An orchid display case?

[Waterlily]

Hello again all. I know Im still very new to this, but I have been admiring orchids for a long, long time. I only recently got the nerve (due to the "reputation" of orchids) to order my first orchids.

I know have 3 orchids. One is a lady's slipper. Its a light green color, almost lime but not as bright. The top part is white and green striped. Its so beautiful and I am such a sucker for green flowers!

The other two I have, I won from an ebay auction. One is a Phal (gold coin) and the other is a Dendrobium (Ammerron, I guess its called). The gold coin is a yellow color with some sort of pattern I suppose. It hasnt bloomed for me yet. The other one should have pinkish and green flowers (me and my green again!).

Anyhow, I tell you that so that you know what I have. I am still learning about the 3 I have right now, but I am absolutly positive I will add to my collection. I would like to build a display case for them, complete with proper lighting.

I would like to know if you have any suggestions for me on how to make this? I dont really know how large my plants will get over time. I was guessing Id probably only have room for two shelves, maybe 3 feet apart to allow for growth and a light? What kind of lighting would be best? I do not have a south facing window. I have houses on either side of me that blocks out most of the light that DOES ever get through my other windows, so it looks like unfortunalty Id have to rely a lot on artificial lighting. If you can suggest what kind of lights, and what kind of space I should allow for these plants (as well as any other suggestions or tips!) Id be most appreciative.

[Fabolusus]

Hi waterlilly! Welcome to the forum. First, tell us a little more. Do you want an enclosed display (vivarium type) or open? How much $ were you planning on spending? Exactly how much space do you have? What other orchids were you planning on buying? Thanx!

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Here is a commercial set up. Use 4 tubes for Cattleyas, Dendrobium, Vandas, and 2 for Phals.

[Waterlily]

Very nice! What are your plants sitting on? is that a ceiling grate? Do you use plant grow lights or regular flourescent?

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Yes, they are on ceiling grate material. This is not my set up, but one that belongs to another person. The commercial package came with some very expensive 'special' flourescents. Don't know more than that. The owner said that she used to keep water in the trays for humidity, but that the trays deteriorated from the water, and she had to order replacements, so she stopped that practice. I intend to make up a set of shelves like this from a Costco baker's rack, some lights using solid state electronics, more efficient, and bend up some galvanized sheeting for trays, with drains built into the pans to carry off the excess water to the outside world, so I can water the plants in place. Mine will go in my basement near the furnace where the temp and humidity are pretty nice year round. Expect the upper shelves to be pretty warm, and little computer fans should be used in some maner to keep air moving over the plants. I will probably also use plastic sheeting over the whole thing (assuming fans are in place) to try to keep the humidity from adding to the basement humidity (hubby is dead set against this idea because he is worried about additional humidity in the basement).

[Waterlily]

wow! That sounds like quite a project! I know those premade plant stands are INCREDIBLY expensive. Its ridiculous. I could make something myself for a fraction of the price that looks BETTER. Well....not me....exactly....more like, my husband. LOL. Im dangerous around power tools. Im not allowed to touch. haha.

I hope you are going to post pics when your lovely setup is finished!

[slippery_biscuit]

Since you are just starting and do not yet have many plants, Charlie's Greenhouse has a nice orchid display. It's 30" wide, 14" deep, and expands to 24" tall. Has lights, a water tray with a drain tube, all finished in black. It looks nice, good for any room in the house. I think it sells for about $230. I think all I used was a screwdriver to assemble it (yes I have one).

I like the commercial one also, from an earlier post, but wouldn't really want in the living room. I need one of those in my small greenhouse.

Jeff