orchid 'cage'/bench design

[Ross]

I think the idea is sound, but I would go with a double layer of window screen on top rather than wood. This will reduce the overhead sun intensity by maybe 50% or so. A good light meter would help here. I suspect the solid wood top will make it too dark inside for most orchids. Even Phals and Paphs take upwards from 2000 foot-candles (20,000 lux). Cats, Encyclia, Brassia, Dendrobiums, Vandas, etc. all will take nearly 3500-4000 Foot-candles. At your latitude, direct sun is not very intensive compared to the tropics.

[(..._...)]

Originally Posted by Ross

I think the idea is sound, but I would go with a double layer of window screen on top rather than wood. This will reduce the overhead sun intensity by maybe 50% or so. A good light meter would help here. I suspect the solid wood top will make it too dark inside for most orchids. Even Phals and Paphs take upwards from 2000 foot-candles (20,000 lux). Cats, Encyclia, Brassia, Dendrobiums, Vandas, etc. all will take nearly 3500-4000 Foot-candles. At your latitude, direct sun is not very intensive compared to the tropics.

the piece of wood is there to mainly keep out rain/ potential hail. Since the fence is there, only 10% of the bench would recieve full sun, and only for a short period. I also want to keep my plants away from rain as much as possible, since my plants are primarily in sphag, and I want to make sure they dry out enough.