Okay, Geoff, I see no alternative but to sell my soul to Mephistopheles in return for a nice country cottage (near a major urban center, of course) and a right-sized, properly mechanized greenhouse, where I shall discover, on a daily basis, that many more plants have bloomed overnight. I believe the term is 34 years of this paradise prior to eternity in flames - sounds fair to me!

Seriously, what an impressive set-up! I believe you could show the Orchid Conservatory here in Atlanta a few ways to upgrade their collection. I realize that you have been at this for decades, but the real point is how very much you have to show in terms of experience with just about every combination of orchids and their care under the sun. (And, I have to remind myself that time just takes time, and there's no substitute for that.) Thank you for putting in the time and work to take us through your greenhouse. I always learn something from you, even if it's something I'd rather not know.

I am profoundly handicapped by my "growing area" - which doubles as the brighter half of my living room - but that just provides the opportunity for more and more ingenious strategies. At least, that's how I think of it on my more optimistic days. Needless to say, my orchid habitat is about 180 degrees opposite of yours. And yet, it seems possible that I can actually grow, and bloom, at least a few of the plans that you have in such copious quantities. I suppose that's one of the mysteries underlying orchid obsessions. I'm working on adapting some of your techniques to fit my situation. I don't have HID lights, but I do have fluorescent daylight spectrum lamps trained on my plants in every direction I can fit them - just as an adjunct to the natural light. Whether that's bright enough to tide them through to early February remains to be seen.

Instead of trying to describe my set-up, I'll try to post some photos of it when I have a chance. Right now, I'm in the midst of moving everything around - which would not make for a good photo for the record!