I've been repotting lately and the mite damage to some of my phals is horrible. I've been using Liquid Ladybug which has worked great but I know my phals would prefer the correct humidity. I've been pondering purchasing this http://www.htgsupply.com/Product-Grow-T ... -Lined.asp
Any thoughts or advice will be appreciated.

maybe peter or mike and chime in here. i didn't buy the entire enclosure, just the large ebb/flow table, which i use during the winter in a small room. i used t5 lights and multiple small fans with it. if possible to grow your plants indoors, then you will have a lot less trouble with bugs, but you can get bacterial rot. hmm. if i have time soon, i will take some pics.

from what i remember, mike and peter didn't have their enclosures zipped up all the way as well.

Yeah, I thought about getting something similar, but found that it was much cheaper to just build the setup myself. I dont know if this is an option for you, but if so, you might want to consider it. It takes some time but the results are cheaper and you get some "work." My enclosure keeps the humidity in the high 60's.

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>> Jarad <<
You know it's a great forum when you search for "bellina" and it returns this from the server:
"The following words in your search query were ignored because they are too common words: bellina."

I was using this tent before my new greenhouse was built. I like this tent. It works great to keep plants in an enclosure. You can add light and fan. I have light on reverse schedule - so the light is turned on at night. Usually night is cooler - so I have less problem with additional heat added by artificial light.

You need tetrasan for spider mites. But you are also right that without adequate humidity, mites will return when it is hot and dry.

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Peter Lin, Admin
Big Leaf Orchids

Thanks for the input everyone!
My husband could build an enclosure but by the time he got around to it, it would be winter again.
I can't use chemicals in the house because of the parrots so I always look for the most non-toxic method of insect removal I can find. The Liquid Ladybug stuff worked remarkably well and helped save a lot of plants.
I think I will get this tent in a few weeks and move one of my grow shelves and T5 fixtures into it. I'm hoping to be able to squeeze a smaller shelf into it also. Peter did you use a humidifier in yours?

Thanks again!
Tess

Yes, I did get a small humidifier for this tent.


Peter Lin

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Peter Lin, Admin
Big Leaf Orchids

Tess, I typed in a long winded response last night. I now see it never got sent or I never hit enter. uhg. I used to grow in one of these, but did NOT have it ever zipped up. I had an 8'x4' model, the Hydro-Hut Deluxe. I had ebb and flo benches about 11'x4', so it was hanging out the side. I was a big fan as this was really my only way to grow when I was in Charlotte.

I no longer grow in a tent, but really i've just taken this up a notch and did what you said your husband would never get around to doing. :-) I built a greenhouse, but I built it inside my garage. Hung a door on it, windows, etc. But, I am still growing under T5 lighting on ebb and flo tables/benches. This is awesome and is working out beautifully, althgouh no matter what any of us do, we're always prone to run out of space.

Think my question is where would you put this tent if you go this route?

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Celebrate diversity, love your friends & family, and grow great orchids!

Your long winded responses are usually a plethora of information!! I'm sorry it didn't post.
I'm going to put it on the unfinished side of the basement. I already have 2 full, 2 tiered carts and 2 orchidariums on the finished side.....along with a cockatoo, big screen TV, pinball machine, sofa etc etc. it's getting a bit crowded. Plus I want something where I can control the temp and humidity better, especially for my high end Phals.
Would you post some pics of your garage greenhouse? It might provide some inspiration.
PS Hubby is not going to give up his garage for a greenhouse.

Thanks!!!