Anyone growing in a closet? Garage?

[Sirius]

I am moving soon and I will have a walk in closet, or a large portion of an enclosed garage at my disposal for growing orchids. I want to stick with species slippers and angrecoids. Does anyone have any advice for lighting setups? I have grown under compact florescent lights before, but I am talking about a much bigger space now.

 

[luvsorchids]

HO T5's are the way to go IMNSHO .

Susan

 

[ncart]

I got 4 of 400 HID lights in my garage. I can grow Vandas along with my other paphs.

 

[ohio-guy]

I think Ernie was growing in his garage before he moved to Florida, he might have some posts or info on it.

 

[Shiva]

I have a light setup for growing masdevallias and draculas in a closet. There is a small window in which I stick a fan to bring fresh air. A slightly larger window has an air conditioner filling it. I use T8 lamps, LED panels and two 250 Watts T5 compact fluorescent lamps. The idea is to keep the closet from overheating, which is important for masdevallias.

 

[Ernie]

I think Ernie was growing in his garage before he moved to Florida, he might have some posts or info on it.

Yep. Now my orchids live outside among palms and arioids. At our home page, there is a pdf link to an article I wrote.

-Ernie

 

[Sirius]

Thanks so much for the head start. I knew there were people here who grew under lights, just couldn't remember who or where to start looking. If you have a thread with pics of your grow area, shoot me a p.m. with a link. I still have all my lights, so I may just replace the bulbs and take the closet.

 

[Bob in Albany N.Y.]

Just remember that you can't be using 400 watt HPS or HID lights in a closet without a special ventilation system.

 

[Justin]

Just remember that you can't be using 400 watt HPS or HID lights in a closet without a special ventilation system.

Bob, you beat me to it. For HID,s you'll need an inlet for fresh air and then a blower connected to a clothes dryer duct evacuating the hot air out of the space.

 

[Sirius]

I would be using compact fluorescent lights if I use my current setup. I was just wondering if maybe I shouldn't move to the garage because of better ambient temps and the ability to water without worrying about the concrete floor.

 

[John M]

....and the ability to water without worrying about the concrete floor.

That is a BIG plus! Being able to splash around a bit without being concerned is a HUGE time saver and that helps one to not get burned out by the work.

 

[likespaphs]

...the ability to water without worrying about the concrete floor.

That is a BIG plus! Being able to splash around a bit without being concerned is a HUGE time saver and that helps one to not get burned out by the work.

i wish i had floor drains in my plant room!

 

[Ross]

That is a BIG plus! Being able to splash around a bit without being concerned is a HUGE time saver and that helps one to not get burned out by the work.

Amen!

 

[lienluu]

Does anyone have any photos of their garage/indoor lighting set-up that they could post?

 

[NYEric]

Dot Barrnett posted some.

 

[SlipperFan]

http://www.slippertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1004&highlight=natural+light&page=19

 

[Justin]

Hi Lien,

I doubt anyone can match Dot's, but here are my indoor lightstands...also a pic from back in February when some rothschildianum seedlings were blooming...