need input on my new orchid set up!

[evArgreen78]

I am quickly accumulating orchids and have moved beyond just rescuing phals ---- vendor information removed -see faqs on posting----. I bought a metal rack shelf to put in my slider door window, thinking they would all co-habitate happily. The phals seem to be happy anywhere I put them, but I now have about 5 catts. an encyclia tampensis, miltassia shelob tolkien, oncostele wildcat (none are in bloom/spike) and just yesterday purchased (flowering) dyakia hendersoniana and habenaria rhodochiela.

Back when I started purchasing non-phal orchids I also created a mini-greenhouse set up on the metal rack. I live in Western NY so I have no hopes of putting anyone outside, ever. This set-up consisted of a mini greenhouse, glass sides and closing top, a bottom tray with large pebbles (used as a humidity tray) and a gro-light (approx. 6 inches above the plants).

After reading a little bit today, and being strongly motivated to not kill my two newest, flowering babies, I kicked all the phals to the second tier and put all the other orchids in the "greenhouse". I have attached the photos and hope to get some feedback. I am feeling overwhelmed and conflicted on what orchids need what environments. My next purchase will be an actual indoor greenhouse that I can put more lights/fans in and monitor humidity... Until then I want to keep all these ones content As you can see its getting pretty crowded in there so I want to make sure everyone that NEEDS to be in there is.

[78Terp]

I like the dyakia hendersoniana!
Here is a link to an excellent species orchid website for this species orchid. It is great for most that you may consider buying in the future. I use it daily!
IOSPE PHOTOS

How much light is on your set up? You may need more for your catts to bloom.

[raybark]

Harvey beat me to the punch – Jay Pfahl's website is an excellent resource.

I must also comment that that grow light of yours looks to be fairly ineffective. I can't tell from the photo, but it appears to be a CFL in a reflector. Unless it is 150 W or so, from that distance it is just not providing enough light.

[evArgreen78]

Thank you! For lighting I just bought a 75W Spot-Gro plant bulb from my local hardware store. It's in a mountable clamp light, about 6 inches above the greenhouse. This is also in a window that has an outdoor awning so it gets good, indirect light during the day. Do you think I need more for the catts? I plan on upgrading this whole set-up in a few weeks, mainly because I have no room left in this spot, but I also know it's not the best set-up for these plants.

[evArgreen78]

Harvey beat me to the punch – Jay Pfahl's website is an excellent resource.

I must also comment that that grow light of yours looks to be fairly ineffective. I can't tell from the photo, but it appears to be a CFL in a reflector. Unless it is 150 W or so, from that distance it is just not providing enough light.

Thanks for the feedback! It's only a 75W bulb, so I guess that makes sense that the Phals liked it and were not getting burnt (I do not leave it on continually, but turn on/off after about 12 hours). My plan is to get a semi-walk in greenhouse off a large online vendor site and place it in this window. Upgrade the lighting and get actual humidity trays. From what I've read I also would need a small fan to circulate the air and as a bonus get a monitor for temp & humidity. Maybe even a light timer... Seems like I'm just really a beginner with this lighting though. Needs to be at least 150W and within 6 inches of plants? Thanks again!!!