Converting an old cage to keep orchids - Orchid Board

Dave Deane · #1 03-28-2013, 05:21 PM

I currently have a 8' x 3' x roughly 26" high cage made from pvc with a glass front that I used to house some tortoises in for a while. I am thinking of converting itso I can keep orchids in it and was hoping to get some advice.

I mostly keep phalenopsis but I am hoping to branch out a bit from that. Just planning on keeping the plants light grating from home depot and to build some shelves with it as well.

My questions are what size and type lights would work best for this type of enclosure, and how many fans (size?) would be needed. There is already a misting system hooked up to the cage but I would probably have to add more tubing and a few more nozzles. For heat with the tortoises I used a radiant heat panel on the ceiling. Would this work to help keep the temps up when needed. Before I used it to create a hot spot for the torts, but I think it could be used to heat the whole enclosure with a fan blowing on it.

I don't think I would even need the heat panel most of the year but it gets pretty cold here in the winter months so it might be good to raise the temps up a bit then.

As for ventilation, I have 8 vents along the walls close to the ceiling. They are adjustable so I can open and close them as needed.

Any tips or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks
Dave