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| High shelves | Rods | Hangers | Stepshelves |
These higher-level shelves were an attempt both at getting more space and raising the bulbophyllums and phals up to warmer locations as well as providing more light for the bulbos. I'd like less light for the phals but for now at least they're up off the floor for the winter. The further set of high shelves hold oncidium-group and catasetums up to more light. The sink and the 150-gallon tank can be seen in the bottom left corner.
The hanging plants are a new development for me as they aren't feasible in growrooms. The vandas are hung from galvanized electrical conduit suspended from the rafters on hooks. They were placed over the bromeliads while the other hanging plants, primarily laelias and some dendrobiums were placed over the end bench. A misting system will be placed over the vandas and the bromeliads not only won't suffer form it but will love it, and the vandas will be warmer overe the broms trhan they would be at the end of the GH where the laelias are. The laelies are hung at the south end of the GH as it will be cooler there in the winter (farthest from the heat) and they don't require a misting system which would be a negative for the cattleyas beneath them. They not only won't mind being cooler byut will enjyo it, espoecially the rupicolous ones. They are hainging form the sidewalls and top panel of an old galvanized dog cage. suspenede on hooks form the rafters.
I am notr a big fan of stepped shelving for plants as it takes up more room, allows less flexibility in plant placement and can block light from lower plants. Here, however, there is no light to block coming out from the wall of the house, and the step-shelving allows for much better cultural access for the poescatorea-type plants and as well visibility for their flowers which grow from the bases of the plants. Bifrenarias are placed in front at the lowest level allowing them more light as they are clear of the shelf above.