Good Orchid or plant species for a ghost mantis vivarium?

[Deathlok]

I want to build an 8x8x8 or 8x8x12 exoterra nano vivarium to put a ghost mantis (maybe pair) inside of. What species of plants or orchids would be suitable for that kind of vivarium? I need it to still be suitable for ghost mantids. And how would I plant and care for these plants? All help is appreciated.

 

[PrayingMantisPets]

What colors are your ghosts? Can you post pics?

 

[Salmonsaladsandwich]

You said in the other thread that you want to incorporate ferns. Ebony Spleenwort is a good choice. It's small and it doesn't need as much moisture as other ferns.

 

[Deathlok]

What colors are your ghosts? Can you post pics?

Don't have them yet, will soon. I want to have the vivarium ready for when they reach L5 or L6

 

[Deathlok]

You said in the other thread that you want to incorporate ferns. Ebony Spleenwort is a good choice. It's small and it doesn't need as much moisture as other ferns.

Thanks for the tip. I'll go look that up right now.

 

[Deathlok]

You said in the other thread that you want to incorporate ferns. Ebony Spleenwort is a good choice. It's small and it doesn't need as much moisture as other ferns.

Those are absolutely beautiful and perfect! And inexpensive. Do you think I can plant them on a modular cork planter attached to a backdrop? They are on this link http://www.neherpetoculture.com/wood And what do you think of the zoo med cork branches and manzanita branches as a high perch and molting spot?

 

[Deathlok]

Or could I plant the ferns at the bottom? They claim to like little nooks and crannies

 

[Deathlok]

http://www.neherpetoculture.com/vivariumkits How does this look? Would a CFL be okay for a paradoxa? http://www.neherpetoculture.com/plantpacks I also really like what this 10 gallon vertical plant pack comes with. It has a great variety and includes live moss.

 

[Deathlok]

And if I had a pair of the same instar that remained well fed, would I need to worry about cannibalism?

 

[Bloodtkr]

Always !

 

[Salmonsaladsandwich]

Those are absolutely beautiful and perfect! And inexpensive. Do you think I can plant them on a modular cork planter attached to a backdrop? They are on this link http://www.neherpetoculture.com/wood And what do you think of the zoo med cork branches and manzanita branches as a high perch and molting spot?

Or could I plant the ferns at the bottom? They claim to like little nooks and crannies

They need good drainage so putting the spleenwort in a planter on the backdrop would probably be better.

 

[Deathlok]

Okay, thanks! I'll look into getting one or two of them

 

[Ranitomeya]

Jewel orchids are an easy orchid to keep in vivariums and terrariums. Most species stay a fairly small size.

 

[Deathlok]

Jewel orchids are an easy orchid to keep in vivariums and terrariums. Most species stay a fairly small size.

I saw some of those and liked them quite a bit, but how would I plant those? Directly in the bottom? Onto cork?

 

[Alikaren]

Jewel orchids are terrestrial, so put them on directly on the substrate. Also, you should consider a nice vining to tie everything together.

 

[Deathlok]

Jewel orchids are terrestrial, so put them on directly on the substrate. Also, you should consider a nice vining to tie everything together.

What do you mean by vining? Like a vine plant?

 

[Alikaren]

Yeah. There are lots of them but my favorite vine is Marcgravia species. They grow somewhat slowly, which is a beneficial trait for your small vivarium, and their looks blow everything else out of the water. I think I have 5 species of it, but sorry, I can't give any of it away because currently they're just cuttings that are establishing right now.