My low budget grow tent...

[Tetra73]

Thanks....

[thebuddingbotanist]

I really like this set up! I've been looking to do something like this, but I wasn't really sure what to use for the build. I might be able to fit something like this into my budget...

[Tetra73]

Originally Posted by thebuddingbotanist

I really like this set up! I've been looking to do something like this, but I wasn't really sure what to use for the build. I might be able to fit something like this into my budget...

Just beware that the PVC frame is easy to build. The clear vinyl cover isn't... I have to weld it with several pieces in order to fit into the shape of the frame. You can google "welding plastic" to find out how to do it. I got this roll of vinyl by Frost King for $10, 25ft roll at Lowes. Also, once you have moisture on the vinyl, with high humidity, you would see white molds growing on it. Like water spots and molds combined. They don't spread though. They don't affect the plants either. I clean the front part of the vinyl cover about twice in a month.

By the front, I also cut a square opening with a flap door in order to allow me to spray water inside the tent without have the entire front section being lifted up. I use a 1g water sprayer. Just to make sure you have something to catch the water at the bottom in order to prevent water getting onto your floor. I was really trying to keep it low budget and I could have used more cross sections in order to strengthen the frame more.

[Tetra73]

Is finally happening after to have gotten this Dendrobium Frosty Dawn orchid around Sept last year. Is blooming and flowering after 5 months inside my grow tent with 15 hours of artificial lighting daily. The light setup consists of 6 T8 bulbs and 4 100w equivalent LED bulbs. Yes, a lot of lights here. Surprisingly, the electric bill is only couple of dollars more each month.

Most of the flower spikes are at the top, of a 2ft tall cane. There are currently about 5 flower spikes at the top with 3 flower bulbs each. Hoping to see more spikes growing. Some of the older canes, from 1 to 2 years old, are also flowering. However, totaling about 3 flower spikes. These older canes look small and may not be able to support more blooms.



frostydawnbloom1 by vracing, on Flickr


D_frostydawn_bloom_0028_1 by vracing, on Flickr


BTW, my dormant sphagnum moss in a bag is alive!! LOL... Not allege. Baby looking sphagnum moss are growing on them. Is green. Looks like little stars. That's interesting...

[Tetra73]

It has been almost a year I have this grow tent. So far so good and my orchid collection survived this year hot Summer in NYC too. Few things have changed of course. I removed the large storage container because my ferns aren't doing that well. I think I have too much soil in it and water can't dry out quickly. I managed to pot them in pots now with more space for more airflow and light to get through. My Gold Club moss didn't make it after having them for about year. They are too picky with moisture. They never really thrive unfortunately. So, I just planted a big size peace lily in the space instead. I have added 2 more orchids...one more cattleya and one turtle shell oncidium....

My den frosty dawn is just awesome. It began to bloom on Feb and it went on with a second bloom around may by the other nodes. Now, there are two new canes growing.

Two of my oncidiums are flowering at the moment. One is a sherry baby and the other is called dragon wing, the one with all the roots.....

sigma1835cpl_0477 by vracing, on Flickr


sigma1835cpl_0483 by vracing, on Flickr

sigma1835cpl_0479 by vracing, on Flickr

sigma1835cpl_0484 by vracing, on Flickr

[Leafmite]

Your grow space looks great!

[Tetra73]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

Your grow space looks great!

Thanks...I am very tempted to put a little table at the bottom section and to put couple of potted orchids there. If only I have another place to grow these ferns.