My post-vacation "growing area"

[mauraec]

This what I'm facing now that I'm home from Maine: 1) it's too cold to put my orchids outside; 2) I actually ADDED 14 orchids on my trip, and 4) I'm so overwhelmed by sorting all this out and getting all the plants to where they like to be that I'm contemplating having an exotic plant extravaganza sidewalk sale this weekend!











And, believe it or not, I've already worked on organizing this for 18 hours! Someone or something has got to go: more furniture? plants? people?

Seriously, I'm stalled on the novice learning curve around where you want almost every orchid you see, and if I don't figure out how to start a culling and selecting process SOON, the tv is going....the other couch is going.... the other occupant here is going....

Any advice on how to tackle narrowing down my orchid collecting? Hmmm.....that learning curve is starting to slope back downwards....

I THINK I'm glad to be home finally, y'all, but I'm having anxiety attacks about how to do all this before my husband trips over a box and breaks a hip!

"Helllppp....(gasp, gasp)"

Maura, drowning in orchids in the middle of the night....

[cdayinflorida]

WOW! on your photo.

What grows best in indoors for you? What gives the most impact with the least amount of space? Are you looking for one bloom a year or something that blooms several times a year.

And there are houses for sale in my neighborhood with screened porches

[Khayael]

OMG!
And I 'ONLY' have fortyish orchids!!
I definitely have to start convincing myself that I want to keep my furniture, the tv and my dogs!!! the other plants can go though... LOL
Now, I can also talk the husband into getting rid of all the junk in the house!

[kiwiorchids]

hahahaha! Mum would freak even further than she already does if i did this! Woah! Honestly, this is what i would LOVE my bedroom to look like!

[paphioboy]

Seriously, how do you water? Lol

[gardenguysorchids]

OK? Address please and time of sale? LOL I see a large window/sliding door?---Great area for plant shelves that would hold many of your collection. I also see empty shelf and wall space for more shelves. Add a few grow/plant lights and you could have a very romantic tropical look. There is always a way when it comes to orchids. Believe me I know--I am become very creative with my basement grow space. Good Luck! Your plants look great!!!!!

[Brutal_Dreamer]

I think Bill hit the idea square on - in front of that window/ door, it is time to put in some shelves. Some rolling racks or rolling carts would be helpful too - makes taking plants to the kitchen or bath for watering much easier. What a wonderful 'problem' to have.

[Daethen]

I have to agree with the above. You have shelves with bare spots. You have a great window/door. Get a few grow lights, a couple more shelves and a fan. Put everything at one end of the room, place the shelves and start the placement process. Look around the house and see where else they would like to live/sit/hang. You can do this.

[Teena]

Maura - I have to agree, there's a lot of vertical space there going unused, could be elegantly filled with orchids. It's your choice as to the design/functionality of using that space. As suggested you can get those industrial looking metal shelving units, you know the shiney, chrome finished type, that can have wheels on them. Wheels are useful for moving the whole unit for watering and indoors, outdoors every year. There are other options for something that is more "designed" if you want to spend the money. I know that apartment dwelling is tough in terms of how many holes you can drill in the walls/ceilings without penalty from the landlord. I'll pm you with some things I've seen recently. I have a lot of time on my hands at the moment with the shoulder surgery recovery and being bored to tears housebound I've spent a lot of time cruising the web. But right now the washing machine repair man is on the way, whoopee, company!!!

martha

[pavel]

My, my, my. You have been a busy girl, haven't you.

First ... how cold is "too cold"?

Second, as has already been pointed out, shelving and plant lights would solve most if not all of your problem. You just have to decide whether to go ultra cheap and strictly functional or spending a bit more for a more attractive set up.