My setup, all finished (for now)

[boytjie]

Finally got my setup the way I want it. I used two tall black-coated shelves from Lowes, which have lots of grids for hanging mounted plants. I also hung green hardware cloth down the left hand side for the mounties. (I did have to swap out the first shelves which were bare chrome, as they started rusting.) Each shelf is covered with Plant-Pro humidity trays from Tindara's. The lights are T5 four-bulb fixtures from HT Garden Supply.

Bottom two shelves (lower light) are Paphs, Angraecoids, and Phals on left; and Bulbos and Dendrochilums on right; with 21" between trays and lights. Top two shelves (higher light) are Catts, Encyclias, Tolumnias, Dendrobiums, Ascocentrums, etc., with 16" between shelves and lights. Plants are raised on stands or empty pots as needed to get them closer to the bulbs. Haven't decided whether to enclose the back and sides with a vinyl shower curtain to help raise humidity a bit.

Best thing about this setup is the tons of empty space I've now got! It's gonna be a long winter until I can start ordering plants to fill in the holes.

Thanks for looking!

[billc]

Hi Stephen, That looks great. How do you deal with watering? I didn't see any drain tubing and come spring when you fill it up, you'll have a full time job.

[boytjie]

Originally Posted by billc

Hi Stephen, That looks great. How do you deal with watering? I didn't see any drain tubing and come spring when you fill it up, you'll have a full time job.

I got one of those hand-held air pressure sprayers from Lowes, the kind that you use to spread insecticide or chemicals in the garden. It holds a gallon of water/fertilizer mix and lets me get right down in between the plants for more even coverage, unlike a watering can. Regarding drainage, I have been finding that with fans on, the water evaporates sufficiently from the humidity trays between waterings. (So far, anyway.)

[Grandma M]

It's fantastic. No nicely arranged. Now for more orchids?????????

I love those metal racks. How did we live without them? They are perfect, and also adjustable, for orchids.
The only problem I have is that I have some old trays 22" X 48" and they are just a little bit too long to fit within the 48" cart. Those metal racks don't give a bit not even 1". My old trays have a drainage tube at one corner, which drains into a large bucket.

Marilyn

[cb977]

It looks great!

[Sandy4453]

Love what you've done here, Stephen. Outstanding.

Originally Posted by boytjie

Best thing about this setup is the tons of empty space I've now got! It's gonna be a long winter until I can start ordering plants to fill in the holes.

Will you really be able to wait that long? Hint....heat packs!

[Jkelee]

OMG!! I LOVE IT!!! I WANT IT!
Awesome Work Stephan!!

[dounoharm]

what a beautiful job!! you will have so much fun filling in the blanks come spring! very nice setup!!

[snow]

great setup.

[Ross]

What a nice setup. Shouldn't be a problem drilling a few holes here and there fro tray drainage. When you get to dousing the plants like they need, there will be drainage, so you need to allow for it. But this setup looks like a big order this spring