My new neo setup!

[Hakumin]

I finally got around to switching out my makeshift lamps with some nice wall mounted ones, and rearranged my setup. Here's what it looks like--neat and compact, just the way I like it, with room for the three more neos that I'm planning on getting.

Three wall mounted lamps with 32 watt full spectrum CFLs set on a timer. In addition to the lamps, the setup is closest to a very large south facing window, and the plants get a good amount of sunlight between 2-4 pm every day. The light intensity for most of the plants is about 1200 fc with just the lamps, and up to about 3000 fc including the sunlight. The gekkeikan in the middle is positioned closest to a lamp to get about 2500 fc to help develop and maintain nice variegation.

I'd been scouring the internet for an attractive way install lighting--I find that most dedicated plant lighting is kinda unattractive for the home setting--I think this was the best I could do on my budget.

I guess I should also mention the ones on the wall--Aerangis fastuosa, citrata and hyaloides--all three of which are happily growing new roots and leaves right now.

[Paul Mc]

Very creative set-up!!!! Good job!!!!

[Bud]

What a neat set up ! You did a traditional Neo potting just as the samurai did in the 16th century...I am amazed you framed your mounts??!! That is a triumph of interior design...your orchids look like they are part of the decor ! Oh...isnt the lights too close to the leaves?

[Hakumin]

Originally Posted by Bud

What a neat set up ! You did a traditional Neo potting just as the samurai did in the 16th century...I am amazed you framed your mounts??!! That is a triumph of interior design...your orchids look like they are part of the decor ! Oh...isnt the lights too close to the leaves?

Well thanks there--I did go to school for architecture so I am a bit of a stickler for interior design

As for the closeness to the lamps, only the gekkeikan is particularly close, the photo just makes them look closer than they are. Most of them are at least 7 inches away from the lamps, and the one in the middle is about 4 inches. I've checked the light intensities, at the leaves closest to the lamps and everything registers just right for intensity

On the other hand, if I notice anything turning purple, The lamps have flexible goosenecks. Easily adjustable to the right height.

[Hakumin]

Originally Posted by Bud

I am amazed you framed your mounts??!! That is a triumph of interior design

The framing was a fun job too--I had to make sure the mats and backing was water resistant to withstand the daily spritzing.

I really want to get a nice specimen of a Phal. schilleriana to frame above my neo setup. Just imagine this plant mounted and placed in a large frame, and in full bloom!



I need to get working on that.

[Bud]

My Phal. schilleriana is still a teener...maybe one more year and it will mature to bloom for me...I like the idea of framing it and hang it on the wall...you know you have to keep on spraying them because they are mounted; kinda like everyday!

[glengary54]

Hakumin - I love your Neo light set-up. It's funny that you should post your framed mounted plants. I just finished designing a temporary display for a local business that is housed in a "Green" building. One of the things I have planned is to place individual miniatures in glass fronted shadowbox frames for a photo layout. Great minds think alike.

[ezil]

That's a very attractive set up. I'm particularly interested in the shadow boxes. How do you provide even lighting, and how do you manage humidity levels?
Do you have to take them from the wall for misting, and how do you drain the excess watering?

	Mistking Looking for a misting system? Look no further. Automated misting systems from MistKing are used by multitude of plant enthusiasts and are perfect for Orchids. Systems feature run dry pumps, ZipDrip valve, adjustable black nozzles, per second control! Automatically mist one growing shelf or a greenhouse full of Orchids. See MistKing testimonials

[WhiteRabbit]

wow! very cool! and love those framed mounts!

[Hakumin]

Originally Posted by Bud

My Phal. schilleriana is still a teener...maybe one more year and it will mature to bloom for me...I like the idea of framing it and hang it on the wall...you know you have to keep on spraying them because they are mounted; kinda like everyday!

Originally Posted by ezil

That's a very attractive set up. I'm particularly interested in the shadow boxes. How do you provide even lighting, and how do you manage humidity levels?
Do you have to take them from the wall for misting, and how do you drain the excess watering?

I mist them twice daily directly in the frames--the mat is sealed with acrylic spray to resist the light moisture from misting. I take them off the frames to soak them once a week, and let them drain off thoroughly before putting them back in the frames. I basically took some black aluminum wire to create a hook on the cork bark, and a corresponding hook on the frame backing panel.

I've made a routine out of misting the three mounted plants, and mounting a schilleriana, wouldn't be much extra work....

As for lighting, the whole setup is next to a south facing window, and the measured light intensity is around what the plants need, as i had mentioned, all three are sending out new roots and leaves, and the hyaloides has formed three little beginnings of spikes i cant wait to see it bloom

	Mistking Looking for a misting system? Look no further. Automated misting systems from MistKing are used by multitude of plant enthusiasts and are perfect for Orchids. Systems feature run dry pumps, ZipDrip valve, adjustable black nozzles, per second control! Automatically mist one growing shelf or a greenhouse full of Orchids. See MistKing testimonials