Today is the second day my cool orchidaium is working successfully. I will share my solution for the low temperatures problem. I must underline that I am not a technicaly skilful person .
The case:
I bought a second-hand vertical refrigerating showcase with a wide temperature range: from minus 30 to plus 30 degrees. The showcase height is almost 2 meters, as the usable part is about 150 centimeters (the compressor is below)
Somewhere I had a picture of the showcase in its original form,but I cannot find it .....
My changes to the showcase :
- The fan is bound to work independently
- The show case had 2 vertical luminescent lamps 1.2 meters each,they were replaced with Philips series for plants
- I added to the top 4 more luminescent lamps 2x15W (Silvania, a series for plants) and 2x7W (white light)
- the showcase was covered with wall-paper imitating natural material (sackcloth)
- there are metal bands on the door, along the the vertical lights in order to reflect the light.
I plan to put some matte wall paper on the bottom of the door in order to hide the drainage and irrigation system (you'll see on the picture)
Interior :
- All items are from Epiweb. I used a hot air gun to make different shapes,branches nad lianas from the epiweb .After heating epiweb becomes soft and pliable, processing it in any form is not a problem.
- I uzed 2 layers of waterproof material to create something like a second false bottom. I added a framework and two diagonals from metal perforated tape for stability. The false bottom has a slope to the inner wall. The lowest point has an opening that is attached to a drainage tube.
- The vertical part: The 3 walls are covered with the same waterproof material (not cutting). It is is longer than the height and goes inside the false bottom .
Irrigation system :
There are two courts (one is used as overflow) on the floor of the showcase , under the false bottom. Inside is an aquarium pump . Using hoses, angles, etc. I made a framework which is placed on the upper edge of epiweb.There are series of small holes along the hoses from which water runs down the walls. There is a pipe with holes inside the big liana,which is connected to the hoses of the frame..The pump and the lights are on timers.
Plants:
-Dracula s
-masdevallias
-telipogon
-lemboglossum
Several bromeliads .The walls are covered with a mixture of spores of sphagnum and Kyoto moss
I will add several more orchids at the top part
Temperature regime for the moment: 17-18 degrees daily temperature and 8-10 degrees night temperature. Lights are on from 8 to 21. The pump is working 3 times a day for 2-3 hour cycles.
Photos:
Orchidarium for cool growing orchids- my ideas about solving the temperature problem
Linear Mode
