Outdoor Racking - finally finished

[BobInBonita]

COPIED FROM THE FLORIDA SOCIAL GROUP - thought it fit here as well.

I finally finished my racks and got orchids relocated a couple of weeks ago. Pictures at the end.

The orchids seem to have adjusted to the new digs pretty well. Between the location change and the cooler, drier weather quite a few spikes forming.

Did have a few cases of sunburn - phals I thought would be "deep" enough really weren't.

THE TECHNICAL DETAILS
The racks are about 35' long.

The 8 verticals are 3/4" copper pipe with 1/2" rebar "stiffener". The rebar is centered in a 12" deep, 4" diameter concrete post.

There are generally 5 or 7 1/2" copper horizontals off each vertical standard. (1 center horizontal at 9.5', 1 or 2 horizontals 9' off the ground towards the inside, 1 or 2 horizontals 8' off the ground towards the outside, 1 horizontal 7' off the ground towards the inside, and 1 horizontal 6'2" off the ground towards the outside). The major horizontals are stiffened with 3/8 rebar running through the copper.

The whole thing is mounted to the house and juts out about 8-10 ' towards an areca hedge, runs about 20' along the house, and finally back into the side of the house. The top two racks on each side are about 22 from the center (total width about 44"). The bottom two racks are about 14" from center on each side.

Pictures are in my gallery also:
BobInBonita Album - Orchid Board Galleries

thumbnails here:
Entering from North


North entryway


North end of Middle Section


Middle of Middle Section


South End


South end - Vandas


Potting area - vandas overhead


Middle section viewed from South


Garden from inside kitchen - North end


Garden from inside kitchen - South end

[nutgirl]

That looks great! I like the idea of using the copper.

A perfect environment for your plants.

Maureen

[BobInBonita]

Thanks. Nutgirl
It was a bigger project than I expected, but a steel bakers rack rusted out after a couple of years. Plastic gets moldy here, It seemed like the best choice long-term. Plus I knew how to solder copper, so assembly was a breeze (other than a few minor burns and blisters from solder drips and grabbing something before it cooled.

[Zoi2]

WOW, what a great garden!
Joann

[BobInBonita]

Thanks, Joann
Couldn't do it in MO - or MN where we lived for 25 years. My collection there was limited to about 5 phals. It's really easy to get obsessive here because you can grow outside. Instead of trying to keep them warm enough we have to worry about dry out enough - hence the racks rather than shelves.

[silken]

It looks great! Quite the project. And the view from the kitchen is wonderful!