Looking for tips on orchids to grow in a modified freezer

[JustLikeAPill]

Hello! Let me start off by saying I've got very limited orchid experience. Think home-depot plants. That being said, I'm looking for miniature orchids (ideally no larger than three inches in length, but smaller is of course better) that I can grow in a small chest freezer (2.2 cubit feet). The night time temps will be 40 degrees, the day temps will be (ideally) no higher than 67. I'm putting together a small chamber for Nepenthes Villosa (my real area of expertise is Nepenthes). N. villosa is from mount Kinabalu and grows around 3240 meters up the mountain, so It requires very cold temperatures.This chamber will go in a dorm room, and the interior will be 11 inches wide, 17 inches long, and 18 inches high. If my dorm is larger than anticipated, or I have a room mate who doesn't care what I do as long as I stay on my half, I may get a 3.6 or a max of 5 cubit foot freezer instead. I'd like to cover the inside walls of the chamber with tree fern bark (or coconut fiber that comes in sheets. It would be easier to install) and mount the orchids directly to it, in order to utilize the vertical space. Which media should I use, or do you recommend something else? I'm worried about rot. Would Epiweb work in my situation? I'm really scared of rot. Water will probably condense on it every night. There will be two PC fans in this chamber (keep in mind, this chamber is the equivalent of 14.6 gallons, so I think two is more than enough, but what do I know?) and the humidity will stay high. Lighting will be an LGM5 LED growbar, which has 190 LED's. I chose this because of the low heat output. If It turns out I'm not satisfied, I may add a 65 (or 96, it depends) watt power compact to supplement.


I'd like something very small, I don't care about flowers (I like orchids for their architecture, and any flowers I may get are just an added bonus). I can mist every day, or twice a day, or really just whenever I need to in order to water it. I may not even need to water them, because I expect water to condense on the sides of the freezer at night. I'd also like something that, given these conditions, is not ridiculously difficult to cultivate for someone with my limited experience with orchids. I know these are pretty specific conditions, but I hope you guys can think of something I can grow Any information about any species I could grow in these cold conditions, including size and the speed of growth,fertilizing regime, etc. would be greatly appreciated! After four years, when I get my first starter home, I'll have the space for a 25 cubit foot chest freezer (the largest available), and then I can have more room, but for now I'd like to stick to miniatures. By the way, this freezer will be closed. No fresh air coming in or going out unless I open it for maintenance.

Mods: If this should go an a more appropriate area, please move it! I want as many people to see this and provide input as possible.


Clint