My cat keeps destroying my flower spikes--help!

[Paddle_grl]

I looked around for a while until I found the right one. A long time....The lights did not come with it. They are just generic fluorescent lights...
Lights of America 24" Under Cabinet Light they are usually always $10.00 complete, I just drilled a couple small holes in inconspicuous areas big enough for two cords. I have T-8's in them at the moment...It came with 4 glass shelves, but I only use 3. That allows you to move them based on the plants that are in it. When my orchids would spike, I'd have to rearrange everything. The whole cabinet with 6 lights amount to 120watts of electricity....not too bad. You do have to have two lights a shelf or they don't get enough. I would imagine you could do some set up T-5 fixtures as long as you can keep them in the 24inch range. I don't do grow lights, I find one cool white, and one warm light a shelf do the trick. It even keeps my succulents alive (it's not ideal, but it gets them through winter). Plus, I really like the way it adds light into the room, and is a great display to look at. Good luck!

[Daenerys]

That is a very beautiful setup Paddle_grl!

"Where there's a will there's a way" is certainly true. And cats can be perversely skilled at getting into trouble.

I ended up ordering this from Amazon: Amazon.com: Exo Terra High Glass Terrarium, 24 by 18 by 36-Inch: Pet Supplies

Any orchids in flower (and others that can fit) will go in the terrarium.

When I take them out for watering, I will follow the advice suggested here of pre-emptively locking the cat out of the room first, and staying in the room with the orchids until I'm done watering. Hopefully this will help eliminate further lapses.

There's also been new cat toys included in the shipment (and all the packaging is itself a source of feline entertainment for a day or two).

[Paddle_grl]

I'd be careful with a sudden environment change. Even turning the air conditioner on in the summer will cause bud blast. I think you said you grow them under lights already, so the light shouldn't be a big issue, but I would suggest moving them well before they actually start growing buds.

[Daenerys]

This is what I ended up doing: I put in a 36" terrarium to replace the bottom shelf on my orchid growth area. All the spiking orchids (and some others for company) fit comfortably behind the glass.

[rosslyn1037]

What kind of light are you supposed to use?

[Daenerys]

The light on my top shelf is a CFL growlight, while the fixture on top of the terrarium has four T5 fluorescent lights. I've had no difficulty getting orchids to spike, so they seem to be working.

[Paddle_grl]

Ooooo! I like it. It looks like a great setup!