Orchid cage for summering out.

[lepanthes89]

My "Orchid cage" :a chicken wire enclosure for summering out my miniatures.
Its located in a shady spot that gets morning sun only,and protected from winds.
I use sand filled trays,and "moss and chicken wire plaques" to keep humidity high.
I am able to summer out cool growing miniatures this way for several years now.
The cage is to protect from squirels (?) and other animals.For slugs, I bait with "Escar-go" pellets both outside and inside the cage .
The legs of the cage are sitting in saucers of water to further discourage slugs and snails.
Even still ,I sometimes find some damage.
Hope this setup gives some ideas that could be helpfull.
Spiro

[snow]

wonderful idea.

[WhiteRabbit]

that's really cool!
good idea - seems you have all the bases covered too

[angeleyedcat]

yes! you've given me some ideas I have squirrels too but also more deer than I can count. Right now all orchids are on deck behind high deer fencing but I've been trying to find ideas to keep them outside safely. I have such a short growing season in PA that I don't want to spend a pile of money or have a huge setup that will spend more time filled with snow/sleet than orchids/other plants.
Sand filled trays - do you think that might help any with the bugs? (some slugs but also ants here..)
It seems you have "doors" in front, do they hinge or are they taken off? How do you get in? The toughest thing I've come across so far is trying to figure out how to keep everything out but make it fairly easy for me to get in.
Thanks!

[lostonthebeach]

Squirels are also a problem here in Florida when trying to grow orchids outside. Your set up looks effective. Great idea !!

[lepanthes89]

Originally Posted by angeleyedcat

yes! you've given me some ideas I have squirrels too but also more deer than I can count. Right now all orchids are on deck behind high deer fencing but I've been trying to find ideas to keep them outside safely. I have such a short growing season in PA that I don't want to spend a pile of money or have a huge setup that will spend more time filled with snow/sleet than orchids/other plants.
Sand filled trays - do you think that might help any with the bugs? (some slugs but also ants here..)
It seems you have "doors" in front, do they hinge or are they taken off? How do you get in? The toughest thing I've come across so far is trying to figure out how to keep everything out but make it fairly easy for me to get in.
Thanks!

Hi;
Yes you are right.The doors are refrigirator shelves I recycled,and are simply held with wire where the hinges would be.They open nicely, and I can attend to my plants with no problem.
The cage is for miniatures, so its not big enough for me to get in,just my arms.
The trays are filled 3/4 with sand for humidity,and more refrigirator shelves on top for the plants to sit on.
I have found that holes drilled on the sides of the trays(old photographic developing trays) ,prevents water accumulation thereby discouraging mosquitos from breeding.
In the winter, I cover the whole thing with plastic,so it doesnt get too wet/dacayed.So far so good.
spiro