DIY mini indoor greenhouse

[Yéri]

Hey everyone!

So I got a new project for my 50ish seedlings I have currently sitting in my greenhouse...

At the moment, I don't have optimal conditions for these little fellahs (lighting, temperature, etc.) and I'd hate to see them suffer for it.
In fact, they've been courageous and hanging on until now; but I'd hate so see them die off slowly.

So I was thinking, why not give them a separate little greenhouse?! And with the approval of the misses, I get this small space to accomodate them:


It's roughly 150x35cm (lxw).

I've seen several designs and plans, but none that would allow me to build a simple and cheap little greenhouse adapted to my own measurements.

I'd love to build myself a Victorian style little greenhouse or a lean-to design, but I'm not confident enough to start from scratch!

I know there are many simpler ways to make this sort of indoor greenhouse, but the idea is to have a lovely little greenhouse rather than a plastic box

Would anyone have step-by-step plans or blueprints they know of to make this kind of mini indoor greenhouses?

I'm eager to see what you guys have to say!

Yéri

[AnonYMouse]

I don't have plans nor the DIY site I saw this idea on. Basically, go to 2nd hand stores/jumble sales/etc., buy inexpensive picture frames and assemble the wardian case with hinges, brackets and such hardware.

If you want to go bigger, go get windows at a salvage place.

[JimmyTheCack]

I built an orchidarium out of an old 55 gal. fish tank recently, and it cost me maybe round $150. You get cheap lights at the hardware store, and as far as heat, I run my house about 75 degrees "F".

[AnonYMouse]

I forgot to mention: Remove the backing and use silicone sealant/adhesive (epoxy should work as well) to secure the glass to the frame.

[Yéri]

Hmm I was actually going to use see-through plastic/polycarbonate (whadyacallit) plates as this would be cheaper, less likely to break and lighter.

Any reason I should go for glass?

And I don't think I would need any light (I think), as you can see it would be located right underneat the sunporch plates.

[emosupremo]

Doesn't plastic scratch easier than glass? Also, if you were going to attach a humidifier through a porthole then drilling a hole in the one is simple compared to the other.
Talking out loud here but going along with that pic frame comment: Screen doors can take the weather so why not screen frames.
One fellow at the monthly meeting came up with an idea: cut two hole on either side, connect with large diam tube and put a fan in line...now you have two points of air movement instead of one.
Not to be silly but another fellow told of an old timey cabinet tv he gutted and used as a vivarium. Delightful.

[Yéri]

Hmm you're right about the scratching of course, but I don't think I'm going to move it around too much so I'm not worrying too much.

I'm not really following you with the two wholes and the tube setup :P At least not with the 'put the fan in line' part. Sketch it?
I was going to buy two of those miniature terrarium fans and indeed put them on either side along with exhaust wholes or something...still figuring it out.

I think I'm going to build my case out of plastic (basically a plastic aquarium) and finish and decorate the corners etc. with some wood.

Now that I think of it, I have an interior design architect amongst my friends...she might be able to draw up a plan for me

Thanks for the comments!

[rvalkenburg]

I have had this simple mini greenhouse setup for a while now. Granted it is only for sick plants or plants I am trying to get a keiki or new shoot out of but.... My temperature is 65*-72* (night & day temps) and my humidity is 85%+. I have 4 small electric fans running on each level and each shelf has a humidity tray for all the plants. No need for a mister or fogger, they just add to much ambient moisture. The blue LEDs are for root growth and they do really work well.

[citywildcat]

I have the exact same greenhouse/discovered that with some minor modifications, you can expand it/customize it. I have a big oscillating fan on the bottom shelf. Directly above it (2nd shelf), I have two (what started out as) handmade placemats, 100% cotton (holds LOTS of water)/1 on top of the other ("evaporation pad" humidifier of sorts). I take great pains to keep them very clean, free of debris, mold, or anything but water. That satisfies the humidity requirement and the air movement. Mine is backed by an east window and faces a southwest exposure. That more than satisfies the light requirement (and then some/recently added SHADE FILM to the southwest window. TOO MUCH SUN, now okay. I have a space heater to elevate temps, when necessary, to the 75+ degree range (much easier for the area to naturally cool at night either by A/C or increasing fan speed). I'd be lying if I said I didn't lose a single plant but have had much success this way (bloomed Cadetia taylori, Wilmottearra Hamlyn's Glory, Sobralia callosa, Sarcochilus Melba X Kirra Lea #2, Koellensteinia ionoptera, blah, blah). Top shelf is reserved for the thick-leafed heat-loving orchids (heat rises/closer to light source), while the middle shelf is reserved for intermediate types, & 3rd shelf has hanging/low-light orchids (RESTREPIOPSIS inaequalis, Kefersteinia sanguinolenta & those that fluctuate between C-I, depending on time of year/light intensity. I also have 2 supplemental spots for those long, gray winter days from November through February:-((. I'M SO GLAD TO HEAR OTHER PEOPLE ARE UTILIZING THIS METHOD, HOPEFULLY WITH SUCCESS. I improvised quite a bit since I got this and have been able to overcome most issues. If you're a true do-it-yourselfer, one can easily be made with PVC, clear plastic tarp, and other easy to find items. I could even make one. This is in the event you need something larger and more customized.

[rvalkenburg]

I have had incredible success with this greenhouse. I put this together mostly as a hospital for dying and recovery Phals, all I grow is Phals. I have 24 phals of different variety in the greenhouse now with 19 growing new roots, 12 with new leaf growth, 3 minis in bloom and 2 with new spikes. There are a 2 I have on the bottom with no roots at all, leaves are healthy and I continue to watch them hoping for a new root soon.