My Vanda Rack - add on

[Grandma M]

My newest addition. I had four poles and I just added 2 more.

This time I went to Home Depot instead of Lowes. I was so upset at the man at Lowes when I built the first one. He insisted I send in the "MAN' who was going to builld it, with the measurements. He was very rude to me. He acted like an old, gray haired lady, who walks with a cane, wouldn't know the first thing about what I needed, or that I was capable of putting it together.

My list (simple enough)
2 1/2" pipe 48"
4 1/2" pipe 36"
4 1/2" elbows
4 1/2" T's
1 1/2" union
and the needed pipe for the base.


At Home Depot, I told him what I wanted to do, I asked for the items on my list, I got what I asked for, paid for it, went home, and had it put together in about 1 hour.

*****DON'T MESS WITH LITTLE OLD GRAY HAIRED LADIES.

I found this bud on one of my vandas today.
****Another note: It IS possible to grow vandas in Michigan, under lights.

[kiki-do]

You go M!!!!!!!!

[bellini girl]

Awesome set up Marilyn. I could probably use something like that, maybe 2 poles though. Very ingenious. please when that bud pops open.


Lecent

[dgenovese1]

Marilyn,

Thanks for posting the photos. It is ingeneous! You go grandma!!!

Just out of curiosity, do you rotate your plants so that they get turns being closer to the light source...they all look so healthy?

[Grandma M]

David

I don't rotate them because they are under a light mover with a 600W HID light. I try to keep the ones which need a little less light on the ends. This works well for me.



This is what I do with my small seedlings. It is an old tomato cage which I had in my garage. I just cut the bottom shorter, (cut off the spikes which go in the ground) tipped it upside down, and have it under T5 lights.

You just put your thinking cap on....it's amazing what you can do, if you can dream a bit.
Marilyn

[Becca]

Wow Marilyn! How about you come on over and build me one of those! I love it! I wish I had more room to be creative with stuff like that! Someday I will have a bigger house...lol.

[addictedcountryman]

WOW this inspires me!! Grandma, wooohoo I love the girl-power!!!! How do you water all of your vandas?

Abby

[Faz]

This looks fabulous. Is this indoors? If it is what kind of lighting do you use? I am in the process of trying to set up an indoor area and lighting will be my biggest problem as I have narrow windows facing south but need lots of light in the winter months. Weather is like Seattle. Fog, rain, and if we get lucky....more rain.

Thanks for sharing....Faz.

[shams]

Way to go Marilyn!!

Anyone who says you can't grow vandas up north is DEAD WRONG!! My Princess Mikassa got flowers that just opened today will post some piccys tomorrow

[Grandma M]

Faz, I live in Michigan, so I have no choice but to grow them indoors. I have them in my basement under a HID light with a light mover. I need the light mover because the area there is over 9'. I grow phrags on the other end.

I have a beautiful, basement grown, vanda in bloom now. I'll post a . I usually don't post my photos because I have a cheap camera and my photography skills..........lets just say I was in the bathroom when photography skills were being handed out.

If you are interested, I will send you a PM with more details. My kids laugh, and make fun of my hodge podge setup, but everything works well for me. They laugh, and then turn around and brag about the beautiful orchids their mom grows "in her basement". .........kids