How does this happen??

[boytjie]

Okay, I need someone to please tell me how I can go from a couple of half-dead K-mart Phal NOID's to this, in less than a year. Just finished my new setup, and it looks great! Thought I'd share.

The chrome shelf was 90 bucks at Lowes, and I equipped it with two four-bulb T5 lights, one per shelf, then hung 1/2" mesh down one side to accommodate the mounted plants. Everything's going nuts under the lights, new growths and blooms popping out from more than half the plants. I fear I went a bit crazy with the BLC hybrids, though; didn't have a clue how big they get. As they start to grow I'll be replacing them with mini-Catts due to space limitations...

One question: the bottom shelf is for the lower-light plants, e.g. Phals, Paphs, Masdies, etc. I have the light a foot higher than the upper shelf, but was also considering screening of some sort below the bulbs, since those T5's really pump out the light. Any suggestions on what folks use for screening material?

[Bird Song Farm]

That is a really nice set up. Your plants all look happy!

As for "how could this happen" I can only mis-quote a song............."You've only just begun"

I have read of folks using white paper to cut down the light level, or you could use sheer curtain fabric. I don't know about green house shade cloth.....might cut back the light to much. Hopefully someone else will chime in with some ideas.

Al

[Royal]

VERY NICE! I'm not sure you really need to put up any screening. Just watch the leaf color. Again, very well done - I am jealous.

[Royal]

I do see one problem... ...too much room!

[boytjie]

Ooooh, you're not helping.

[karen38147]

Very nice, I am so jealous....and thanks for the idea. I've been struggling with space and lighting during the winter and I think I'm going to run out to lowes!!

[boytjie]

One tip with that shelf: if you get the biggest one (five shelves, 48" wide by 78" high), it fits a 48" light fixture perfectly. I put two shelves four inches apart over each plant shelf, and then I didn't even have to hang the lights -- they just slot right into the narrow space between the shelves. (Hope that description makes sense.)

[Bird Song Farm]

Originally Posted by boytjie

One tip with that shelf: if you get the biggest one (five shelves, 48" wide by 78" high), it fits a 48" light fixture perfectly. I put two shelves four inches apart over each plant shelf, and then I didn't even have to hang the lights -- they just slot right into the narrow space between the shelves. (Hope that description makes sense.)

Great idea! Thanks for the tip. This looks like a set up a lot of people will be copying.

Al

[karen38147]

Thanks i'll remember that!!! I'm off to Lowe's!!

[snow]

a really wonderfull setup.