being transplanted and repotted (these were purchased and sent through the mail) except for the sundews.



Here are photos of the setup:











~Al

[dvg]

Hi Masterius, in regards to your setup, other than your Cape sundew, all the rest of your listed plants are either temperate or warm temperate, as is the case with your P. lutea.

They would all do better outside in full sun, while your Cape sundew would be fine growing in a sunny south facing window.

The temperate plants will also need a chilly dormancy each winter for about 4 month's time, in order to maintain the long term health of these plants.

Your 1200 watt light is intriguing and must be incredibly bright -- have you been able to find or take any lux or lumens readings on that bad boy?

Cheers,
Doug












dvg

[masterius]

Jun 16, 2020 0:12:24 GMT dvg said:

Hi Masterius, in regards to your setup, other than your Cape sundew, all the rest of your listed plants are either temperate or warm temperate, as is the case with your P. lutea.

They would all do better outside in full sun, while your Cape sundew would be fine growing in a sunny south facing window.

The original idea behind the terrarium was to be a safe place to house them during inclement weather since I don't have a means of keeping them safe outdoors during a bad storm (sheds often blow down the alley during a bad one) or blazingly-hot days. My first attempt at raising CPs, years ago, was raising them outdoors, and I had success with that until I got very sick and they died due to dehydration...understandably so, as everyone was more concerned with my health than my plants.

The temperate plants will also need a chilly dormancy each winter for about 4 month's time, in order to maintain the long term health of these plants.

Thanks for mentioning that. I was aware of that requirement, but I appreciate your foresight and care in assuring that I knew that critical fact.

Your 1200 watt light is intriguing and must be incredibly bright -- have you been able to find or take any lux or lumens readings on that bad boy?

I have no idea. As it is an LED fixture, I can't use a standard (and reasonably affordable) light meter to measure the intensity. It requires a specialized meter, and they seem to start around the mid $200s.

Cheers,
Doug

Thank you again! It is very much appreciated!

Al

[dvg]

Hi, i appreciate what you are trying to do, and every one of us has to tailor our setups to growing our CPs to some extent.

My best advice to new CP growers is to assess the growing conditions that they can easily provide for, and then to choose CPs that can also acclimate to those conditions.

Growing temperate plants indoors is like fighting an uphill battle; one that the plants will eventually lose.

Masterius, you will probably have better success with choosing CPs more compatible with your indoor conditions, plus that proper fit will keep your CPs happier and keep you from becoming frustrated and dejected with the hobby.

Cheers,
Doug

Edit*--Please keep in mind that this is my opinion, and opinions by their very nature are limited.

So feel free to seek a second opinion, as discussion can be a very positive thing indeed.













dvg