Newbie wanting to grow indoors under hps

[paz1967]

Hello everybody. Great community it seems here and happy to become part of it.

I have been growing medical cannabis indoors on a small scale with a grow tent and hps lighting. I have been looking at options that I could grow under the same conditions and the whole Orchid scene has grabbed my attention. It looks a fascinating subject and some wonderful plants. Whatever peoples thoughts on cannabis it truelly is a very interesting plant to grow.

I would like to grow some small plants preferably in pots and soil that I could distribute to small local flower shops and 'suppliment' my income.

Therefore I am looking for some advice on the types of Orchids that would be suited to the same conditions/set up that I already have (tho can happily expand in the future)

I currently grow with average temperatures around 78f and humidity between say 40-60%. Lighting during veg is possible to be either 24 hrs or 18 hrs of light. During flowering stage, usually after a month or so the lights change to 12hrs of light with Harvesting taking place approximately every 3 months. I would consider a new 'tent' to seperate the veg and flowering stages. The grow area is small, approx 1m x 1m currently.

Are there any recommendations for a total newbie of Orchids that would be suited to part of this set up?

I understand that starting from seeds is not the way to go as it takes years to come to flower, therefore I suspect that I would be starting with seedlings or young plants? Plants that flower for a suitable time to allow the selling of these plants during those stages is neccassary.

I realise I have a lot to learn but that is something I love, to learn, to experiment and believe I have come to the right place to begin this journey.

All advice appreciated and questions welcomed.

Regards to all

[Orchidflowerchild]

hey, some of us have very positive feelings about canabis. LOL As for growing under HPS, it is more than just possible. What kind of space are you dealing with? Average temps?

-Cj

[paz1967]

Hi Orchidflowerchild

As mentioned above :-)

" currently grow with average temperatures around 78f and humidity between say 40-60%.

I would consider a new 'tent' to seperate the veg and flowering stages. The grow area is currentlysmall, approx 1m x 1m."

Space can be expanded, I have a large garage area but indoors suits me as Im happy to be on top of thinsg as I work mainly from home anyway. Im looking for recommended plants for this set up that are saleable :-)

[paz1967]

knock knock. nobody?

[Claire25]

Am I correct in reading that your current space for growing orchids is only 9 square feet? That seems a little tight for a commercial venture, even for baby orchids.

That being said, you could still give it a shot. Many mail-order orchid companies sell flats of "dug-up" orchid seedlings in quantity at a reduced price...Carter & Holmes, for instance, sells these...go to their website to see what I'm talking about. Bear in mind that orchids are waay slower growing than your Cannabis plants. Consider that most customers in the "small local flower shops" that you mention are interested in mature, blooming plants, and growing an orchid from seedling to mature size takes at least a few years under optimal conditions...even if you are able to bring your seedlings to the mature, saleable size that most people want in the fastest time possible (probably 3-4 years), you will have expended a great deal of energy (in terms of your time, orchid supply costs, and probable expenses for replacement orchids until you "get the hang" of orchid growing) to do so.

I'm afraid to say that it will become a case of you relying on your Cannabis business to support your orchid enterprise rather than the other way around.

Just my two cents,
Claire

[paz1967]

Thank you Claire, your comments are appreciated.

We won't sell the cannabis, it literally is just two or three plants we have for personal pleasure really, altho my partner suffers from MS so it is very helpful sometimes in that sense too. In fact that is why we first tried it.

It seems that maybe it just isnt viable as you say, particularly regards to the time element. I was hoping that perhaps I could buy young plants perhaps and grow them for a year under good coditions and improve their size etc before selling them on; whilst enjoying thier grow at the same time.

I also saw various people grows on here and they seem to grow in stacks/layers on trolley like things and these looked great to maximise space. something we could have improved easily anyway.

However, no matter what the layout, 3 or 4 years is just a big blow and kinda kills the idea I suppose. Sighhhh.

[Claire25]

Well, I do think you should try growing a few orchids just for your own personal enjoyment. Sounds like you have an ideal environment in which to do so...lots of light-loving orchids, such as Cattleyas and Dendrobiums, would do well under your grow lights. Sorry to burst your bubble on the commercial front, though--I think that all of us in the hobby have, at some point, contemplated selling a few plants as our collection grows...but for small scale growers (most of us), orchid-growing is a money pit. As hobbies in general tend to be.

[paz1967]

lol yes that is very true!

Okay I do take what sounds sensible advice onboard totally and thank you again.

I think we will be trying some Orchids for ourselves certainly and thank you again for the hints at which varieties to start researching : Cattleyas and Dendrobiums it may just be then

[dounoharm]

of course you must have a couple phalaenopsis too..., but ditto on the above....welcome to the board, read around and get some orchids to practise on!

[paz1967]

I will do! These presumably Latin names will take som getting used to! Thanks Dounoharm