starting over

[professor plant]

I recently moved to SLC, Utah and had to start over in my orchid collection. This is what I opted for and the prices of materials to begin. I hope it is an indication of the cost commitment to getting started, with a terrarium, which is my new home to 24 beloved orchids. Thanks to all the vendors and friends at this Sept's Chicagoland Orchid Festival!

Exo-terra 18x18x24" terrarium @Petsmart $89.99
Repti-Fogger, Zoo-Med @Petsmart $59.99
8.5in Clamp lamp/ dome @Petsmart $14.99
65w cool CF bulb @Brew & Grow $44.95
Precipitator 360 spray bottle, 32oz @Brew & Grow $3.75
Industrial Spray Bottle @ Home Depot $2.49
Digital Thermometer/Hygrometor @Home Depot $9.99
2, Analog timers w/ 15 min intervals @WalMart $6.97each
Power Strip 15amp, 2 pack @WalMart $5.00
Air duct 8x10" alum. red. @Home Depot $8.98
2packs, Suction cups 4pk. @Home Depot $1.96each
3, 4" computer fans -Donated
9v and 12v DC chargers @Thrift Store $2.00
Black Electrical Tape @Smith's $1.69
Gorilla Glue @Smith's $3.74
Razor Knife @Home Depot $1.99
Bleach @Walmart $1.64
EggCrate 22x48" @Home Depot $12.99
Fishing Line @Smith's $2.49
Physan 20 -Donated
Spagnum Moss @Hausermann's $6.97
MSU 13-3-15 Fertilizer @Natt's Orchids $5.00
Med. Bark/ perlite mix -Donated
Fox Farm Big Bud .01-3-.7,org. fert. -Donated
Plexi Glass 1/8" thick @Home Depot $12.00
Aweaome Blossom 2-11-11 Fert. -Donated

The light runs on 13hr/ off 11hr. My light runs approximately 70 lumens at 65w for a total of 4550 lumens and 2000 FC at 9".
The fogger is currently running 3x a day at 15min intervals at 8am, 12pm, and 4pm.
The tank averages temps at 77F during the day, and 64F at night.
I mist all mounted plants daily at 7am
I fertilize weekly, on weekends with alternating MSU 13-3-15, Awesome Blossom 2-11-11 and Fox Farm Big Bud .01-3-.7 at 50% strength.
The tank is cleaned with Physan 20 and Bleach every two weeks.
I cut a piece of plexi glass to cover the top, with a hole for the humidifier hose, which separates the light from the high humidity.
Eggcrate was cut to fit the tank floor and raised up 5" form the base.
The 12v fan is hung with a suction cup angled upward and the 9v is linear. Each running constantly.
I purchase 3 gallons of distilled water each week at .89 each.

Well that's the beginning cost analysis. I will list the plants I chose to buy, their costs and vendors in a future post. I hope that this provides some insight to the cost of starting over.

[Eyebabe]

Sounds cool!
Would love to see pics!

[ezil]

I love this size of Exo Terra. I have 2 myself, and let me assure you - it was way more expensive. I don't think you'll regret it. I have a layer of lava rock at the bottom (I grow my plants mounted or raised to maximize light), on which I have a thin layer of sphagnum moss and planted baby tears and other small foliaged tropicals. This helps with the r.h. I also have my little fan blowing over a triangular dish with water, so that the ventilation is moist as well. Ilove the way it looks, and the plants are happy.

[Bud]

right...but where are the pictures?

[Paul Mc]

Yup, it all sounds good and accurate to me! Just be sure though that everything is plugged into an electrical plug that would kick off should water get in there. Too early to remember the name of it, but it's a requirement in bathrooms and kitchens due to the danger. Would hate for you to get electricuted while playing with your new terrarium!

Pictures please!!!! I'd love to see what you've done!

[gnathaniel]

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

Yup, it all sounds good and accurate to me! Just be sure though that everything is plugged into an electrical plug that would kick off should water get in there. Too early to remember the name of it, but it's a requirement in bathrooms and kitchens due to the danger. Would hate for you to get electricuted while playing with your new terrarium!

Pictures please!!!! I'd love to see what you've done!

GFCI: ground-fault circuit interrupter

--Nat

[professor plant]

Sorry, no pics available yet. When I say starting over, I truly mean starting over. I left everything back in Chicago, beloved orchids and all. I had about 100 that I had collected, many of which were paphs. I just picked up my digital camera, so I will try and get the pics up soon. I will post them with the blog I started about my new terrarium growing experience, titled "blooming potential".

[Paul Mc]

Where is your blog located? I'd love to follow your experience with this as I am learning myself. While I totally love the design of mine, who knows - one day I may change it as I learn more.