Hi from a new member in the midwest

[John]

Hi Ross...Thank you for the kind words. What do you do with your waste water now? I have a septic system that the water is pumped out to. I supposed you could just pump it out into the yard or into a French drain(I think that is what its called-a pit filled with coarse stone).
Last year I got this bright idea to put window screen on the egg crate to stop the roots going into the tray. What happened is the Orchids won that round by sending roots through the tiny openings of the screen and then expanding and branching something fierce. I surrendered and took off the screen.
Are your far from Chicago? The Chicagoland Orchid Festival is in two weeks. It is a great time to pick up plants and talk to growers.
If you any other questions let me know.

John

[Ross]

John, my operation is only 60+ orchids, about 1/2 in my large orchidarium in the basement under a bank of 4 t5 lamps. The others are upstairs in a south-facing box-bay window. We are planning an addition to the house which will add a large section to the basement with its own door. So I took a liking to your setup as it gives me a way to grow and expand under lights.

Right now my waste goes on garden from 5 gallon pails during summer and down the drain in winter. I don't generate a lot of waste as the orchidarium has not overflowed yet. The outflow for that goes to a 5-gallon pail which has remained dry since I set it up.

This is right after I set this tank up. It's now full. I'll add an updated picture this afternoon.

Here is the terrarium as it appears today

[Vanessa]

Love looking at your set ups and ingenuity. Welcome from S.W. Gulf coast of Flo-dra.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by John

Last year I got this bright idea to put window screen on the egg crate to stop the roots going into the tray. What happened is the Orchids won that round by sending roots through the tiny openings of the screen and then expanding and branching something fierce. I surrendered and took off the screen.
John

Try landscape fabric available in rolls at Home Depot or other building supply places. Not many roots can penetrate this stuff, but water flows freely. I'd tie it securely below the egg crate.

Originally Posted by John

Are your far from Chicago? The Chicagoland Orchid Festival is in two weeks. It is a great time to pick up plants and talk to growers.

I'm about 4 hours north of Chicagoland. Normally I'd consider, but next couple months are pretty full with trips and getting garden and ponds put away for winter. Winter hits early here in Cadillac! Besides I'm pretty full-up with plants till I decide on how to do major expansion. Couple plans are brewing in my head including the basement.

Where did you get your expanded PVC and how do you cement it? Sounds like a tool I can make use of right away.

[Dorothy]

What!
Pretty full up with plants?
I see plenty of room in that orchidarium

[John]

WOW! Ross... That's awsome. Are those misters I saw in the picture? I would like to see some other views if possible. A whole new basement addition for orchids sounds too good to be true! I have had some problems keeping mounted orchids going, thats why I put up my moss mat. I soak it down about three times a week and so far everything is growing good. I will take some pictures of how I glue the trays together and post them probably tomorrow. You can make the trays any size but I have several shelving carts from Sams club that a four tube fixture and the 15" trays fit on.

John

Hi Vanessa, glad you could join our thread. I hope you jump in some more.

[Vanessa]

Thanks John. It's a great way to learn.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by John

WOW! Ross... That's awsome. Are those misters I saw in the picture? I would like to see some other views if possible.

Yes they are misters from MistKing MistKing which are NOT limited to terrariums. You can use the nozzles any way you choose and the nice thing about it is the timer Marty sells is a interval timer. Mine is set to mist for 5-6 seconds 3 times during the "day setting" I choose. I vary the "day setting" more or less according to daylight at 45 degrees latitude. I opted for the best pump setup because I have plans to increase capacity in the future. Not much difference in cost. The mist is extremely fine and should not cause any noticeable wetness around your plants. I would discuss your specific needs with Marty, who hosts this board.

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[Ross]

Originally Posted by Dorothy

What!
Pretty full up with plants?
I see plenty of room in that orchidarium

Maybe one or two?

[Dorothy]

One or 2 BIG ones?