Orchidarium set up plus plant placement and potting help - Orchid Board

Mercurianmad · #1 01-27-2021, 07:04 PM

Ok guys orchidarium is almost finished being designed. Final specs are 4’ tall, 3’ deep, 8’ 7” long. Planning to mist daily with mistking system, fertilizer water 1/8 strength, followed by brisk air current to dry fully. Temp in orchidarium 65-80 vs 65-70 in house. Humidity 65-70% vs 45% in house. Radiant heat floor and led lights. Plan is to light half brightly and half intermediate (oncidium level light).

Most of my plants are potted in AAA spahgnum moss with lava rock at bottom for drainage. Can I keep this set up, given the higher temps and airflow might offset the increased humidity, or do I need to change potting media type or mount bare roots?

I have 2 vandas, 1 cattalya, 1 warm cymbidium, 1 mini masdevallia, 2 mini paphs, 1 mini Bulbophyllum ambrosia, 3 phals, 2 oncidiums. The end goal should be sprays of cattalya and cymbidium and vanda closer to the lights, with low light plants at bottom of tank. I will, of course, buy more orchids as needed.

Thoughts on layout and system ideas? And advice would be greatly appreciated. Also if I can raise the temp without damaging the mini paphs, Bulbophyllum and phals that would be great.

estación seca · #2 01-28-2021, 04:05 PM

Every setup is different, and the owner needs to stumble through learning. Your setup sounds great. Potting in sphagnum should work fine unless the misting system keeps it wet. Some of your orchids want to be wet but others don't.

Most people don't run fertilizer through the misting system because the evaporating liquid leaves behind salts that might clog the emitters.

Watch closely through the first months. Plants respond quickly to excessive or insufficient light, and most people move plants around some until they settle on a spot.

Your plants should be fine with somewhat higher daytime temperatures.