Winter is coming and I need some advice!

[stylingpat]

All my orchids are out on my patio now and the weather is dropping. I want to start getting my winter operation underway so when the time comes, its a smooth transition.

I'm thinking about getting a grow tent:
Your Indoor Gardening Destination. Darkstreet II DS60, 24" x 24" x 56"

Supposed to be pretty high quality from the reviews I've read.

Now for lighting, I think a small 100w MH will be too bright and hot.

So I'm thinking maybe a 125w Daylight CFL:
Your Indoor Gardening Destination. Sunleaves VitaLUME CFL, Daylight 125W



Here's a list of what I got.

Zygopetelum Macakyi
Beallera
Paph
5 Phals all with different light needs
Sederea Japonica
3 Dendrobiums
Onc. Sherry Baby
Brassavola Nodosa
BLC. Windward Flare

I'm going to put some type of hanging/shelving system in the tent.

What do you guys think? 2ft x 2ft x 5ft should be a nice amount of a space. Or for some extra room for all my babys I can get a little bigger one.

Easy to put together and take apart, waterproof flooring. Once the weather warms up, take it apart and put it into storage for next year.

[Leafmite]

I think it is a great idea! I have far too many (large) plants so I use plastic dropcloths to protect floors or any furniture. Looks like a great way to keep the plants and the house happy over the winter!

[Polarizeme]

2x2x5 might be a bit tight for your large plants. You'll only be able to have a couple of shelves due to the height of the plants. This would be a great place for your plants.

[Leafmite]

Do you have windows? It is surprising how simple how tolerant most orchids are of lower humidity. This is how I winter my orchids and plants...just added new pictures of this year's set up. I don't worry too much about temperature or humidity.
How I filled my windows - Orchid Board - Most Complete Orchid Forum on the web !

[naoki]

If you have space, 4'Wx2'Dx5'H is a pretty convenient size. You can use 4' linear fluorescent lights. Also, it seems to be easier to control the temp with a larger tent. If you check Amazon, the price of this larger tent is cheaper than the one you linked. The quality seems to be decent (mine is LEDWholesale, but a lot of them are similar).

If you are going with 2x2', then 4 bulb 2ft T5HO could be an option. e.g. Amazon.com: Hydrofarm FLT24 2-Feet/4-Tube T5 Commercial System with Bulbs: Patio, Lawn & Garden It's 96W, but actual consumption is slightly less (mine is consuming 74W). 125W CFL outputs about 7000lm, 96W T5HO outputs about 8000lm. Also the reflector of T5 would be more efficient than CFL.

Initially a bit more expensive than CFL + reflector, but you'll save money in a couple years.

With a grow tent, you can keep the humidity high, so growing orchids become much easier.

[stylingpat]

Originally Posted by naoki

If you are going with 2x2', then 4 bulb 2ft T5HO could be an option.

With a grow tent, you can keep the humidity high, so growing orchids become much easier.

Ya that was another option. Sunleaves makes some nice 4bulb 2ft T5HO set-ups. It would give me a little more room in the tent too! Being that its a little more streamlined then a bulkly reflector and cfl.