My Tabletop Setup

[Jenn4a]

If this belongs somewhere else, feel free to move this

Wow, I thought my first setup was cool until I saw all of the others...

Well mine may not be pretty, but it is pretty practical... I think?....

Setup so far:
Connectable wire shelving
outside measurements 31" long, 15.5" wide, 42"-43" height
Plastic covering with dual zippers on both sides in front.
Attachable shelving that can be placed at different heights.
Mini fan
Humidifier (eventually need smaller one)
Humidity gauge/ thermometer.

*Needing a better heat and light source in future

I was aiming for a cheap setup, well that didn't happen exactly. I worked with what the tabletop permitted.
I can move the fan around and also remove the big humidifier (goes from 40 to 70 in 3 minutes), also the temperature increases from 3ºF - 20ºF.
At night the lowest has been 59ºF, but not usually lower than 66ºF with the completion of the plastic covering.
With the warm mist humidifier, the highest temps reach 88ºF.
The covering helps the humidity stay higher for longer, but eventually matches the house's 30-40 again.
I obviously cannot leaving the humidifier running more than 10 minutes either, unless I figure out the right amount of opening.

All in all it may not fit more than 10 if I'm lucky but it is a start!
This was also my first completed sewing project! AND ALL BY HAND! So I did get something out that's not so obvious, some new skills

My poor lonely Phal.. with the dying flowers
Sorry about the foggy photos, I had just ran the humidifier. Also, Once I get that area cleaned up I will be able to present better photos.
I know it may not seem like it, but this setup looks better in person than my crappy photos.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Looks like they should like it in there.

[Jenn4a]

Thanks!
I'll have to post new photos later
The phal that was in there has moved into a different location. (The flowers weren't lasting as long.)
I covered the table, and I filled the bottom of the setup with water. I found that if I keep one of the sides unzipped a little that there's enough airflow but the humidity is still maintained.

Now this setup is home to: my small phrags, paphs, Phal. hieroglyphica, and my vandaceous orchids. I have the vandas and mounted phal placed in front of an infrared light during the day to keep them warmer. (It only keeps one side of the setup warmer.) A 24w T5HO has been placed inside too.

* I'm also making a new shelving setup in a different room. I'm making the cover (almost done! I just have to handsew the zippers on.) I'm mainly keeping my bigger phrags, mini phals, and one cattleya here at the moment. The phals are in a sphag mix, and the phrags are watered daily so they are getting by until the cover is done. The room is very dry and sometimes gets too warm with the door closed. I can't keep it open yet until the cover is done. (Pets!)

[Tindomul]

How strong is your fan? I think proper ventilation is key and if there isn't enough the plants will rot. In my experience, if the leaves on my plants aren't moving then I need more air circulation.
Also you want to make sure it is circulation. Maybe you can put your fan in a tube so that it sucks air in from one end and spews it out the other creating a nice circular movement to the air.

[Jenn4a]

The fan is definitely strong enough to move the leaves, but as far as circulation, I'll have to check. I know it blows the water around.
Once I repot my paph delenatii, I can use that fan in the small setup too I might be able to position them so they can create a better circulation.

I keep part of it unzipped for ventilation. I read about how plants are happier with as much ventilation as possible.. I know it isn't as good as fresh air from outside, but I'm sure they wouldn't be happy if I kept it closed all the time. Too much oxygen and not enough CO2
.. Of course they also get some more "fresh home" air when I unzip it to water them.

[Tindomul]

Well that sounds good but don't let all the humidity out otherwise there is no point. Just keep the air moving, even if its really humid air as long as its moving you should be find. And you can introduce dry air every time you poke you head in to inspect the troops. Good luck with it.

[Jenn4a]

Thank you! I love the support from the members here.

I found a good balance with the humidity and ventilation. The humidity stays around 60-70%+ in the day, and usually 70%-80%+ at night.
I had troubles with mold in January, but it's mostly gone now. It happened with the cover zipped all the way up. The bigger phrags increased the humidity, and also decreased the circulation. When I found the mold, I moved the two bigger phrags out.

The room with the big phrags has a stronger fan. The fan is able to reach the left side of the room from the right side.
When the covers are set up, I plan to alternate which side the fan is on for each shelving level.

[Tindomul]

You are welcome, its just that I remember all the lessons I learned and am still learning when dealing with enclosures.