My Basement Greenhouse

[Clawhammer]

Two year update. My sweet little collection from a couple years ago has expanded a bit.

Should have mopped the floor but oh well...

[IMG]Untitled by Eric, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]Untitled by Eric, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]Untitled by Eric, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]Untitled by Eric, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]Untitled by Eric, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]Untitled by Eric, on Flickr[/IMG]

[piping plover]

Wow, this 2 year update is just fantastic! I never knew a basement could be so productive…and attractive. Really inspiring now. Almost purchased a house this summer without a basement, so glad I passed as this is a nice alternative to a greenhouse while I build one. Your stanhopea looks really happy. The humidity readings are off the chart, am I reading this correctly that your low temperature went down to 38 degrees f?

[skirincich]

Looks like a great setup! With regard to the 200 Watt LED over the cattleyas, are you using the full power of the light, and if so, are the plants tolerating the light? I have an 8' x 4' grow tent in my basement with two 3' x 3' trays. I use one Spider Farmer 100 Watt LED over each of the two trays. My PPFD measurements are consistent with the values recommended by High Desert Orchids.

[Clawhammer]

Originally Posted by piping plover

Wow, this 2 year update is just fantastic! I never knew a basement could be so productive…and attractive. Really inspiring now. Almost purchased a house this summer without a basement, so glad I passed as this is a nice alternative to a greenhouse while I build one. Your stanhopea looks really happy. The humidity readings are off the chart, am I reading this correctly that your low temperature went down to 38 degrees f?

Maintaining humidity is a big positive aspect of basement growing. My temps are warm to intermediate.. 85/68 in summer, 80/64 in the winter.

---------- Post added at 05:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:12 AM ----------

Originally Posted by skirincich

Looks like a great setup! With regard to the 200 Watt LED over the cattleyas, are you using the full power of the light, and if so, are the plants tolerating the light? I have an 8' x 4' grow tent in my basement with two 3' x 3' trays. I use one Spider Farmer 100 Watt LED over each of the two trays. My PPFD measurements are consistent with the values recommended by High Desert Orchids.

All of my lights are just a bit much. You can see that I actually have shade cloth stretched over the back 2/3's of the lights on a number of my racks. Cattleya could handle the light levels but most were stressed.

The lights in the middle work well for my catasetinae and are at the top end of what cattleya can handle. If I could raise them about 4-5 inches I probably would.

During the summer in order to save power, give the plants a break, and reduce heat, I rotate turning off every other light to mimic overcast days. This reduces reliance on air-conditioning and subsequently humidifiers. In the winter I leave all lights on and the plants seem to handle it better with the slightly cooler temps.

[rockyfarm]

Do you have any problems with the high (80%) humidity causing condensation on walls in the winter? That's limiting me in North Carolina. I may have to make a room within a room to avoid outside walls.

[Clawhammer]

Originally Posted by rockyfarm

Do you have any problems with the high (80%) humidity causing condensation on walls in the winter? That's limiting me in North Carolina. I may have to make a room within a room to avoid outside walls.

This does happen, though it is not a big deal from my perspective. I get some algae growth on the walls during the winter, which a spray with a bleach solution every 4-6 weeks. Having the outside walls exposed really helps control the heat.

I have had some pretty cool growth on the walls actually. Pothos, hoya, and orchid roots have spread onto the walls:

[IMG]Untitled by Eric, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]Untitled by Eric, on Flickr[/IMG]

[rockyfarm]

Pretty neat!