IKEA Socker Greenhouse

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

I think this is confusion about the term breezy...

I think you're onto something DC. I think the confusion is about 'completely enclosed'. After careful inspection of the image, the structure is not completely enclosed at all. And the confusion is also with the word 'gap'.

[SouthPark]

Looks like the issue is with the wording - as in 'gap' and 'enclosed'. The words 'gap' and 'enclosed' don't properly describe the situation here.

Instead - upon close inspection - the triangular regions are not fitted with glass panels. So it's basically an open triangular region front and rear.

[DirtyCoconuts]

That’s the darn trouble with words....lol

Meaning things Hahahaha

[mofms1]

Originally Posted by Orchidking

Lots of perlite is important mixed in to the media is a high humidity environment to help prevent rot and you should be fine.

Thanks for the link. I read over that thread and there was some interesting info there. I hadn't really thought too much about mounting the stuff I put in the greenhouse, it's small so I'd have to find something that fits. But I suppose if I was putting mini's in there I could go ahead and plant a couple on something laying sideways.

Right now for my potted orchids, I use bark mixture and the posts with the holes in the sides. I've never had a problem with root rot in those, but I could see how I'd have to be more careful in an enclosed space.

---------- Post added at 06:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:51 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Roberta

. I'd suggest experimenting with something not terribly expensive. When experimenting, remember that orchids do everything slowly... give it 6 months or so before drawing any conclusions.

Another thing to think about with such a small enclosure without ventilation - heat buildup. Even a little bit of direct sun can create an oven (think "greenhouse effect") Another reason to experiment with something inexpensive.

Definitely smarter to try with inexpensive first. Especially since I'm just now starting to work with different types of orchids. Now in the fall/winter it doesn't get any direct light because the greenhouse would be on the wall across from the window. I will keep an eye out for it in the spring/summer and move the greenhouse if it starts getting a lot of sun directly on it.

This is all in the planning stages for now so I think it may be spring/summer before I even get this thing going anyhow. I still have to make sure I don't kill the new babies that I got from the orchid show a few weeks ago.

---------- Post added at 07:11 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:58 AM ----------

Originally Posted by SouthPark

Looks like the issue is with the wording - as in 'gap' and 'enclosed'. The words 'gap' and 'enclosed' don't properly describe the situation here.

Instead - upon close inspection - the triangular regions are not fitted with glass panels. So it's basically an open triangular region front and rear.

the triangle areas have glass. The whole thing is glass, but it's not sealed air tight. I think I will see how it does with the top propped open, it's designed to be able to do that.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by mofms1

the triangle areas have glass. The whole thing is glass, but it's not sealed air tight. I think I will see how it does with the top propped open, it's designed to be able to do that.

Thanks for mentioning that the triangle area does have glass. This image here appears as if there were no glass - in the triangular area --- and even in the whole of the front area hahaha. Optical illusion maybe.

But in any case - they're demonstrating that some panels should be open for air circulation. Even the side panel is raised up a bit here - by sliding up and holding.

[rbarata]

One question...do you need the greenhouse just because of the cats?

[mofms1]

Originally Posted by rbarata

One question...do you need the greenhouse just because of the cats?

We already have the greenhouse, but don't use it much. The cats definitely play a factor though. Their eyes dilate and they go into hunter mode when they see leafy plants. I used to leave my spider plants where they could nosh on them (spider plants are non-toxic and fairly hardy). But I had to stop b/c they were chewing the plants to nubbins and killing them that way. I even tried to put a money tree out (also nontoxic) but the same thing happened; the cat went into hunter mode.

The only plants the cats don't seem interested in eating are my store-bought phals with the thick fleshy leaves.
I don't think the cats even see those as plants, probably b/c of the leaf shape.

So I'd like to have more orchids and I'd like to have them in a safe place, and since we already have the greenhouse I thought I'd give it a try.

---------- Post added at 08:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:00 AM ----------

Originally Posted by SouthPark

Thanks for mentioning that the triangle area does have glass. This image here appears as if there were no glass - in the triangular area --- and even in the whole of the front area hahaha. Optical illusion maybe.

But in any case - they're demonstrating that some panels should be open for air circulation. Even the side panel is raised up a bit here - by sliding up and holding.

It's really hard to tell b/c they have perfectly clear glass in the pictures (it's a lot harder to keep perfectly clear at the house). What you're seeing in that picture is one of the top panels completely open and folded back onto the side. I probably wouldn't do that because of the cats, but I could if needed and they were put up in their room.

[Ray]

Just a comment on the need for fans in enclosed environments: (Here's that damned "words"" thing again...). There's "enclosed" and then there's "enclosed". My former plant incubator - 6'x3'x4' - was quite warm, had LEDs inside of it, and had automated watering and misting. A couple of muffin fans was essential.

I now have a mounted Phalaenopsis parishii in a glass cylindrical vase. Room temperature, saturated LECA on the bottom for humidity, and an external LED. The top is mostly closed with a piece of acrylic, save for a 1/4"x3" crescent-shaped opening. No fan necessary.

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[rbarata]

Originally Posted by mofms1

We already have the greenhouse, but don't use it much. The cats definitely play a factor though. Their eyes dilate and they go into hunter mode when they see leafy plants. I used to leave my spider plants where they could nosh on them (spider plants are non-toxic and fairly hardy). But I had to stop b/c they were chewing the plants to nubbins and killing them that way. I even tried to put a money tree out (also nontoxic) but the same thing happened; the cat went into hunter mode.

The only plants the cats don't seem interested in eating are my store-bought phals with the thick fleshy leaves.
I don't think the cats even see those as plants, probably b/c of the leaf shape.

So I'd like to have more orchids and I'd like to have them in a safe place, and since we already have the greenhouse I thought I'd give it a try.

Have you considered another solution? We know how cats are maybe hang the plants.

[Roberta]

For what it's worth, I had a very elderly cat that didn't jump up on things much, but he made an exception for leaves that flop... Cymbidiums were particularly attractive. I think that any of the Oncidium group are also vulnerable. (I am sure they can see the slightest motion) Cattleya-types, with stiff, upright leaves were not attractive at all. So that's another consideration in choice of orchids that need to coexist with felines.