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jordan_green87

Moved them all inside in Zone 7

I made the move a few weeks ago to put my orchids back where they were growing before Jane suggested I move them outside... Then the leaves on everyone started turning yellow! I think it was probably a light issue, maybe cold, but I know that the north facing skylights in this room probably don't supply all of my orchids with enough light to begin with, so check out what I did today! This is all based off of Jane's growing setup with her five floor lamps (thanks so much for the reference!), and it looks so good. My husband was like, "so you want to do WHAT?" when we went to walmart to pick up the cheap lamps. The original shades on these lamps are obnoxious colors, so we left them off. The temps are difficult to regulate because this room used to be external and there are no ducts. I keep the door cracked so it can absorb some heat from the house, but it's still a bit chilly. Air movement is created by the filter in the middle of the room. Don't mind the dog crate and tupperware tubs serving as stands, this whole setup cost $70 AND it's on a timer! Here's the product, and any suggestions are appreciated:

Comments (12)

  • 8 years ago

    Lovely Setup!

    Jordan (Zone 7a, Tulsa OK) thanked User
  • 8 years ago

    So what sort of daily temperature range are you trying to get? Just curious, wondering what the optimum indoor range is for a general orchid collection.

    Hopefully my correct posting name will appear this time, rather than pendragonx.


  • 8 years ago

    Pretty plants! Is it too cold to sit in there and enjoy them? Put a radio in there, and wear a coat and make a sitting area. Like that ad for some type of snack, and the woman has made a “She-Shed”.

  • 8 years ago

    I'm wondering about your temperatures too. Being gone all day, we turn our heat down while at work and at night so much of the time temps are in the upper. Temps are up to 70 only during dinner through bedtime, and getting ready for work in the morning. I don't think I'm getting enough hours of warmth for my catts to bloom. I recently tried a heat lamp, but some leaves appear to be shriveling...desiccation?

  • 8 years ago

    In regard to the temperature questions:

    I haven't put a thermometer in there yet, but based on touch it feels like it's in the upper 50's, mid to lower 60's most of the time. That being said, my orchids aren't particularly upset with the temperature, in fact I've got about nine spikes on the phals. Anything is better than the low 40 degree weather we've had outside in the past month! Hopefully the room won't cool down much further as we move into December and January.

    I do go up there and commune with my lovely plants, but I am 5'9" and the ceiling slopes lower than my head for most of the room! Hahaha. I do enjoy the room though, thank you. It certainly serves as my "She-Shed."

    Jsetla, I would worry about putting dry heat lamps near any plants, especially if you get discoloration. You want a nice wet heat, high humidity. I spray exposed root systems and my vanilla almost every day, which helps add some humidity. Maybe if you held the lamp several feet away?

  • 8 years ago

    Looking at the pictures it looks like your orchids are those that like cooler temps. That makes it easier as they all can get the same culture. No need to grow orchids that differ as the menu of orchids is large. And we can find nice flowers that fit the culture. In a warmer climate I did the same. Different plants and different culture but what I call a mono culture. It took me a while to figure that out. At first I bought orchids that had flowers I liked. Caused a lot of dead plants until I honed in of a group of orchids that like my culture. If they don't they get given away or darwinized.

    Nice winter zone. A chair and a small table for humans to spend a little time. A breakfast or an afternoon beer? Glass of wine, bread and cheese? Something...

    Jordan (Zone 7a, Tulsa OK) thanked shavedmonkey (Harvey in South Fl.)Z10b
  • 8 years ago

    It is now early afternoon and the temperature has gone down in the fish/orchid room. It is now 25.3C and the humidity is 58%. Still good for orchids and humans. Forget about unprotected outside.....The Seabreeze is coming in from the pacific, but the UV reading is 12, Extreme!

    Winter is fine here, but as SM says, there are places in the US where a plant room would be nice.

  • 8 years ago

    Arthur, is there some space in the fish/orchid room dedicated for humans? Fish/orchid room, could we see a picture of that please?

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    It is the fish/orchid/computer/junk room and it is not for viewing!

    Here is a link showing assorted growing places here and there. But no growing rooms!

    Orchids here and there

  • 8 years ago

    Great pictures, thank you. I clicked on what I thought was a picture of you and it brought me to I think your house. A beautiful collection. And all the pictures are very nice. Thanks for sharing!

  • 8 years ago

    A beautiful setup. Ordinarily supplemental lighting should be a few feet from the plants it is benefitting. However, the light in total may be plenty if you have skylights.

    Jordan (Zone 7a, Tulsa OK) thanked lucillle
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