My new orchidarium...take a look

[jonnygreenthumb]

This is what i started out with a basic a armoire (spelling?)Let me know what you think, i still need to add a bottom water reservoir. When I have the time I'll list the chids I list the chids I have.

[Mahon]

Looks pretty good! Very interesting way of growing them!

-Pat

[jonnygreenthumb]

Tried to do it within reasonable money boundaries, so far I I've spent over 200.00, not sure maybe 300.00 and that's not counting the chids in it or the lighting, misting, warm air humidifier, cool air humidifier, and the...on an on. which I'm planning on improving with only MH instead of Power Compact. I wish the picture of the inside would have come out better though, much brighter .

[Oscarman]

Have you considered using hardware cloth mounted 1" off the surface, on the sides and back of your unit.......with complete control of the environment, it would be ideal for a ton of mounted orchids!



...no those are not my pretty nails!

[jonnygreenthumb]

No I didn't even think about using that, I believe I'll be making a trip to Home Depot in the near future! Thanks for the idea, that's the kind of input I'm looking for. Criticisms are welcome also. Give me all the advice you can.
Thanks!

[Oscarman]

How about ducting in the warm/cool humidifier to save on interior space.

For misting I would suggest contacting Marty (http://www.mistking.com/) - he has an excellent supply of equipment. Mounted through some strategically placed holes in the cabinet would provide excellent misting.

[jonnygreenthumb]

OK i cant get the temp lower than around 78dg. at night. I have tried to stop the warm air humidifier and kept the cool air humidifier going on full air speed at night and opened the top half were the lighting is located and put a fan blowing air into the bottom half. Any ideas on how to lower the temp to around 68dg at night?
I will be adding a misting system hopefully soon, my Carpet Chameleon will benefit from that to.
On the idea of taking out the warm/cold air humidifier and using a air duct I would probably have to run it through the top half through the lighting therefor heating the humidity even more. The duct could also run through the side making the duct pretty long. Wouldn't that prevent the warm/cool air humidity from entering the orchidarium properly ideas?

[Tindomul]

CooL!!!! The Lion the Witch and the Armoire!! Nice! With a little orchid forest within!
Anyway, maybe for a water reservoire you can use some light grating raised by pvc tubes to left the orchids off the bottom. And then the water reservoir below the light grating. You know, giving it a "false bottom".

[jonnygreenthumb]

Yep I have the grating and the reservoir. Just haven't had time to do it. Instead of PVC to support it I have some fairly large 31/2" to 4" tree branches. I am going to cut holes into the grating and place the large branches through it. Kind of like some trees. I can grow even more orchids on them

[jonnygreenthumb]

The chameleon, thought you might like to see what it looks like. I love this chameleon, my wife got it for my birthday. The requirements for keeping it are the same as chids

"This picture and text comes from the "Amazing Reptiles 2000 Calendar" photographed by Gail Shumway and published by Avalanche Publishing and its use here is in no way intended as a copyright challenge. Rather we would recommend that you buy a copy of this excellent calendar, the picture quality is far superior to that presented here."