Next Orchid Shelf Project

[cindiras]

The night temperatures are down in the low 40's (farenheit) so I really need to get all but the cymbidiums brought indoors for the winter. First, I need to build some shelves. That means clearing some space in the warmer part of the basement, DE-constructing a couple of wire shelf units, then RE-constructing them into a triple shelf unit. I am thinking of making it in an "L" shape. I will take more photos as I go, but this is what I am starting with.... with my budgies overseeing the project!

[bench72]

Actually those shelves would be great.. they allow some airflow under the pots and being metal, should be sturdy enough... is there a drain in the basement? Would you be able to just water the plants on the shelves and let the water run off to the drain?

I like budgies.. but at the same time they scare me

[orchidgirl]

I love your birds.....so colorful and cheerful!

[Lambert]

Bringing the orchids back in the Fall always comes with some rethinking of the growing space. The shelves should be just perfect

I like budgies.. but at the same time they scare me

I feel the same way. The smarter the birds, the more interesting they are and the "scarier" they become

[Halloamey]

Love the budgies !

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Let us know how it goes.

Cheers,
BD

[cindiras]

Well, the below freezing weather this week forced me to get plants in befor the shelves were done. Make that -befor the shelves were barely started. I guess that just made it easier to see how high to place some of the shelves. I still need to add lights, then the orchids are going to be sorted and placed- cool growers setting on the concrete floor, intermediates on shelves where the lights below can warm them a bit, warm growers on the upper shelves because heat rises. Here's how it looks without the lights...
Right now orchids are set wherever I have room. The inside corner of the L shaped shelves has no pole. The corner of the shelf just rests on the shelf below it. Sometimes.
The birds are carefully monitering construction...and chirping loud comments all the while!
The lowest growing sections are (left to right) 32 inches, 26 inches, 36 inches. The 32 and 36 inch areas will have plants set directly on the concrete floor. The center shelf areas are 24 inches, except the far right end which is 32 inches. The north and center shelf have one more section with a height of 18 inches. I am going to put lower light plants like phals in front of the only window and on the top of the center section.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

WOW - that is a complex setup! Nice going!

Cheers,
BD

[cindiras]

Wheee! I finally got all the orchids sorted and shelved. Looks like I may have room for one or two more to tuck in here or there!

[cindiras]

One last photo of the whole arrangement.

The top shelves are for warmer loving plants (heat rises). The center shelves are for intermediate to warm growers with one lower light shelf, one high intendity T8 shelf. The bottom shelves/floor are for cool to intermediate growers. The south (right side) section has cyms on the floor and most of my intergeneric oncids above.