I was just reading the thread about Frysters cool new grow rack:
http://www.terraforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=108367
and it got me to thinking about something that has been in the back of my mind for many years..
A co-worker of mine is a houseplant fanatic..bonsai, orchids, rare troical plants of all kinds..
he has a big giant grow light suspended from his basement ceiling, shining on plants sitting on the floor, enclosed in a big reflective mylar "tent"!
the plants are awesome! but I really dont care for the "display" they are growing in..
this, and the post on grow-racks, got me thinking again on this topic of "display vs. growing conditions"
I have nothing against grow racks! I think they can be very cool and allow you to grow a lot of plants you could not grow otherwise..and they provide an excellent environment for many plants that is much better than the growing environment they would have *without* the grow rack..(like just on a windowsill for example.)
but....
I would never want to have a grow rack!
why??
because I think they are ugly, expensive (for construction and electricity) and they hide the plants away from view!
you have to open it up just to see and enjoy your plants..
sort of like having an aquarium that is all covered up.
I would actually prefer to simply NOT have certain plants, instead of having the plants if they need a grow rack...even if said plants would be very cool to have!
I want my plant displays to "look nice"! I want my plant displays to be aesthetically pleasing..I grow VFT's and Sarrs outdoors in mini-bogs on my deck..they look nice all summer, and are very low-maintenance. The only "work" they make me do is collecting rain water for them, and spending a few hours putting them away for dormancy every autumn..other than that, they go happlily on their way with very little fussing on my part.
Looks nice + Low maintenance = what I want.
even if that decision results in LESS cool plants that I can have and grow.
I am willng to give up the "more cool plants"..
as opposed to:
Grow rack,
which looks bad (IMO) + more work and maintenance = not what I want.
even though having a grow rack would result in MORE cool plants I could have!
I prefer to forego certain plants for the sake of aesthetics and low-maintenance!
I hear many of you saying "are you NUTS?! having the cool plants is SOOO much better"!
and thats fine!
Im not at all implying its in any way BAD to have a grow rack!
to each their own..there is planty of variation in this hobby, and thats all good.
Im only saying its "not for me"..
and yes..I am a little jealous of the cool plants a grow rack allows others to keep!
but even still..not for me.
So im curious..how many people would choose either:
a. Pro Grow-rack, because having the plants is cooler than the work it requires or the "look" or the expense..its all about the cool plants!
b. no Grow-Rack, because dont want the look or the work or the expense, and can accept less cool plants as a result.
thanks,
Scot
http://www.terraforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=108367
and it got me to thinking about something that has been in the back of my mind for many years..
A co-worker of mine is a houseplant fanatic..bonsai, orchids, rare troical plants of all kinds..
he has a big giant grow light suspended from his basement ceiling, shining on plants sitting on the floor, enclosed in a big reflective mylar "tent"!
the plants are awesome! but I really dont care for the "display" they are growing in..
this, and the post on grow-racks, got me thinking again on this topic of "display vs. growing conditions"
I have nothing against grow racks! I think they can be very cool and allow you to grow a lot of plants you could not grow otherwise..and they provide an excellent environment for many plants that is much better than the growing environment they would have *without* the grow rack..(like just on a windowsill for example.)
but....
I would never want to have a grow rack!
why??
because I think they are ugly, expensive (for construction and electricity) and they hide the plants away from view!
you have to open it up just to see and enjoy your plants..
sort of like having an aquarium that is all covered up.
I would actually prefer to simply NOT have certain plants, instead of having the plants if they need a grow rack...even if said plants would be very cool to have!
I want my plant displays to "look nice"! I want my plant displays to be aesthetically pleasing..I grow VFT's and Sarrs outdoors in mini-bogs on my deck..they look nice all summer, and are very low-maintenance. The only "work" they make me do is collecting rain water for them, and spending a few hours putting them away for dormancy every autumn..other than that, they go happlily on their way with very little fussing on my part.
Looks nice + Low maintenance = what I want.
even if that decision results in LESS cool plants that I can have and grow.
I am willng to give up the "more cool plants"..
as opposed to:
Grow rack,
which looks bad (IMO) + more work and maintenance = not what I want.
even though having a grow rack would result in MORE cool plants I could have!
I prefer to forego certain plants for the sake of aesthetics and low-maintenance!
I hear many of you saying "are you NUTS?! having the cool plants is SOOO much better"!
and thats fine!
Im not at all implying its in any way BAD to have a grow rack!
to each their own..there is planty of variation in this hobby, and thats all good.
Im only saying its "not for me"..
and yes..I am a little jealous of the cool plants a grow rack allows others to keep!
but even still..not for me.
So im curious..how many people would choose either:
a. Pro Grow-rack, because having the plants is cooler than the work it requires or the "look" or the expense..its all about the cool plants!
b. no Grow-Rack, because dont want the look or the work or the expense, and can accept less cool plants as a result.
thanks,
Scot