Vivarium plants are an essential part of the rainforest vivarium. Poison frogs like bromelias as their resting place, and some species require bromelia pits to deposit eggs. Orchids have no specific function in the vivarium other than being one of the most interesting plant species in the world, which provide the most beautifull flowers too.
Mosses will grow almost automatically if the conditions are right, mosses provide a good "soil" for the poison frogs, although mosses prefer a wetter surrounding than most poison frogs.
The plants in the vivarium provide a major role in maintaining the biological balance in this micro-world. The plants ( together with the bacteria, funguses etc etc ) will transform the amounts of frog droppings into live material again. Cleaning the vivarium and maintaining the balance in the vivarium therefore consists out of weeding the plants every now and then. This is the most effective way of taking organic material out of the micro-world, since you put in a lot of organic materials via the fruit flies and other food in the vivarium.
The ventilation system is the most vital part for the plants, together with an adequate light strength for the fotosynthesis. Without ventilation all plants will rot away at the high humidity level. Without enough light, plants will show fast growth ( too fast ) and white spiny leaves. Of course each plant prefers its specific amount of light, temperature and - range and ventilation level. The climate in the vivarium is such that a right spot can be found for most tropical plants.
The mapped vivarium picture
The mapped picture below shows my large vivarium just after the initial planting phase, when you put your mouse on a plant the name will appear as well as the generic family of the plant ( orchid, bromelaid, fern, etc ) In the pages regarding the family you will see more pictures and descriptions. Most plants can be clicked upon to receive a close up picture and a small description.
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