Movable minimalist setup in tiny space
 

Hi, can you help with advice on how to make a minimalist setup (low tech, low cost, that could be left unattended during the day), serving tray sized, movable when the place it occupies will be necessary for the work.

Is it possible at all and what would be the best solution?

I have six orchids: cattleyas, oncidiums, mttsa, cymbidium, all in not good shape. Would like to improve their life without disrupting mine ;)

I am in zone 6a, have large south-oriented window. In sunny hours sun overheats pots and leaves, in cloudy hours there not much light. Sheer fabric will rob orchids of light, and without it it's too hot there, during the day. In frosty cloudy days, leave alone nights, temperature is too low for a growth.

I wonder how grower from much colder Manitoba kept orchids near the glass without problems So it is doable.

Any tips? Remember, low tech, low cost, safe to be left without human attendant during the day.

I can place them on serving tray and place it within 2 ft from window (lace curtained for privacy). This way the available natural light will be used. For raising humidity without leaving humidifier on for a day time unattended, I can place orchids in big transparent plastic bags, or place them in 10 gal used fish tank. It would be more difficult to move aside when table is needed for other task.

Or set this fish tank in permanent place, but this will be beside the window, most of natural lighting will be lost. I think that 1-2 26W CFL (each eq. of 100W incandescent) in desktop lamps will be enough.

And room temperature is 72F (22C), but near the window, energy efficient and sealed by transparent plastic film, temperature is much lower, 64F (18C). Hopefully enclosure and lights will keep orchids warmer.

Or should I give up orchids at all?
Thanks.

I am a newb myself so hopefully others will answer better. But for now sheer curtains will block the direct light from cooking the orchids but most of them will have enough light to do well. Then there's the humidity. If you put them in some kind of humidity tray that will help. I use a big trays that are about 1 1/2" deep with a white honeycomb light diffuser that's used for celing panels I got from HD and cut to size. It's raised up about 3/4" from the bottom of the tray with cut up plastic pipe rounds. Then I put in water so its about 1" deep. It does help somewhat but with the heat in your south window you may be able to raise the humidity even more.
This is a start on inexpensive without having to move them back and forth all the time.

Maybe someone will have more suggestions.

:goodluck: Karen

As far as humidity and being transportable, check out these pics of humidity trays, like the above poster you can make these yourself quite cheaply and they are easy to move Plastic, Copper Humidity Plant Trays for Orchids.

I would not reccomend putting them in plastic bags as a long-term solution, it might rot them/cause fungal issues.

Good points, thank you!
Will do my best.