Orchidarium built in 100+ year old furniture

[GregGrowsOrchids]

Hi all, this is my first post. I recently built an orchidarium from this old cabinet I found on the side of the road in trash. I have two ac infinity fans, mistking system and two orchid lights on top. I’m just putting some orchids now for acclimation and hope it all goes well.

Couple of questions.

1. I’m wondering if the two small ac infinity fans are enough circulation so there is no rot. The humidity starts at 100% when mistking goes off at 8 am and slowly drops to about 60% by the following 8 am.

2. I may need to add another mist king nozzle as I have it run for 1 minute and it does not really “soak” the orchids like they need. Any advice?

I just added restrepia and bulbophyllum to it and will be watching for warning signs. I have them low in fear of too much light.

Any advice is welcome!!

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[DirtyCoconuts]

Welcome

I value anyone who saves trash. Kudos

What are you trying to grow in there? Orchids have a wide range of needs.

[GregGrowsOrchids]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

Welcome

I value anyone who saves trash. Kudos

What are you trying to grow in there? Orchids have a wide range of needs.

Thanks, DirtyCoconuts! Well, i'm really open to all types of orchids. I have a few minis right now that have been living in my bathroom since february and doing well. (gastrochillus japonicus - in bloom, grosourdya appendiculata, gastrochillus bellinus) I just got the restrepia langsburgii and bulbophyllum trairsetalla in the mail today. Hoping they take well to the conditions. I would really like to have any small/micro mounted orchid that do well in the conditions bleow:

Since the set up is so new i guess i have to just keep an eye out.

it appears the humidity ranges from 100%-60% but averaging around 80%.

Temp goes from 77 degrees F to a low of 72 degrees F. which is not much of a drop.

I would really like it too be fully auto so i don't have to 'soak' the orchids and have the mist king do all the watering, but if i have to soak them every morning so be it. The mist king is wonderful with keeping humidity in this medium sized case. I just hope my fans can provide enough air circulation so nothing rots.

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

You can lengthen the spray period. Stand there with the mister on, watch, and decide how long it takes to water the plants the way you want them. Then program that into the timer.

Your timer might allow you to water more than once a day. A lot of people water in early morning and early afternoon.

As for light - you'll just have to watch the plants. Be prepared to move them farther from the light quickly if they look like they're getting too much.

[DirtyCoconuts]

So you are at the amazing precipice where you can choose, do I want these X orchids so o can make my space fit them -OR- do I want this type of growing space with these conditions and then pick the plants to go inside




Some food for thought. I live in a hot and moist area. I wanted to grow orchids I could not grow so I made a terrarium that is cooler and wetter and then picked the plants I wanted for that climate range.

Some people want to have a certain plant but it can’t grow where they are so they make a new climate to accommodate the plant the covet

On some ways I envy the open universe before you buy on the other hand it is a lot to decide lol

Make a dozen terrariums if you have access to such great garbage!!!

[GregGrowsOrchids]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

So you are at the amazing precipice where you can choose, do I want these X orchids so o can make my space fit them -OR- do I want this type of growing space with these conditions and then pick the plants to go inside




Some food for thought. I live in a hot and moist area. I wanted to grow orchids I could not grow so I made a terrarium that is cooler and wetter and then picked the plants I wanted for that climate range.

Some people want to have a certain plant but it can’t grow where they are so they make a new climate to accommodate the plant the covet

On some ways I envy the open universe before you buy on the other hand it is a lot to decide lol

Make a dozen terrariums if you have access to such great garbage!!!

well that was quick! my restrepia lansbergii is blooming and has two more buds coming! I suppose my orchidarium's conditions are going pretty well!

[WaterWitchin]

Very nice! Must be happy in there!

[DirtyCoconuts]

Stunning camera work!!

[DeaC]

Greg,it looks very nice. My only question coming from someone with no carpentry skills is how does the humidity not compromise the integrity of such old lovely wood? I see you have fans but is cabinet lined with a water-proof barrier of some sort? TY

[GregGrowsOrchids]

Originally Posted by DeaC

Greg,it looks very nice. My only question coming from someone with no carpentry skills is how does the humidity not compromise the integrity of such old lovely wood? I see you have fans but is cabinet lined with a water-proof barrier of some sort? TY

Hey DeaC, you're correct. I've completely sealed the growing chamber with flex seal. I used the spray for the walls of the chamber and did any little crack or crevasse with flex glue! so far so good, so i'm keeping my fingers crossed.I've went back and filled some spots.