The growing areas MEGATHREAD!

[smartie2000]

Heather,
After heavy rainfall do you have to pour the water our of the centre of the plants outdoors? I've been scared to put paphs and phrags outdoors because I didn't want rain to rot them.

 

[Heather]

So far, Fren, the rain has come at opportune times (overnight or in the morning) and I've had no trouble but I worry about the same. Should we have afternoon showers, I'd probably try to pour the water out. We've been lucky so far to have pretty optimal summer weather.

I'd never do this with the size collection I used to have!

 

[paphioboy]

Heather, the way you grow your plants in several 'layers', one on top of the other, is usually how people grow in the tropics... epiphytes are usually hung and the terrestrials at the bottom... i tried several years back but when it rains, the plants get dripped upon and rot. so now i have reversed the arrangement. i hang paphs, (especially brachys and multis) while the barbatas are on the bottom. i try to place my plants in alternate fashion so the the ones on top don't drip directly on the bottom ones. it is a rather good method of growing as the bottom plants receive much moisture. i also hang phals (sideways) and bulbos at the bottom... =)

 

[NYEric]

Heather, you still seem to have a good amount of plants. I'm glad you didn't get rid of so many. Isn't it kind of cool up your way, it's been in the sixties in NYC?

 

[Heather]

I have about 30 plants still, yeah.

It's been in the 70's-80's up here lately. Pretty nice actually. It rained last night and when I checked on the plants this morning they were just fine. I think airflow has a lot to do with it.

 

[NYEric]

This weather is crazy! I guess the downside when global warming is done will be that oil companies make money year-round because it will be cold in the summer!

 

[Heather]

It rained last night and when I checked on the plants this morning they were just fine. I think airflow has a lot to do with it.

Well, we're now expecting big storms this evening. They may or not hit us. Still, when I got home, I started thinking about the "greenhouse" cover that came with my other shelving unit. I was able to get it over the one the plants are growing on, it's a little wider but not long enough to completely cover to the ground, but long enough to protect them from collecting water, so, when I know a storm is coming at a bad time of day, I can protect them a bit.

 

[Candace]

Bump...there are new members that should read through this thread and I was noticing many members haven't posted their growing areas yet. I've posted mine on another thread, but not here so I'll work on that and maybe take some new photos.

 

[tocarmar]

I grow mine mostly in the House, in late Fall -Spring. The basement is the coolest temp. around 55-65d, maybe to 70d in summer. It has 3 windows, 2South, & 1 East faceing + I have 3 Fluoresent lights that are on 12-16hrs a day depending on sunlight conditions,With a fan running all the time. The laundry room has 1 southern exposure window & 1 door with a western exposure window. It is usually on the warm side 70-75d, with a fan on all the time. A grow room (bedroom) usually where I keep most of my breeeders (with pods till they mature) 70-75+d, 1 South window & a fan that runs almost all the time. During late spring-early fall in the seasonal Greenhouse for most of them, except for breeders (Paphs) in spike/bloom they stay in the house.

Tom

 

[NYEric]

Excellent photos Tom!

 

[swamprad]

Reading through this thread was very enjoyable. So many of you have great spaces for your orchids!

I'm currently growing in what I suppose could be called a mud room, a small space next to a bathroom. The window opens to the garage, so there is no sun. I considered building my own version of a fluorescent stand, but decided to go with the Flora-Cart instead from www.indoorgardensupplies.com My house is fairly large, but I have almost no sunny windows! Nearby trees and porches block most of the potentially sunny spots. In the near future, i.e. next year or so, I either want to build a greenhouse, or renovate my attic space into an under-lights growing area.

 

[Grandma M]

It looks wonderful. I use carts similar to yours and they work well for me in my home situation. Yours look so neat and organized and your blooms on the top shelf look great. I like it.

I keep looking and looking at the bottom shelf, left side. It looks like mounted plants, but what are they mounted on. Are they succulents? I am so intrigued by it. Is that a bloom, front center?

 

[goldenrose]

It looks wonderful. I use carts similar to yours and they work well for me in my home situation. Yours look so neat and organized and your blooms on the top shelf look great. I like it.

I keep looking and looking at the bottom shelf, left side. It looks like mounted plants, but what are they mounted on. Are they succulents? I am so intrigued by it. Is that a bloom, front center?

I agree - looks great!
Looks like a succulent wreath on the bottom, once the plants take hold (rooted), one can hang it! Neat!
It looks like a little phrag bloom doesn't it?
Looks like a couple of pots of herbs - basil?

 

[swamprad]

I keep looking and looking at the bottom shelf, left side. It looks like mounted plants, but what are they mounted on. Are they succulents? I am so intrigued by it. Is that a bloom, front center?

Yes, it is a succulent wreath I purchased from Solano Succulents in Solano Beach, CA last Spring. It got all leggy over the summer, and the two weeks of 105 degree temps didn't help it either. In the Spring, I'm going to pinch everything back and see what happens. The wreath isn't blooming now, but several of the plants did bloom during the summer.

And yes, that is basil in the pots. Basil is good in just about everything!

 

[SlipperFan]

That's an amazing number of plants in bloom!

 

[Candace]

Looks good, Mark! I was also intrigued with your succulent wreath.

 

[jblanford]

Here's mine in the basement I also have TV, a refrigerator full of beer, a telephone what else does a man need. Jim.
http://s110.photobucket.com/albums/n92/jblanford/?action=view&current=P1010036.jpg
http://s110.photobucket.com/albums/n92/jblanford/?action=view&current=P1010037.jpg
http://s110.photobucket.com/albums/n92/jblanford/?action=view&current=P1010038.jpg
http://s110.photobucket.com/albums/n92/jblanford/?action=view&current=P1010039.jpg
http://s110.photobucket.com/albums/n92/jblanford/?action=view&current=P1010040.jpg

 

[goldenrose]

WOW - that's some growing area! Very nice Jim!

 

[swamprad]

A very fine setup indeed! I wish I had a basement!!

 

[Roy]

I must say, for those not fortunate enough to have a green house or the space to put one, the growing areas in this thread and plants are a pleasure to view. You all do such a great job in providing the best possible for your plants. I must commend you all. I suppose when you think of the people we have met in person or through forums like this, their occupations, countries, their growing environments etc how orchids seem to bring everyone onto the same level. Its a shame we can't bottle what it is that orchids do to ( most )folk and inject the rest of the world with it. ( a thought for the day )