Grand Cayman Orchidarium questions - Orchid Board

boytjie · #1 (**permalink**) 02-04-2009, 09:49 AM

Hello all! I posted a similar thread in the wrong forum and didn't get any response, so figured I'd re-post under Terrarium Gardening.

I recently acquired a very lightly-used Grand Cayman Orchidarium for a ridiculously low price that I couldn't pass up. Now I understand that "orchidarium" might be a dodgy word on the board these days, but this is the "real" thing, so I assume it's okay to talk about it.

I'll be setting this thing up over the weekend and hope to shift my whole collection of 'chids (about 75 plants) off my baker's racks and into it. I've got Catts and Laelias, lots of Bulbos, some latouria Dendrobiums, Dendrochilums, Tolumnias, a few supposedly warmth-tolerant Masdies, some Angraecoids, and about a dozen species Phals and Paphs. Lots of these are mounties. Couple of quick questions, for those who may have this or similar models: do you leave the fans on 24/7 to dry out plants after watering, or do you rather try to strike a balance between higher humidity and better circulation? Do you find you water less? My primary reason for switching is so that I can go away on weekends and not make friends and family responsible for daily care. Also, any maintenance tips/tricks would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

cb977 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-04-2009, 09:58 AM

Hi Stephen

I'm going to edit the title of the thread to include the word Orchidarium, it may catch another Grand Cayman owner's attention that way...I know we have a few on the board

Gold3nku5h · #3 (**permalink**) 02-04-2009, 11:29 AM

hey, i saw you thread on vivariumforum.com and took me here, do you have any pics of it, or can you get some posted, i love watching construction threads. Also it sounds like we may have alot of similar likes in orchids, i love bulb's so far, and pretty much all miniature and small orchids are my favorite, but they have to have untraditional type flowers, unless the leaf stucture is too cool.

Ranchnanny · #4 (**permalink**) 02-04-2009, 01:01 PM

Hi Stephen, I have an Orchidarium but its not a Grand Cayman its a Maui. I leave my fan running 24/7 this gives the orchids air movement and also dries the leaves. I put some water on the bottom to create humidity and mist several times a day. I did have a mist system in there but moved it to the new GH... I plan on getting another mist system for it. You will love it as I love mine. Its easy to clean I use plexi glass cleaner I got at HD. I have the light on a timer to simulate the daytime hours. You can regulate the temp inside by opening the top and closing the vents inside. If you have any questions just ask not a problem...

Good Luck and Happy Growing.
Sheridan

boytjie · #5 (**permalink**) 02-04-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranchnanny

Hi Stephen, I have an Orchidarium but its not a Grand Cayman its a Maui. I leave my fan running 24/7 this gives the orchids air movement and also dries the leaves. I put some water on the bottom to create humidity and mist several times a day. I did have a mist system in there but moved it to the new GH... I plan on getting another mist system for it. You will love it as I love mine. Its easy to clean I use plexi glass cleaner I got at HD. I have the light on a timer to simulate the daytime hours. You can regulate the temp inside by opening the top and closing the vents inside. If you have any questions just ask not a problem...

Good Luck and Happy Growing.
Sheridan

Thanks Sheridan, I actually do have a couple of questions. Any idea what your average humidity is, in there, without the misting system? I'm debating getting one of those, because some of the plants I'll have in there (e.g., Paphs and Tolumnias) don't deal well, I think, with the constant moisture. Also, I have some species Phals and Dendrochilums growing in sphag moss. Do you think they might stay too wet in there, in that medium? Thanks very much!

Ranchnanny · #6 (**permalink**) 02-04-2009, 04:49 PM

Stephen, when I had the misting system in there the humidity ran between 75/90 during the day and at night it went down which is what you want. I ran it every couple of hours for 10/15 seconds and no mist after 4 in the afternoon to allow them to dry. All of my orchids are in the s/h medium. I have no problem with orchids in any other medium. You should get a second timer the one I had went only to minutes and Ross said that was to long duration. So I ordered one from MistKing. The misting system I had in there was from HerpMist. First photo is of orchidarium before s/h medium next is the misting system then orchids in s/h medium and mounted orchids.
Hope this helps....

Sheridan

Ranchnanny · #7 (**permalink**) 02-04-2009, 04:51 PM

Stephen without the mist system humidity runs about 60% and that's misting several times a day with a mist bottle.

Sheridan

OrchidTess · #8 (**permalink**) 02-08-2009, 09:33 AM

Sheridan,Thank you for posting pics of your Maui Orchidarium. My DH just ordered one for me yesterday and I wanted to see some pics of one in use.
Stephen, please post pics of yours when you have it up and running

Tess

CoolPhrog · #9 (**permalink**) 02-08-2009, 10:40 AM

I also have the Grand Caymen and like you got it for a ridiculous price. I leave my fans running 24/7 - I rarely put water in the bottom because I've not noticed that it really helps with humidity levels. The temps usually run about 70 to 75 degrees (it's in a room that does not have heat) and the humidity hangs around 75% to 80%. I do not have a misting system as I mist these every other day and will increase that to daily when it gets warmer outside.

Here's what I did with mine - can't wait to see some pictures of your setup!

Update Thread for Grand Caymen Orchidarium

The ever evolving orchidarium

Here's what Becca has done with hers (She also has the Grand Caymen but she bought hers new from Orchidarium.com)

MobileMe Gallery

I can tell you that the lights (if properly installed) are intense(each bulb is 55w so with 6 bulbs thats 330w of light), my nodosas have purple tinges to them, as do some of the other plants that are closer to the top. The footcandles drop drastically the lower you get from the lights...for instance, I measured my lights at 3500 fc directly under the lights...midway down, the fc drop to 650 and then all the way to the grid, the light measures 330 fc. If you place plants like bulbos, phals and paphs in there, make sure they are shaded. What I've learned is that even though the fc measure low, these plants are getting constant light for as long as you have the lights running. It's not like they are in a greenhouse or outside and the sun moves through the sky offering shaded area and dappled light - this needs to be created within your growing case....hope this helps!

boytjie · #10 (**permalink**) 02-08-2009, 12:11 PM

Dana, I appreciate all the great info! I've sent you a private message with a question. Thanks!