The Orchid Garden

Orchidarium

Question:

    Has anyone out there purchased a Wardian case called the Orchidarium? I am planning to purchase one of the large models for orchids and insectivorous plants but as they are pricey I liked to hear from anyone who owns one.     Thanks,   Glenn

Response:

Glenn – I haven’t tried one of these myself, but a couple of my friends have (both experienced orchid hobbyists) and they both had similar experiences with them.  Orchids can grow very well in them, but they found that the temperature inside the Orchidarium with the lights on would always be at least 10-15 degrees (F) higher than the room temperature.  Increasing the ventilation could make that a little better, but would also lower the humidity.  If you can keep the Orchidarium in a cool place (normal room temperature of 70-75 degrees) it is great for warm-growing orchids, but be careful not to let it get too dry inside. Kirk Z Madison, Wisconsin, USA – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –    Has anyone out there purchased a Wardian case called the Orchidarium? I am planning to purchase one of the large models for orchids and insectivorous plants but as they are pricey I liked to hear from anyone who owns one.    Thanks,  Glenn

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Was that the warm ballast models?  I’m thinking of getting one too but I saw that you could choose warm ballast (raises temperatures about 10-15F above ambient) as well as cool (raises temperatures about 0-5F).  Hmm… K One inexpensive way to reduce the temperature in an orchidarium is to freeze liter or half liter bottles of water then place them in the bottom of the Orchidarium. I usually use 6 to 8 bottles a night to get a 15 degree day/night differential in temperature. I grow mostly Pleurothallids in mine. I have really been pleased with the performance of both insectivorous plants (Pinguiculas) and orchids in this case. Jon Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA

Jon, Would placing the bottles on top accomplish the same thing? Cold air sinks….having never had a wardian case or Orchidarium, I’m genuinely curious. How about those gel "freezer bags"? Thanks -Rod- Rod & Susan Venger, Venger’s Orchids http://www.vengers.com/ Our IRC (Chat info) http://www.vengers.com/page.htm

Response:

There’s really no place to put them on top near the lights. I put the bottles underneath the shelf and let the fan circulate the air around the Orchidarium. Jon – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Jon, Would placing the bottles on top accomplish the same thing? Cold air sinks….having never had a wardian case or Orchidarium, I’m genuinely curious. How about those gel "freezer bags"? Thanks -Rod- Rod & Susan Venger, Venger’s Orchids http://www.vengers.com/ Our IRC (Chat info) http://www.vengers.com/page.htm

Response:

Was that the warm ballast models?  I’m thinking of getting one too but I saw that you could choose warm ballast (raises temperatures about 10-15F above ambient) as well as cool (raises temperatures about 0-5F).  Hmm… K

One inexpensive way to reduce the temperature in an orchidarium is to freeze liter or half liter bottles of water then place them in the bottom of the Orchidarium. I usually use 6 to 8 bottles a night to get a 15 degree day/night differential in temperature. I grow mostly Pleurothallids in mine. I have really been pleased with the performance of both insectivorous plants (Pinguiculas) and orchids in this case. Jon Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA

Response:

Has anyone out there purchased a Wardian case called the Orchidarium? I am planning to purchase one of the large models for orchids and insectivorous plants but as they are pricey I liked to hear from anyone who owns one.

Hi Glenn, Rick Jacobs started the company a few years ago and after going through several proto-types, has come out with some great  Wardian cases.  He’s a personal friend of ours here in Minnesota and a shameless plug for the product is from an objective viewpoint.   I know of several persons who have 2 Orchidariums and one person who has FIVE. The woman grows mostly miniatures and every time she shows up at the Orchid Society meetings to put plants up for table judging, there are ribbons galore.  The units now have the ability to come with a small micro-fogger unit or a typr of cooling unit. Not familiar with the details though. FWIW Jimm Roberts Roberts Orchids Minnesota – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Was that the warm ballast models?  I’m thinking of getting one too but I saw that you could choose warm ballast (raises temperatures about 10-15F above ambient) as well as cool (raises temperatures about 0-5F).  Hmm… K – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Glenn – I haven’t tried one of these myself, but a couple of my friends have (both experienced orchid hobbyists) and they both had similar experiences with them.  Orchids can grow very well in them, but they found that the temperature inside the Orchidarium with the lights on would always be at least 10-15 degrees (F) higher than the room temperature.  Increasing the ventilation could make that a little better, but would also lower the humidity.  If you can keep the Orchidarium in a cool place (normal room temperature of 70-75 degrees) it is great for warm-growing orchids, but be careful not to let it get too dry inside. Kirk Z Madison, Wisconsin, USA    Has anyone out there purchased a Wardian case called the Orchidarium? I am planning to purchase one of the large models for orchids and insectivorous plants but as they are pricey I liked to hear from anyone who owns one.    Thanks,  Glenn

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ken, i’m sorry i don’t have answers to your questions.  instead i have more questions, as i’ve been thinking about building an orchidarium myself: 1.  what materials are you planning on using?  glass, plexi? 2.  are you creating a frame for it? 3.  are you putting hinged doors on it? have you been to www.orchidarium.com?  they have supplies which you might include in your own orchidarium:  humidifier, fogger, sponges, etc. good luck. chris I’m in the process of building an orchidarium.  I’m basically building a 3 foot wide by 2 feet deep by 48 inch high case.  I have some spar 96 watt power  pc tubes and was thinking about using 2 of them in the system.  Would this provide too much light?  (the combined bulbs are rated at about 7000 lumens (or foot candles for those who prefer)). Also, what is a good way of providing humidity.  I was thinking of using 2 sponges.   Finally, I plan on putting in an 85 cfm fan in the case to provide circulation.  Would this be sufficient air movement? Thanks in advance, Ken

I’m using cedar as the frame for the case (won’t rot!).  It will have a hinged front door.  I’ll use a magnet latch and probably put felt around the opening to seal it better.  I’m also using plexiglass(acrylic), this stuff is light, cheap and won’t yellow, though you have to be careful because it will scratch.  It will be plexiglassed all the way around and bottom.   The top will be a cedar hood with the light fixture and fan. Yes , I have been at www.orchidarium.com, that’s why I’m building it my self.  A 3 foot unit from them would go for more than what I want to pay.  With the pc ballast for the lights, I’m looking at at the tops, 300 dollars to build (not including the lights, I’ve have plenty of used lights from my mini-reef aquarium).

Response:

One way to create humidity in a smaller system is to drop a bubblier stone from an aquarium into a container of water. This water has to be changed often because you will find the salts will build up quickly. In the 70’s we built a case and on the front put in sliding glass doors. To reduce the loss of light we put the reflective film on the glass that some people use for windows or vans. We had plastic coated walls using the available "bathtub surround" paneling. It is basically a case of think outside of the box. I have heard here of some gutter installed in basement rooms to collect and route the overflow from generous watering. I have seen the big aquarium hose used to drain from one tray to the next to the bottom bucket in a light cart. Have fun. SuE – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ken, i’m sorry i don’t have answers to your questions.  instead i have more questions, as i’ve been thinking about building an orchidarium myself: 1.  what materials are you planning on using?  glass, plexi? 2.  are you creating a frame for it? 3.  are you putting hinged doors on it? have you been to www.orchidarium.com?  they have supplies which you might include in your own orchidarium:  humidifier, fogger, sponges, etc. good luck. chris I’m in the process of building an orchidarium.  I’m basically building a 3 foot wide by 2 feet deep by 48 inch high case.  I have some spar 96 watt power  pc tubes and was thinking about using 2 of them in the system.  Would this provide too much light?  (the combined bulbs are rated at about 7000 lumens (or foot candles for those who prefer)). Also, what is a good way of providing humidity.  I was thinking of using 2 sponges.   Finally, I plan on putting in an 85 cfm fan in the case to provide circulation.  Would this be sufficient air movement? Thanks in advance, Ken

Response:

ken, i’m sorry i don’t have answers to your questions.  instead i have more questions, as i’ve been thinking about building an orchidarium myself: 1.  what materials are you planning on using?  glass, plexi? 2.  are you creating a frame for it? 3.  are you putting hinged doors on it? have you been to www.orchidarium.com?  they have supplies which you might include in your own orchidarium:  humidifier, fogger, sponges, etc. good luck. chris – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m in the process of building an orchidarium.  I’m basically building a 3 foot wide by 2 feet deep by 48 inch high case.  I have some spar 96 watt power  pc tubes and was thinking about using 2 of them in the system.  Would this provide too much light?  (the combined bulbs are rated at about 7000 lumens (or foot candles for those who prefer)). Also, what is a good way of providing humidity.  I was thinking of using 2 sponges.   Finally, I plan on putting in an 85 cfm fan in the case to provide circulation.  Would this be sufficient air movement? Thanks in advance, Ken

Response:

I’m in the process of building an orchidarium.  I’m basically building a 3 foot wide by 2 feet deep by 48 inch high case.  I have some spar 96 watt power  pc tubes and was thinking about using 2 of them in the system.  Would this provide too much light?  (the combined bulbs are rated at about 7000 lumens (or foot candles for those who prefer)).   Also, what is a good way of providing humidity.  I was thinking of using 2 sponges.   Finally, I plan on putting in an 85 cfm fan in the case to provide circulation.  Would this be sufficient air movement? Thanks in advance, Ken

Response:

Filed under: Growing Orchids

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