My Desk Location: will or will not work? - Orchid Board

REEFSTOCK · #1 04-27-2009, 10:17 AM

First post here.

I am no stranger to addictive hobbies, infact I turned one into my life's carrier. So, taking things slow, researching, doing things right the first time are all in my blood.

I'm interested in orchids and am excited to go find them out in my limited spare time. Time... ah the thing we can't buy more of

I know orchids need some special attention. At this point in my life the only place I could reliably give it is at my work desk. Here is the issue:

Humidity ~ 30-40 (guessing, haven't checked in a while)
9am-10PM 74-78F
10PM - 8 AM 78-84F

I've got every kind of light available to me (well perhaps not natural sun), and I run many things on a reverse daylight cycle. Still...
Should I put growing orchids on hold till I can find another environment?
I'm not interested in killing something just to see if it works, if anyone has any info or experience with such temperatures I would appreciate a post.

Thanks,
Fritz

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #2 04-27-2009, 10:27 AM

If you're able to pull off the backwards cycle thingy then I don't see why you can't grow intermediate growing orchids. Intermediate growers like the environment a bit more constant. The humidity shouldn't be too big of an issue (unless you grow certan cloud forest type plants). Just add a small humidifier or humidity tray if it gets below 40.

REEFSTOCK · #3 04-27-2009, 10:34 AM

I see sub-forums based on taxonomy, are there any zone lists available?

Thanks!

learning2letgo · #4 04-28-2009, 09:45 AM

I wish I could provide you some great feedback for this one, but you've got me here. I'm going to watch this thread though, because I'd like to learn more about what you're doing

REEFSTOCK · #5 04-28-2009, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by learning2letgo

I wish I could provide you some great feedback for this one, but you've got me here. I'm going to watch this thread though, because I'd like to learn more about what you're doing

I probably won't pull the trigger till Fall. I still have some planning o do and not sure which space I want to transform for the flower.

LinhT · #6 04-28-2009, 07:40 PM

I had no idea you already posted here!

to OB and

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #7 04-28-2009, 10:54 PM

The only zone lists available for orchids are for terrestrial orchids such as Cypripedium, certain Disas, Bletillas, Pleiones, Platanthera, Galeandra, Aplectrum, Tipularia, Calanthes, and probably a few others I can't think of at the moment. Even then, there aren't many references to them. I don't even know how accurate or precise some these are, as most of the info comes from the net. However, for Cypripediums, there is a book dedicated largely to their culture and a few other hardy orchids, so finding info on them won't be too difficult. The author to the book about growing hardy terrestrial orchids is John Tullock.

Epiphytes on the otherhand are a whole different thing. To my knowledge, there isn't any reliable information about zoning with them. But epiphytes are so commonly cultivated by comparison to terrestrial orchids, that finding culture information on most species will not be terribly difficult. Unless...you decide to go nuts and buy some ultra rare orchid that few people grow. Then you're pretty much on your own.

If you happen to get in a situation where you plan on getting or are getting a very rare orchid in cultivation, then I can give you a few hints to start off with...:

1. Check Jay's Internet Encyclopedia whatever tiny bit of info you can glean off it.

2. If you know the country of origin from where the plant comes from - or even better, if you know the exact region or range of habitat the plants grow in nature, research the area.

3. Take into account any kind of climactic norms and variations in the area in question.

4. Ask yourself why the plant is rare in cultivation. It could be because they're endemic to a certain micro-environment and micro-climate.

These are just a few things to take into consideration if you hit a roadblock. Basically gather up every resource you can, cause if it's ultra rare and you wanna grow it and keep it alive, you better put in the time and effort.

Otherwise, if they're commonly grown resources are limitless.

Becca · #8 04-28-2009, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REEFSTOCK

First post here.

I am no stranger to addictive hobbies, infact I turned one into my life's carrier. So, taking things slow, researching, doing things right the first time are all in my blood.

I'm interested in orchids and am excited to go find them out in my limited spare time. Time... ah the thing we can't buy more of

I know orchids need some special attention. At this point in my life the only place I could reliably give it is at my work desk. Here is the issue:

Humidity ~ 30-40 (guessing, haven't checked in a while)
9am-10PM 74-78F
10PM - 8 AM 78-84F

I've got every kind of light available to me (well perhaps not natural sun), and I run many things on a reverse daylight cycle. Still...
Should I put growing orchids on hold till I can find another environment?
I'm not interested in killing something just to see if it works, if anyone has any info or experience with such temperatures I would appreciate a post.

Thanks,
Fritz

Mind if I ask why your daytime temps are lower then your night time temps?

REEFSTOCK · #9 04-29-2009, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Becca

Mind if I ask why your daytime temps are lower then your night time temps?

Not at all.

This is my office: Saltwater Empire

These tanks need to be kept above 74F... Water tends to be 4-6F less than the air. In Frigid MN it would cost us a ton to keep the water at a constant temp with electric heat. Cooling would be nuts as well. So I run the day temp 74-78F for customer's comfort. at night I run 78-84F to keep the system's stable around 76F. (the systems are all huge and in acrylic or plastic, so they are slow to cool and heat... I think they took a week or so to get up to temp. With 40grand you would be amazed how well temp and humidity can be controlled

My house would be perfect for growing orchids, unused sunroom, big windows on all but North sides of the house... lots of RO water

But, for all intents-and purposes I live at work (and happy about it).

I've always been interested in orchids... but I have a good buddy who's cousin comes to purchase cross-over items (t-5 bulbs)... And now I have been infected with the desire to find out more about orchids... and perhaps g.. g... grow some

Becca · #10 04-29-2009, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REEFSTOCK

Not at all.

This is my office: Saltwater Empire

These tanks need to be kept above 74F... Water tends to be 4-6F less than the air. In Frigid MN it would cost us a ton to keep the water at a constant temp with electric heat. Cooling would be nuts as well. So I run the day temp 74-78F for customer's comfort. at night I run 78-84F to keep the system's stable around 76F. (the systems are all huge and in acrylic or plastic, so they are slow to cool and heat... I think they took a week or so to get up to temp. With 40grand you would be amazed how well temp and humidity can be controlled

My house would be perfect for growing orchids, unused sunroom, big windows on all but North sides of the house... lots of RO water

But, for all intents-and purposes I live at work (and happy about it).

I've always been interested in orchids... but I have a good buddy who's cousin comes to purchase cross-over items (t-5 bulbs)... And now I have been infected with the desire to find out more about orchids... and perhaps g.. g... grow some

Wow your office is too awsome! Now I understand your day and night temps! One of these days I would like to get into salt water aquariums, but I have been told they are a lot of up keep, and with orchids, I don't think I have enought time for another labor or love hobby! Glad to have you hear on the OB with us!