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  #11  
Old 12-01-2020, 04:23 PM
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Roberta Roberta is online now
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Depending on how cool, some high-elevation plants that are really difficult to grow under ambient conditions because they hate heat, include Den. cuthbertsonii and Telipogons. De gustibus non disputandum est... There is no disputing taste... I love Sophronitis, I have some that tolerate the temperature range that I have. Your favorite orchids will be those that grow well for you as well as being beautiful, or exotic, or bizarre, or whatever tickles your fancy.

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  #12  
Old 12-02-2020, 10:11 AM
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I met a grower who took “cool growing” to new levels - instead of a greenhouse, he purchased a 40-foot, refrigerated shipping container, insulating the outside and covering it to make it look nice, then outfitted the interior with lighting, fans, and irrigation.
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  #13  
Old 12-02-2020, 10:40 AM
theorchidapartment theorchidapartment is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray View Post
I met a grower who took “cool growing” to new levels - instead of a greenhouse, he purchased a 40-foot, refrigerated shipping container, insulating the outside and covering it to make it look nice, then outfitted the interior with lighting, fans, and irrigation.
Wowwwww that is next level!!! And here I am intimidated by having to fill this countertop display case hahaha
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  #14  
Old 12-04-2020, 11:36 PM
theorchidapartment theorchidapartment is offline
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Successfully upgraded the light from a fluorescent bulb to a 12W, 5000k LED tube.

Before
WIP: Fridge terrarium for cool growers-img_20201130_114351581-jpg

After
WIP: Fridge terrarium for cool growers-img_20201204_200156043-jpg

Before
WIP: Fridge terrarium for cool growers-img_20201130_132933091-jpg

After
WIP: Fridge terrarium for cool growers-img_20201204_201308733-jpg

The fluorescent required a magnetic ballast and a starter. I removed those components and wired the tombstones and switch directly to the AC plug.

As you can see in the pictures, it is a huge improvement in terms of color temperature and intensity. Energy savings and cooler operating temperature are a plus as well!
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WIP: Fridge terrarium for cool growers-img_20201204_200156043-jpg   WIP: Fridge terrarium for cool growers-img_20201204_201308733-jpg  
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  #15  
Old 12-05-2020, 12:11 AM
Draikan Draikan is offline
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Looks awesome! Could you link the light you used?
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  #16  
Old 12-05-2020, 08:56 AM
theorchidapartment theorchidapartment is offline
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Looks awesome! Could you link the light you used?
Yes! Forest Lighting 12W 5000k T8 LED lamp, 2ft

This was one of the higher actual wattage 2ft bulbs I could find (as opposed to wattage equivalent). There was one bulb that had two rows of LEDs that may have ended up being brighter, but it looked like it might be a little bit too bootleg for my comfort.
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  #17  
Old 12-16-2020, 10:54 PM
theorchidapartment theorchidapartment is offline
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Latest updates:

InkBird ITC-310T-B controller arrived! Still trying to wrap my head around the programming instructions.

Two second-hand AC Infinity fans also arrived.

Went to the home improvement store and got a stack of white styrofoam pieces, which I used to insulate the grow space. It was sort of a haphazard build and I have no idea if this was the right way to go about it, but I guess I'll find out!

WIP: Fridge terrarium for cool growers-img_20201216_171848649_hdr-jpg

WIP: Fridge terrarium for cool growers-img_20201216_171939957_hdr-jpg

Covering the outside sort of defeats the purpose of having a refrigerated display case, but it's nice to have the option to have it visible from all sides if I want to do that in the future.

I also got a roll of 1/2" welded hardware mesh, which I plan to use to build an internal structure for hanging orchids and the fans.

I ordered two long windowsill trays, which hopefully will fit two-deep. My plan is to put a layer of LECA with eggcrate light diffuser on top to catch runoff and double as humidity trays.

I also ordered an additional 2-foot LED strip light to supplement the built-in tube light.

These are the orchids I am planning to order from Andy's to kick things off:
  • Dendrobium cuthbertsonii
  • Dracula saulii
  • Epidendrum neoporpax
  • Masdevallia veitchiana
  • Restrepia brachypus
  • Sophronitis coccinea
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  #18  
Old 12-16-2020, 11:02 PM
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Looks fantastic. A question... how tall is it? Masd. veitchiana can have 2-foot spikes, when growing well, plants aren't small either. The others on your list are small, but that one could be an issue.
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  #19  
Old 12-16-2020, 11:15 PM
theorchidapartment theorchidapartment is offline
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Looks fantastic. A question... how tall is it? Masd. veitchiana can have 2-foot spikes, when growing well, plants aren't small either. The others on your list are small, but that one could be an issue.
Ooh, thank you for the heads up! At the tallest point inside (at the back), it's about 22" high. Might be cutting it close, but I want that beauty so bad!!
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  #20  
Old 12-16-2020, 11:24 PM
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They are gorgeous. But there are so many beautiful Masdies to choose from... something to consider.
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