From previous experience, light from the side is no big deal as long as it is not just from one side. With the light all around, like that, I shouldn't get too much phototropism. As for temps, the case is in my bathroom and that room is actually quite easy to regulate temps in, because it is small and my a/c apparently has a jet engine in it. If I set the thermostat in the hall at 70, the bathroom easily plunges to the 60's, when the a/c is blowing. I just keep the door closed so that the cool air is trapped. The lights, you will notice, are outside the plastic, which keeps the heat from the ballasts out of the interior (not that the flourescent lights have that much excess heat). There is an intake hole cut in the plastic just behind the humidifier, so that it is pulling in a/c air and then humidifying it. Again, helping to keep the temps down. The biggest trick is that the room itself is easy to keep cold. -Cj

Yeah, that big one is absolutely gorgeous. Wish I could've bought that one, but it wasn't for sale of course :( The one I bought is in a small clay pot (see pic above), and it has put on quite a few new leaves since I bought it. Actually, both that one and the variegated macrophylla have put on a lot of growth since I got them...the rigida I bought has done absolutely nothing! Macrophylla has grown a long new stem and about 4 new leaves...I just LOVE the leaf coloring on that one! Anyway, I was worried about the soil because it seems very peaty, but they clay pot seems to balance the moisture thing out. By the way, still no action on my serpens peduncles....how bout you Eddie? Marcy, I would have to agree that sigillatis seems to like dryer conditions, since I've been treating it like most of my thicker-leaved hoyas and it has been thriving. Gabi

The bottom is metal-lined? Hm. It was probably meant to hold soil? That could mean there is a drainage hole somewhere. If there isn't, you can cut a 2x4 to the appropriate height to support drilling a 1.5-inch hole from above; somewhere close to one of the corners so the cables can be neatly mounted there. That is the size I drill into things where I need to put a plug through. So instead of coming from the top, the cables would be dropping through the hole in the bottom. It would be out of sight and easy to seal later if you decide to do so. Then get a bunch of cable guides that stick on because masking tape leaves an ungodly mess and the screw-on type will leave screw holes. That wardian case totally triggered my inner tinkerer. It is a beautiful thing.

We have a traditional house. Here are some photos. We have just refinished floors, so most of tge mouldibg is out, except in the kitchen and foyer. The prior owner painted the moulding the same color as the walls, except in a different sheen. Now I am unsure if painting the moulding white is a good idea (will it make the room seem like it has lower ceilings?)