http://www.charleysgreenhouse.com/
Larry, the heating cables are a electric wire looking & run in a
circular fashion so I tied mine with wire to my bench.
Upon reading further you may want to construct some type of
protection cover that you can remove when the temps warm up.
--
Cheers Wendy
Remove PETERPAN for email reply
Larry wrote:
Thanks for all the suggestions. You bring up a good point regarding
blooming cycle that I had not thought of.
I am not familiar with heating cables as suggested by Wendy. Do I
lay them on the shelf trays? If not how are they used? Neither EFG
or OFE seem to have them on their web site. Do you have a URL for
Charley's?
Also, the shelving is located in a screened-in porch. I am afraid a
radiant heater would not work well because all the heat would be lost
through the screens. How could I direct the heat from a radiant
space heater into the shelving?
Thanks again,
Larry
"Kenni Judd" wrote in message
...
Hi, Larry: Look for a "radiant" space heater [one that will not
cause a fire if tipped over]. We got ours at one of the big-box
stores [Brandsmart
or the like]. Or, there is a heating grid that will fit one of the
small propane tanks regularly used for gas grills -- but that needs
to be braced so that it cannot tip over.
55F is what we heat to for a mixed inventory of Catts, Dens, Oncids,
Phals and Vandas. The mature Catts and Oncids would easily tolerate
cooler temps
[some would appreciate them], but with one house, we have to heat
for the most sensitive.
Do also keep in mind that using lights for heat at night may disrupt
the blooming cycle for many of your plants.
Wendy: OFG? That's a new one to me; EFG is in Deland [not
god-awful far from Jax], and does handle some supplies, but I
suspect you mean OFE in Miami [a _long_ day's drive from Jax --
one-way]? If not, please clue me in.
--
Kenni Judd
Juno Beach Orchids
http://www.jborchids.com
"wendy7" wrote in message
news:nZ0wd.6829$2r.4614@fed1read02...
Hi Larry, Since it doesn't stay cold for long in your area, then
you might get by using heating cables. They come with a thermostat
& you could put them on a timer.
I think Charley's sells them & then you have OFG in your neck of
the woods.
--
Cheers Wendy
Remove PETERPAN for email reply
Larry wrote:
Hello. In the summer most of my orchids are outside in the
screened-in porch or hanging outside in trees. In the past I have
moved the plants indoors during the colder days. However, this
year I bought lighted shelving so they can be kept warmer outside.
I also purchased a vinyl tent that covers the whole unit.
Question: I live in Jacksonville, FL, and it does get cold at
night during the winters (for example, down to mid-upper 20s
tonight/now). But, I don't think the current lights are not
keeping the plants warm enough as it gets that cold. The shelving
has 3 light fixtures (1 per shelve), using two, 40-watt wide
spectrum lamps per fixture (go to
http://www.indoorgardensupplies.com, click on flora-carts, combo
BA3-SE2 at the bottom). Any suggestions on how to keep them warmer
within the shelving
unit I already have? Different bulbs?
What is the minimum temperature I should aim for? I remember
hearing 55 degrees at one point but am not sure if this is true. I
have several different orchid varieties.
Thanks in advance!
Larry
laf_at_lwpes_dot_org