I KILLED my collection - Page 2 - Orchid Board

Aceetobe · #11 07-12-2010, 08:47 PM

Even with very low sunshine amounts, greenhouses can build up heat in a ridiculously short period of time. Get a high/low thermometer and measure how hot it gets. 85F as a max is a good summer target.

Whenever you move your orchids, do so slowly and get them slowly acclimated.

I think its also a good idea to watch a growing space for some time with regards to temps so you can see what its like in different seasons, with different levels of sun, etc.

I had my greenhouse almost 2 months before I put any of my plants in - I just monitored humidity and temperature, and tweaked it until I got it right.

tcrane · #12 07-12-2010, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wrebbitrocks

anyways, i think that im just gonna buy some flourescent lights and have an indoor setup. do regular flourescent bulbs work? because i have a fish tank that could hold plants with pebbles on the bottom to help with humidity and the cover has a flourescent bulb. would that work? im going for a setup similar to quiltergal as that one seems to be the most applicable to my space conditions. plus it seems that theres ALOT of plants on those racks

I'm so sorry about your greenhouse disaster, but kudos to you for continuing with the hobby! Don't give up.

What you are describing is exactly how I've been growing my plants indoors - fishtank with a custom cover I had made at tap plastics. I've been using two compact flourecent bulbs but am about to switch to a t5 setup. The plants are happy.

Best of luck,

Tristan

Wrebbitrocks · #13 07-13-2010, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcrane

I'm so sorry about your greenhouse disaster, but kudos to you for continuing with the hobby! Don't give up.

What you are describing is exactly how I've been growing my plants indoors - fishtank with a custom cover I had made at tap plastics. I've been using two compact flourecent bulbs but am about to switch to a t5 setup. The plants are happy.

Best of luck,

Tristan

thanks for the consolation.

anyways do you have any pictures of your setup

Wrebbitrocks · #14 07-15-2010, 09:05 PM

wow. i went outside today and the 2 surviving phals are making a recovery. they have new little leaves coming out the center!!!

the epidendrum is doing pretty good and the growths on the zygo are a lil bigger. as for the dendrobium, its on its last limb and doubt its gonna make it another week. the cymbidium smells funny so i told mom to stop putting water in it because i think the water is stagnant in there.

Wrebbitrocks · #15 07-31-2010, 08:28 AM

update: twinkles gonna die soon. the cybidium rotted (but im planning a trip to the santa barbara orchid estate to get the same one again, its just too pretty), the orange epidendrum has new growths and roots, the dendrobiums gone, the red epidendrum dies all for one cane and its pushing out a new root so im crossing my fingers, the zygopetalum's making a comeback, and the two surviving phals are still growing leaves and one even has a NEW spike!!!

somethings going good. as for new plants, 3 new phals, and a psychopsis papilio!!!! i cant wait for it to bloom

Swamper · #16 07-31-2010, 08:39 AM

WOW I salute your optimism. Things will work out well and then one day they flop. Always remember how you handled this flop.

dounoharm · #17 07-31-2010, 11:36 AM

its so disheartening when your best effort fails, but dont give up on greenhousing, just study the situation a little more....you need a good max/min thermometer to monitor the temps, and start out putting tough plants in there....you need to keep an eye out for humidity, and great circulation is a must! homemade greenhouses are more difficult to monitor...take trips to local greenhouses and see how they handle the hot summers and cold winters in arizona.....then build again....gl!!!!

Swamper · #18 07-31-2010, 11:55 AM

I must be looking in the wrong store, where do you get a good max/min thermometer, I did find it at Amazon and other online sources. I just like to hold it before I buy it.
Is this a good one?.. http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_1...2&blockType=G2

johnblagg · #19 07-31-2010, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swamper

I must be looking in the wrong store, where do you get a good max/min thermometer, I did find it at Amazon and other online sources. I just like to hold it before I buy it.
Is this a good one?.. http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_1...2&blockType=G2

Home depo has a few I use one of the weather station kind that has min max and humidity too.,,,,

Swamper · #20 07-31-2010, 01:53 PM

Thanks John. Are they in the 15-20 range or are they a lot more?