Finally getting things the way I like them. I grow my 'chids in the unused dining room in my apartment. (No, I don't entertain much.)
My place doesn't get much in the way of decent natural light; most windows are north-facing. So, the setup has evolved over time into two tall wire shelving units from Lowes, each with two banks of 4-foot, four-bulb T5 lights. Two fans on the opposite wall keep the air circulating. Fans and lights are on timers, so everything is automated. A small room humidifier keeps things between 50-60%, even on really dry icy days. Average temps are high 70s during the day, dropping to around 60 at night. The heat from the lamps tends to rise, keeping the upper two shelves about five degrees warmer, so most of the warmer-growing plants are on top. Everything gets watered from a hand-pump sprayer that I got from Home Depot. Water drains into plastic humidity trays, which somehow magically fit the shelves like they were made for them.
At present I've got about 110 plants. I've managed to grow and bloom tons of fun stuff I never thought I'd be able to, which has encouraged me to try even more. And as an added but important bonus, the light therapy on gray dark winter days sure is awesome! (And yes, I know there is room for more plants. Working on that one.)
Thanks for looking!
Pic #1 - The whole setup.
Pic #2 - Top left shelf: Oncidium and Dendrobium alliances, plus other miscellaneous oddities.
Pic #3 - Bottom left shelf: Masdevallias and other Pleurothallids, Angraecoids, Dendrochilums, Phalaenopsis, Miltonia.
Pic #4 - Top right shelf: Cattleya alliance.
Pic #5 - Bottom right shelf: Bulbophyllums and Paphiopedliums.
My setup as of 12/09
Beau-ti-ful!
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