Setup Suggestion - plastic sheeted frame or orchidariums?

[Zach Valois]

Hi,

so, I decided to post here because the ultimate goal of this effort is of course to grow and propagate orchids.

I am debating between either several large (36" x 18" x 36") exo-terra terrariums, or making a wood frame in my unfinished basement and making walls out of either thick plastic sheeting or white styrofoam panels.

Some differences that come to mind are..

Large Orchiariums
pros - asthetically appealing, easy to maintain humidity, relatively easy to light.
cons - limited space, more work to properly ventilate, hold HEAT, possible light problems in lower levels of tank, costly.

Basement Orchid "Shed"
pros - cheap to setup, lots of space, easy to light at different levels, easier to ventilate.
cons - might build up heat with numerous light fixtures, harder to maintain humidity, not as aesthetically appealing from afar.

My setups either way would be as follows.

36x18x36 Exo-Terra's:

Lighting: HO T5's, elevated with fans blowing across bulbs.
Humidity: Mistking system, glass top with corners where fans would be attached.

Tree fern, crate, or cocofiber background to attach already mounted pieces. Hydroton or Turface substrate.

Wood frame with plastic sheeting or styrofoam panels:

Lighting: 6500 K compact flourescents mounted at various levels, and or HO T5's.
Humidity: Mistking system and ultrasonic fogger. Likely a single small fan placed on the upper part of two opposing walls to draw air through.

Inside the basement shed I would use chrome metal racks, with egg crate or chrome racks mounted vertically to attach mounted pieces on. Cement floor. Small fan inside to maintain air movement, in addition to mist king misting system and ultrasonic fogger set on timers. Dual opposing fans cut into the upper walls to draft air through. Dimensions may vary around 6-7' long x 4-6' wide x 6-8' tall.


I am kind of leaning towards the basement frame idea, simply because I think it will be easier to control heat, allow me more space, and be more cost effective.
However, the exo-terra route will be less space used, less work to maintain long term, and much more aesthetically appealing.

I would likely be keeping mostly warm to intermediate species, with emphasis on south america taxa. Ability to collect and maintain is essential, actual propagation would be ideal.

I would greatly appreciate your opinions.

Thanks!

Zach

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[WhiteRabbit]

good luck!

[Zach Valois]

Lol. Thanks.

I will probably just go the exo terra route or build a couple large glass orchidariums myself.

[zxyqu]

Don't have much time as I'm on the road, but the basement idea gets my vote. You'd be surprised how well something wrapped well in thick plastic will hold heat and humidity. But location will matter a bit. I don't provide any increase in humidity other than my morning mists, and I'm between 50-80% in my greenhouse basement setup. I use two HO T5s and a 400w Mh.

[zxyqu]

Ok, a bit more information. Here is the greenhouse setup pics I posted some time back.

Basement Greenhouse Setup

It's been doing really great, and I grow Phals for the vast majority, which makes this setup/temp/humidity level nearly perfect. Any species that need a bit higher light go on one end of the table (lower T5 unit), and other go on another side where the light levels are lower. If you have questions about something like this let me know.
That said, I can see the draw of the exoterrariums as well. It's be nice to have something I can put upstairs in the office/bedroom to look, rather than in the basement. But each has it's pros/cons. I might do the Exoterrarium later when the dollar bills pick up a bit. For now, the basement setup cost about 500-700 all told, mainly from the cost of the lighting units.

[Zach Valois]

Interesting. Thanks for the input. I am still torn on what I would like to do. I will have to think about the lighting setup, as I would like to do mostly warm to intermediate new world miniatures. Perhaps some Neoreglia broms as well.

I will let you guys know what I do.

Thanks again! Please post photos as time goes on!