Post by orchidguy on Dec 2, 2011 13:32:40 GMT -8
Hello,
I hope some of you can help me find some good species to rear and fly in my small orchid jungle.
Last year I opened an orchid shop in Copenhagen, Denmark which I have made to resemble a small jungle with large tree trunks coming up from the floor on which I have a lot of orchids growing. Below are many other plants and I spray it all down every day to water the plants and keep humidity up. I also have CFL grow lights in the entire shop so there is a lot of light.
As a teenager I was very interested in butterflies and collected and reared our local Danish species, so now I got the idea to add a new layer to the experience in my shop by having tropical butterflies floating around. I have set up sponge feeders under halogen basking spots and bought a small quantity of pupae from London Pupae Supply to try it out (mainly Papilio, Idea leuconoe and Hebomia glaucippe). However they do not fly, and are not to keen on visiting the nectar sponge feeders nor the nectar producing plants I have set up for them.
The general air temperature here in winter is around 70 degrees fahrenheit (or 21 celcius) and humidity from 70-80%. I had hoped that the basking spots would be enough for them to heat up for flight, but I guess it is the general ambient temperature that inhibits them flying.
In the summer I hope there will be no problems as temperatures and light will be plentiful.
So now my question is, whether any of you have suggestions for commercially availible species that might fly well in my shop during the winter? Besides London pupae supply I have been looking at Stratfort-upon-Avon butterfly farm and their selection as a source for pupae.
I would very much like to have species that are not common in Denmark since I would like to show people something they cant find in their backyard
I read about Danaus plexippus flying in overcast wheather down to 60 degrees fahrenheit, so perhaps they would be good?
Also I read that Heliconius species live long if they can feed on pollen, but will they be inactive at these temperatures as well?
I hope You can help me.
Thank you,
Christian
p.s. I attached a picture from the front room in the shop so you can see the surroundings
I hope some of you can help me find some good species to rear and fly in my small orchid jungle.
Last year I opened an orchid shop in Copenhagen, Denmark which I have made to resemble a small jungle with large tree trunks coming up from the floor on which I have a lot of orchids growing. Below are many other plants and I spray it all down every day to water the plants and keep humidity up. I also have CFL grow lights in the entire shop so there is a lot of light.
As a teenager I was very interested in butterflies and collected and reared our local Danish species, so now I got the idea to add a new layer to the experience in my shop by having tropical butterflies floating around. I have set up sponge feeders under halogen basking spots and bought a small quantity of pupae from London Pupae Supply to try it out (mainly Papilio, Idea leuconoe and Hebomia glaucippe). However they do not fly, and are not to keen on visiting the nectar sponge feeders nor the nectar producing plants I have set up for them.
The general air temperature here in winter is around 70 degrees fahrenheit (or 21 celcius) and humidity from 70-80%. I had hoped that the basking spots would be enough for them to heat up for flight, but I guess it is the general ambient temperature that inhibits them flying.
In the summer I hope there will be no problems as temperatures and light will be plentiful.
So now my question is, whether any of you have suggestions for commercially availible species that might fly well in my shop during the winter? Besides London pupae supply I have been looking at Stratfort-upon-Avon butterfly farm and their selection as a source for pupae.
I would very much like to have species that are not common in Denmark since I would like to show people something they cant find in their backyard
I read about Danaus plexippus flying in overcast wheather down to 60 degrees fahrenheit, so perhaps they would be good?Also I read that Heliconius species live long if they can feed on pollen, but will they be inactive at these temperatures as well?
I hope You can help me.
Thank you,
Christian
p.s. I attached a picture from the front room in the shop so you can see the surroundings
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