I am converting a 55 gallon tank into a terrarium. the medium I am using is going to be, shredded coconut husk, orchid bark, sphagnum moss, and oak leaves. I have learned how to blend moss and butter milk with water in a blender and paint my cork bark and branches for my terrarium to grow moss. the plants I have now for the tank are ferns, an African violet, a polka dot plant, a purple waffle, arrowheads, and creeping Fig. I would love advice on some flowering plants perhaps miniatures for the terrarium.I understand that miniature orchids would be nice but they may be costly. Stepacarpus would be nice if they where miniature. But miniatures are hard to find. Any suggestions on flowering plants for the terrarium?

Wowza ... sounds like a beautiful terrarium! Please post some pictures.

You might look into the miniature Sinningias.

http://www.kartuz.com/c/1GES14...

I only grow a couple of miniature orchids. My mini's are from the Barbosella genus. However, I would suggest you really read its culture first since, these ones, prefer colder temps. I can only get them to make some blooms when it is Fall here, though it is not in a terrarium, just mounted. Or you can read more about the Pleurothallid alliance orchids..there are lots of them..pretty sure there will be some that will love warm terrarium temps.

Barbosella cogniauxiana pink


Barbosella australis




Pilea involucrata 'Moon Valley' has showy leaves and nice little blooms..

Xeramtheum,
I looked into sinningias and am going to add to the tank!
Should do well being a relative to the African violet.
thanks for the tip.
Tarev,
the miniature orchids that you have mentioned yes are for cooler climates will not do too well in my tank, the photos that you posted we're quite beauties.and one of your photos you included a pilea Valley of the Moon friendship plant. it's ironic I have been looking for one in every home and garden center in town and can not find one. That and a strawberry begonia.
I am a little leary on ordering plans online not knowing what kind of condition they will arrive in, not ever having done that before. have you had any experience on online ordering of plants?

a photo of the tank with just a few potted plants inside. big ideas multi levels Moss is going to look great. just a tease!

Oh I love the terrarium! It's awesome! Keep posting photos please!

And welcome to ATP!

Awesome
Keep us all informed with your ongoing project.

shadowfax: Welcome to ATP! That's a beautiful tank you are using for a terrarium, I look forward to seeing photos when it's all complete!

Miniature Sinningia's are perfect choices for terrarium culture and another great little miniature Gesneriad to consider is Chirita (Metapetrocosmea tamiana) I grew a few of them for about ten years, some in terrariums and others in little pots. Some Chirita's get really large but the tamiana is a miniature that stays small and blooms it's little head off.


Rex Begonnia is another that I've grown in terrariums with great success:

Plantladylin,
I found a Rex begonia at all places the Walmart home and garden center. Yes I am picking it up this weekend. As for the siningia's, I may have to order online. Does anyone have any online experience and buying plants? And what kind of shape can I expect them to be in once they do arrive? Does anyone have any good distributors that I can look at online?
again I would like to thank you all for your warm welcome to the site. I am enjoying myself, and you will be seeing me more often!

shadowfax said:Xeramtheum,
I looked into sinningias and am going to add to the tank!
Should do well being a relative to the African violet.
thanks for the tip.
Tarev,
the miniature orchids that you have mentioned yes are for cooler climates will not do too well in my tank, the photos that you posted we're quite beauties.and one of your photos you included a pilea Valley of the Moon friendship plant. it's ironic I have been looking for one in every home and garden center in town and can not find one. That and a strawberry begonia.
I am a little leary on ordering plans online not knowing what kind of condition they will arrive in, not ever having done that before. have you had any experience on online ordering of plants?

I have ordered orchids online, and they arrived okay. That Pilea plant, I remember I got that around spring time, not at this time of the year.

I live in Florida with all the green houses around here, you think I can get it anything any time of year oh well.

I am trying to remember where I got mine before...I know from one of the big box stores..either Home Depot or Walmart.

I have ordered orchids from seatttleorchid.com, stonybrookorchids.com..or even to some of ATP members here who sells tropical plants like @drdawg. I like browsing around ebay..so many sellers there too..but I choose those who are within the US, so shipping will not be too long and costly.

But those barbosellas, they were just from another forum someone downsizing, so I just paid postage. I love adopting new plants..teaches me a lot.

miniature orchid lady of the night. loves temperatures that range in the 70 s to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and high humidity. All fit my bill for the terrarium.

Wow ! look what I just found from blackjungleterrariumsupply.com
and they only 8 dollars for it I think that's great.

Lovely Brassavola nodosa!

Several sub-compact/miniature orchid plants might work and they seem to grow best mounted on cork. Cork mounts are interesting all by themselves. Four orchids that come to mind are : Oerstedella centradenia, Bulbophyllum rothschildianum, Eurychone rothschildiana, and Gramm. scriptum var. 'Kiilani'. One plant that can bloom for six consecutive months, is a sub-compact, and grows best in a tiny, 2" basket is the Phal. equestris. You could hang the basket near the top of the terrarium, allow its roots to dangle.

Nice, Dr.Dawg!
Thanks for the tips!
I added the substraight and a few plants to the tank today.
It looks OK, not to really happy with it. needs to be reworked. Ground cover, Moss and move plants around a bit.
I will be adding more desirable plants such as orchids and sininigas that is down the road a bit. Got to blend up Moss and get that established.

Shaping up nicely, Shadow.