Masdevallia growing area...

[coli0157]

This is my cool Masdevallia tank in the basement window. The 10 gallon tank is pushed against the window with the shade pulled over the top of the tank. This directs the cold air from the window into the growing area. There is water in the bottom plus I mist for humidity, the light is a 12 watt power compact. The orange one is M. limax, and the brick colored flower is M. amplexa. The cold Rochester weather is good for something...

[Tindomul]

Wow, those are gorgeous colors! Nice setup. What do you do in the summer though?

[coli0157]

Well the basement stays pretty cool, heat hasent been a problem so far...AC keeps the house cool and the basement is always cooler than the rest of the house.

[Ross]

Some folks don't understand that at our northern latitudes, ground temps control basement temps. I fully understand how yours stays cool. It's rare for mine to get above 80F during summer - usually about 70F. When summers are hot, I open a couple basement windows at night and run fans to cool basement and then close windows during day. I figure I can keep less than 75F most summers. Right now, my tank is 72F after lights have run all day and at night will drop to 62F. I congratulate you on the success of your growing and it makes me want to try once I get a few other species figured out

[orcdfrk]

I can't wait til I can get a cool area for those guys. Just bought a house and with an unfinished basement......its all mine!!! Population explosion coming in a few months when we take possession

[Ross]

Way to go! I am compressed into a smallish area, but I'm glad for what I have.

[coli0157]

My basement is finished, but I have large recessed windows that the tank is setting in. My desk is in front of the growing area so I can keep a close eye on the plants, plus it keeps some of the cold draft off of me. I think the same growing set-up could be done anywhere as long as the back of the tank was placed against the window in the winters and moved near an AC during the summers, the radiant cooling from the window really makes a huge difference. I will take a picture of the entire area, its really a simple set up.

[PhragChic]

Oh my gosh, of course! The basement! Why didn't I think of that before? It could have saved me from a bunch of masdevallia deaths.

Nice little setup there .

[smartie2000]

Beautiful and good set up. I want one of those masdevallias but my humidity is too low. 12 watts is very efficient

[Tindomul]

The only bad thing about the basement, is that unless you live there, no one will ever see them. You will have to rush any bloomers upstairs for the visit to look at during their...uhmm... visit.