Happy Orchid Grower from NC

[lallgood851]

Hi! I am a new member. I have about 330 orchids in a 14 X 18 greenhouse. I also grow in Masdevallias and cool lovers in my basement under lights. I am trying to learn more about masdevallias as I have some that are happy and some that are not. I have paphiopedilums, cattleyas, bulbophyllums, phrags, dendrobiums. miltonias, etc. I buy what I get fascinated with and I am always on the web looking for others that fit in my habitat. I have visited the
OrchidBoard and read comments so I thought I would join in.

[cb977]

Hi and welcome to Orchidboard

Sounds like you've got a great collection!
We'd love to hear more from you and always make us happy

Many of us are really into Masdies...you're gonna love it here

If you need help with anything, let us know

[Bill_NeOh]

Welcome to the OB. We have similar taste as we buy what appeals to us as well, mostly at local orchid shows in late Feb and March.

I'm interested in your basement setup. I've managed to grow Masdevallias in the past but always lose them after a year or two. It is difficult without the cool growing area and require a lot of attention when grown warm. I've always wanted to do something in the basement for Masdevallias, Miltoniopsis and other cool growing orchids that I would love to buy but shy away from.

So tell me more about your Masdevallias.

Bill

[lallgood851]

I use 6 ft tall stainless kitchen racks with rollers. On each shelf I have 2 shop lights with 2 plant and aquarium bulbs each. These lights are plugged into a power bar which is on a timer. The plants are on mud trays I bought at Bed, Bath and Beyond. Inside the trays are plastic grids to keep plants out of water--they work like humidity trays. My basement stays cool about 60-70 degrees. I keep a fan running on a timer too. I adjust the length of the time the lights are on from 16 to 12 hours depending on the season. So far, most of my orchids like this. I have had some for one year and some longer. I hope they will survive longer.