This is the best thread ever, especially for me, a poor student on a tight budget! Here are some things I have done or are about to try:
1. For great (although somewhat ugly..but it's all subjective..I find the usage of recycled materials quite attractive actually tbh!) cymbidium pots (especially for chinese/asian cymbidiums that like the tall pots for roots), take a large water bottle or a pop bottle and just cut the top off and you have yourself a tall, skinny pot! If you get see-through ones you can even see the roots growing!
2. This is an old budget saver but I thought I'd mention it - use those fluorescent light egg crate plastic grid type things for humidity/drip trays...just stick em in a larger tray, and all the water from your orchids will collect on the bottom without rotting your roots!
3. This is a trick which I have yet to employ....you can usually get incredibly cheap grow-lights from police auctions...there are grow-op busts all the time, and the police sell what they find after it's been used as evidence, to raise money. Ballasts and bulbs and everything!
4. This is another thing which I haven't tried yet...a little too heavy duty for me, but if you want cheap light reflectors, buy foot diameter aluminum drainage pipe from home depot, cut it in half and paint the inside white. Then drill some holes and voila - instant light reflector!
hmm I'm sure there are more ways but I can't think of any...will reply when I do
Great idea for a thread and I'm excited about saving even MORE money...more money = more plants!
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