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Thread: Tom's basement Grow Area

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  1. #1
    Real Name
    Tom
    Favorite Orchid(s)
    Almost all species...
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Right Coast, U.S.A
    Posts
    2,631
    Member's Country Flag

    Default Tom's basement Grow Area

    Thanks a lot for putting me in the spot, Bruce.
    I used to grow my plants(different kind of orchids, mainly hybrids) in a greenhouse when I lived up in further north, but now I only grow my plants in my basement under HID light. The cooler growers stay inside year round but the warmer growers will have to be outside for 6 months of the year. I was thinking about the greenhouse after I moved in the new house five years ago but financially I could not do it right away, plus I was not sure I should pick up this hobby... Well,... If I want a greenhouse again, I would like to have a true cool/cold greenhouse.
    I will show you guys all my growing arears and plants someday, but for now, just three old photos of my indoor growing area/areas:
    ***There were 40% of my plants had been moved outside when I took those photos(in 2007?). The empty table on the right is for warmer growers and that table will be enclosed in the winter time and keep warm growers warmer.

    I mainly grow minature or small species.
    Attached Images Attached Images    

  2. #2
    Real Name
    Amey Bhide
    My Grow Area
    Greenhouse
    Favorite Orchid(s)
    Cattleya alliance
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Gender
    Male
    Location
    Pune, India
    Posts
    5,363
    Member's Country Flag

    Default

    This grow space is simply stunning !!! I am going to dream about this one for some time. I finally have decided that I will grow cool to cold loving orchids in my hot climate in a set up like yours. Cool growers here I come !!!

  3. #3
    Real Name
    Ron
    Favorite Orchid(s)
    Bulbophyllum, native orchids
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Gender
    Male
    Location
    Tacloban city, Leyte
    Posts
    6,064
    Member's Country Flag

    Default

    wow tom,
    thats a good start with pix!

    everything is soooo neatly arranged, im jealous now!

  4. #4
    Real Name
    Bruce Brown
    My Grow Area
    Greenhouse
    Favorite Orchid(s)
    Cattleyas & Slippers
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Gender
    Male
    Location
    Arkansas
    Posts
    35,133
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    Default

    So as to not take anything away from the Maxillaria variabilis, I moved your grow photos to the member's grow photo area in our community.

    Tom, that looks like an incredible setup. I would not have guessed you grow under HID lights in a basement.

    Nice growing.

    Cheers,
    BD

  5. #5
    Real Name
    Tom
    Favorite Orchid(s)
    Almost all species...
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Right Coast, U.S.A
    Posts
    2,631
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    Default

    Growing under HID light(no experience with other kind of artificial light) is economical and low maintenance(equipments). The light system(one whole unit) is a combination of 250w of MH and 250W sodium. There is fresh air coming in from time to time through the air exchange system for the whole house.

    Each table is 6X8 feet, not including the hanging walls, and hanging basket at the edge...
    The table is cover with pond-liner, The potted plants are sitting on egg-crates. There is a drainage hole on the table to guide the waste water to the septic system.
    Because of the way I set up my hanging walls. I can hose down my mounted plants just like I used to do in the greenhouse without a big mess.

    Every basement has a different set of temperature and humidity depends on the location and size. I live by the bay and by the woods, the humidity is much higher naturally than most basements. I don't do any thing to maintain the humidity and it is naturally 65-85%for most of the time. Sometimes I have to turn on the dehumidifier to cut down the humidity level...

    Thank you all.
    Last edited by Tom-19951; September 12th, 2009 at 02:09 PM.

  6. #6
    Real Name
    Derek
    Favorite Orchid(s)
    Brassia!
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Dayton, OH
    Posts
    954
    Member's Country Flag

    Default

    Tom-- this grow area is just cool. It's interesting how you've made it so much easier on yourself to water. I have the "haul-it-all-to-the-sink-one-by-one" setup right now! The 800! orchids you have must be a happy bunch down there with all of the pics you've posted.
    Posted via Mobile Device

  7. #7
    Real Name
    Mary
    My Grow Area
    Greenhouse
    Favorite Orchid(s)
    Cattleya William Farrell
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Gender
    Female
    Location
    Gulf Coast
    Posts
    3,141
    Member's Country Flag

    Default

    Wow Tom that is absolutely a fantastic grow area. Thanks for sharing. I love those mounts, good job.

  8. #8
    My Grow Area
    Outside 24/7.
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Houston, Texas
    Posts
    1,236

    Default

    What a wonderful growing space! Everything is neatly organized.

  9. #9
    Real Name
    Satish
    My Grow Area
    Outside 24/7
    Favorite Orchid(s)
    Vanda, Dendrobium, Aerid, Phal
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Bangalore, India
    Posts
    904
    Member's Country Flag

    Default

    Wow! This is a very beautiful setup that you have got. I never thought for a while that you are having your plants in a basement under lights. We will be looking forward to your more recent pictures of your growing area. Great job!

  10. #10
    Real Name
    Tim
    My Grow Area
    Porch/Patio.
    Favorite Orchid(s)
    Paphiopedilums
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Sydney, Australia
    Posts
    5,480
    Member's Country Flag

    Default

    What an amazing uber-neat set-up! No wonder the plants are so happy, it looks like a wonderful place to live in... hmm.. might move in... hahahah...

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