I have about 300 orchids, the majority of which grow semi-hydroponically. To this total add a few other other tropical plants -- quite an accomplishment given that I live in a town house. I like many other kinds of plants as well, but orchids keep crowding them out. After all, that succulent (or bromeliad or nepenthes or heliconia or hibiscus or ...) is taking up space that an orchid could occupy.
Living in a suburb of
Washington,
D.C., all tropical plants must be inside for at least the colder
months.
Half of my orchids stay inside all year. I've converted one
bedroom
into a pseudo greenhouse. All it took was: two HID lights;
four fluorescent lamps; two humidifiers; walls and ceiling completely
lined
with heavy duty plastic; two fans; an electrician to increase available
power; custom built drainage trays; oh yeah, plants. Easy!
The remainder of my plants grow wherever I can make space, and place
lights.
These less pampered plants go outside when the weather allows.