Welcome to OrchidsForum.com. We are a friendly online community for Orchid Growers all over the world. If you haven't joined yet we invite you to register and join our community. Hope to see you on our forums!

The orchidarium project

Discussion in 'Growing Areas' started by Mike Leone, Sep 12, 2014.

  1. Mike Leone

    Mike Leone Acme Orchidarium Co. acmeorchidarium.com Forum Sponsor

    Messages:
    99
    Likes Received:
    102
    Location:
    Rockaway NJ
    The wood for the screen frames is cedar in the large orchidarium the back drop in the smaller one is carved and layered tree fern slabs. the coolers are built right into the back of the case, not visible on the naturalist set up.
     
    xmpraedicta likes this.
  2. xmpraedicta

    xmpraedicta Prairie angraecoid nut Supporting Member

    Messages:
    1,745
    Likes Received:
    591
    Location:
    Saskatoon, SK
    Thanks for the reply! Can you tell me more about how the cooler is built in - what kind do you use?
     
  3. cathy

    cathy Member

    Messages:
    37
    Likes Received:
    4
    Location:
    San Antonio, Texas
    Impressive to say the least. The photos are also impressive.
     
  4. Alexey

    Alexey Well-Known Member Supporting Member

    Messages:
    1,066
    Likes Received:
    289
    Location:
    Vancouver Island, BC
    Very neat and elegantly done naturalistic-display project! Wish I could have time and patience for something similar.
    Masdevallia hirtzii is my favourite and anyone who can keep Trisetella hoeijeri alive triggers question - how did you do it?!
     
  5. Mike Leone

    Mike Leone Acme Orchidarium Co. acmeorchidarium.com Forum Sponsor

    Messages:
    99
    Likes Received:
    102
    Location:
    Rockaway NJ
    Hi Alexey, I find it quite easy to grow and bloom, six open flowers this morning and several buds coming.
    I would attribute the consistent conditions afforded by the computer controlled environment.
     
  6. Skam.79

    Skam.79 New Member

    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Hello, I am going to make my first Orchidearium. I have a question for you :) What type of basis on the bottom of the terrarium should I use? I am not able to recognize on your photos, what type of basis did you use. Would you be so kind to tell me what basis should I use? And one more question: Do you have some system for drainig water from the bottom of the orchiearium or does the water evaporate? Thank you for you time! SKAM.79
     
  7. Dave The Scientist

    Dave The Scientist Active Member

    Messages:
    473
    Likes Received:
    77
    Location:
    Baltimore MD
    I used a 2inch layer of LECA with a mesh separator and then just planted on top of that
     
  8. Mike Leone

    Mike Leone Acme Orchidarium Co. acmeorchidarium.com Forum Sponsor

    Messages:
    99
    Likes Received:
    102
    Location:
    Rockaway NJ
    Hi,
    I the naturalistic orchidarium I am using about one inch of baked clay stones on top of a permeable fabric layer supported by a grid over a 2.5 inch deep reservoir of water. the reservoir supplies water to the evaporative cooler.
    and yes there is an over flow drain.

    The green house style orchidarium just has a plastic grid over the reservoir.

    good luck with your build and post pictures for us.

    Mike
     
  9. carolparente

    carolparente New Member

    Messages:
    13
    Likes Received:
    2
    Absolutely gorgeous!
     
  10. SilvrMike

    SilvrMike New Member

    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    3
    How is the evaporative cooling pad fed ? Looks like it’s above the Top water line of the reservoir. I see some plastic tube or dowel at the top of the pad holder
     
  11. Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

    Messages:
    1,831
    Likes Received:
    596
    Location:
    Oak Island NC
    You'll note Mike's last post was four years ago.

    His company is acmeorchidariums.com, so I'm sure you can reach him there.
     
    Marni likes this.
  12. Mike Leone

    Mike Leone Acme Orchidarium Co. acmeorchidarium.com Forum Sponsor

    Messages:
    99
    Likes Received:
    102
    Location:
    Rockaway NJ
    Hi Mike

    Sorry for my long absence from the forum and not getting back to your question.

    The cooling pads are fed by a drip tube hooked up to a very small submersible pump.

    My commercially available Orchidariums sold under the name Acme Orchidariums
    use a much simpler capillary feed to the cooling pads. works as well with out the need for the pump.
     
    weeand likes this.
  13. Dax

    Dax New Member

    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Hello, I am working on my first orchidarium and have been looking at controllers. I have been searching for the EcoZone but have had no luck in finding one. Does anyone know of a controller that is equivalent? Thank you for your time
     
  14. Kwabbernoot

    Kwabbernoot Member

    Messages:
    34
    Likes Received:
    63
    Location:
    Netherlands
    Maybe you can build your own? I use a Raspberry Pi 4 for my orchidarium.