Hot + humid orchids

[MateoinLosAngeles]

Hey all,

I'm feeling crafty and I'm considering building my own "Ikea Greenhouse Cabinet" similar to this one https://youtu.be/8HJlzDgHPco

My idea is to keep my Phal bellina and recently acquired Phal violacea in here. I've kept my bellina in S/H for almost a year, with a little dome in the winter, and on a heat mat keeping the pot between 75ºF and 85ºF aaaand it's thriving...

I think I can keep some plants mounted inside this cabinet using a peg wall but I would like to keep the bellina and violacea in here, so the goal is to keep it really hot... over 75ºF at all times, and with a RH of about 70-80%

Do you have any suggestions of plants that would LOVE these conditions? I particularly like the leaves of these two Phalaenopsis as they droop and will be convenient in the vertical space of a cabinet.

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[Leafmite]

I just got Phal Samera (the cross between bellina and violacea) from Hausermann's. That one would work. Cattleya aclandiae would probably be happy, too.

Most of what I grow needs to survive the cooler winter temperatures so hopefully others will have some great suggestions.

[MateoinLosAngeles]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

I just got Phal Samera (the cross between bellina and violacea) from Hausermann's. That one would work. Cattleya aclandiae would probably be happy, too.

Most of what I grow needs to survive the cooler winter temperatures so hopefully others will have some great suggestions.

How do you keep your Samera warm? I don't have issues in the summer but I've had 44ºF nights this winter, growing in S/H with the evaporative cooling I thought I was going to lose the bellina and I considered putting it in bark but the dome worked.

[Leafmite]

I just received the Samera, violacea and new bellina (all very young plants) this past week and they went under lights in the only warm room of the house...the bathroom right over the furnace.

I also have a Phal bellina 'Star' that is more tolerant of cooler temperatures (mid to high 60's, definitely not 40's). I will probably fix something for next winter so I can grow all four in the bathroom under lights. The bellina 'Star' spikes always die when the house is cooler.

[Ray]

Phals tetrapsis and venosa are also heat lovers

[Lil Duck]

The ones that come to my mind first are Cattleya violacea, luddemanniana, and dowiana althought they may appreciate slightly cooler nights at around 70 f, then there's Phalaenposis luddemanniana, tetraspis/speciosa, amboinensis, gigantea, doweryensis, modesta, bastianii/mariae, and pulchra. Please note that the species from the Philippines will need some seasonal variation in temperatures to bloom and as such may not be the best choice. Aerangis modesta.

Edit : Not an orchid but Nepenthes ampullaria will also do great in those temperatures.

[estación seca]

Vanda, small Oeceoclades, many Encyclia/Anacheilum, many Latouria section Dendrobiums... for now.

[MateoinLosAngeles]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Vanda, small Oeceoclades, many Encyclia/Anacheilum, many Latouria section Dendrobiums... for now.

Having the greenhouse cabinet could be a good opportunity to finally grow a Vanda or Holcoglossum indoors provided I can get a strong enough light.

[PuiPuiMolcar]

Ah I recognize a Benji plant video when I see one. I have something similar to his ikea green house where I keep plants for my aquarium but more frugal.
The only type of vanda I keep in the mini greenhouse is the Bangkoksunset (a Rhynchostylis genus) where it is smaller and grow slower than vandas.