all my plants have a new home...but is it smart?
 

I have all of my plants in one of those clear plastic greenhouses in a east-facing window. They get morning sun from sunrise until around 11am. I have a moisture tray at the bottom and I can feel the humidity when I open the zipper door, but no condensation develops on the inside. So, my question is, is this smart in the long run? I have a vanda, catt, dendro on the top shelf (most sun) --max, paph, onc hyb x2 on the middle shelf -- and phals on the bottom shelf (least sun). I haven't watered in the 2 weeks since I put them in there, and I only spray them every few days. Should I spray any specific plants more or less in this setting? My other option for any of them, if necessary, is a bookshelf 90* from the same window...no direct sun. I tried a light meter...the window gets upwards of 26k and the wall gets 1k. LOL I don't know what to do :)

You need supplement lighting for the Vandas, Cattleyas and Dendrobiums....but as far as humidity is concerned=you are set.
Post pictures when you can so we can advice you better.

So, maybe move the top shelfers to the bottom with a supplemental light? (how many hours per day?) shoot...there's less space at the bottom....shade cloth under the top shelf?

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-k...o/IMAG0158.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R...o/IMAG0159.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-H...o/IMAG0160.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s...o/IMAG0161.jpg(don't mind the leafless catt and squirrel bitten encyc/coch) why do phal leaves do that again? too much sun? water issue? blah...I'm trying to neglect but be proactive....phals don't like me.

---------- Post added at 10:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:23 PM ----------

everything is in pretty loose medium except the plants I got from Parkside & Waldor (reputable nurseries, don't want to screw it up) vanda, paph & max

you can put the orchids outdoors in the summer=humidity, light and warmth will be awesome in your grow zone.
this set up is merely for winter so your plants wont freeze.
there are some lights on clamps that you can put on each tier.
invest on a timer so you have at least 8 hrs of light....
read some of the lighting set ups of some of the senior members.

Yes, I plan to put them outside all summer -- I actually just moved to central Ohio, but my mom has had great luck with her orchids here so I'm not too concerned...I just don't want issues b/c of my indoor setup, although this is a step up from the dry bookshelf most recently :) Thanks!

What about air movement? Do you plan to have fans running in there?

I can see on your first closeup the first plant on your left has bugs and that is due to lack or air movement

I see what you're referring too, but it's just the light -- I just scoured my plants and they're all clear...the white area is the flash hitting a spot of dry sheath *phew* -- ETA: actually it's not dry sheath but it must just be glare b/c there is no white area on that stalk at all, just shiny green!

the entire green house is about 1' from a floor vent, so I will lift the side a bit to get more airflow (we keep our furnace around 65*, so temp won't be an issue)

I have one of those greenhouses too. What I use for air movement is I bought a small clip on fan and turn it on low when the greenhouse is closed.
Just my two cents.

I have one of those! Thanks for the tip :)

Anytime for the tip!

There is an orchid society in the Columbus area and I think their show might be this weekend. If you need information, I think I have a flyer somewhere about their orchid show. You can always ask the orchid society members questions at the show. I know plenty of people asked us questions at our show about their orchids. The mission of an orchid society is to help people keep orchids alive. :)
Good luck with your orchids!

I just have a quick question about this greenhouse. Saw one in the store just like this for $30, next size up (a walk-in) for only $69! But the thing I wondered when I saw Jesscorine's pics and the unit in store is, what do you do when your plants are flowering? It looks like there's not enough room for a spike to be thrown and then flower.

Thanks! Hope it all works out well for you btw! :-D
Lotis

I can answer that.

I have one that respiked on a old spike. I just took off the shelf above it to give it room.

I just wanted to let you know that the Central Ohio Orchid Society's Show is on March 29-30, 10-5 each day. It is at 1777 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio.