The Greenhouse Fun Begins

[Cjcorner]

Our temperatures in the fall can be challenging. When to put plants in can be vexing when one day is too cold and the next one isn't. Over the last few years of loading the orchids into the greenhouse, my arrangement skills are getting better. I have a new set of lace sheers to use for the "dappled" sun effect in areas that plants were burning from too much sun. Also, the new shelves I ordered had plastic liners that are slightly opaque, so I am laying those across top shelves to help keep the hottest afternoon sun from burning leaves. The white "panels" with small squares is actually a padding used under large rugs to keep them from moving. (I should be a picker...I can re-purpose just about anything)

Peeking in the front door...



For a change I sat the lattice work outside. If I need it when the cattleya section goes in I can move it easily. Also; I left small gaps in each area so more light would be able to come in.



I cut shade strips instead of leaving it as a whole panel so there is a little more light let in on the vandas Eastern wall.



As you walk in the main doorway, looking right you can see the two new sections designed for very tall plants that take lots of sunlight. That would be the southern facing wall.

[Cjcorner]

The vanda section has grown into the largest section in the greenhouse.









Once it gets a little colder at nights the cattleya will be coming in as well. I will be glad when the temps decide to stay cooler so I can keep them all inside. I've installed a sprinkler on the far end for the vandas this year as well. I can turn one handle and water them pretty well. I like to water the cattleya differently...but may get the drip irrigation going for that section this year instead of watering by hand. We shall see.
Time to go spray...I hope you all enjoyed the pictures.

[ORCHIDJOE]

Wish I had a greenhouse of this size but it would cost a fortune to heat during winter here in the U.K. Love it. The plants look in supurb condition.

[BigSteve]

Wish I had a greenhouse of this size but it would cost a fortune to heat during winter here in the U.K. Love it. The plants look in supurb condition.

My green house is empty during the winter , heating would be expensive , plus the light needs for quite a few would only be good enough to keep them alive.
Must be fantastic to walk into your green house during the "cooler" months(going to be below 30f this week in the UK)& get a little oasis of paradise.

[Chris1140]

Thanks for giving us a good look! Do you have to heat at all in the winter?

[Mararda]

The vandaceous orchid in the top photograph, and top right looks rather yellow.

[Cjcorner]

Thanks for giving us a good look! Do you have to heat at all in the winter?

Yes. I have a small heater to keep temps at least 68 F. It doesn't take much to heat the roughly 12 x 14 ft. greenhouse since our winters doing usually go below 40 F at night.

---------- Post Merged at 05:18 PM ----------

The vandaceous orchid in the top photograph, and top right looks rather yellow.

That particular plant takes very high sun levels. No matter where I put it, the thing ends up sticking part of it's crown out into full sun somehow. I know it looks rough but it's in spike right now and actually very happy. I have a ton of plants that are very pale green or yellow. I keep my plants on the extreme high end of their sun tolerance. For me I don't worry if the leaves have some sun burn, spots or look yellow...I grow outside most of the year and so they often look like this. I was told many years back that pretty green orchids don't bloom, or don't bloom well. For me it is true. If I put in the a/c units and misting units and kept the plants in the greenhouse they might be prettier...but I prefer to keep them outdoors as much as possible. I don't generally get mine judged or cross them, so their appearance is only a cosmetic thing. And i'm sure you aren't as familiar with me as some of the older members. I haven't been around a lot since my hip surgery in January. I'm a vanda nut, have a hundred and a half or so of them so far. They used to give me a ton of trouble until a couple years ago when I began a new spraying regimen. Nowadays I have a few that could win awards. Maybe someday I'll enter a few.

[stateless]

I see you're using Luminet for shade cloth, I had some extra last winter and used it as a blanket over some orchids when I felt too lazy to move them and it worked great, looks like you got the situation covered, I'm hoping for a mild winter, fingers crossed.

[gardenguysorchids]

Connie thanks for all the information you share with us. I have learned so much from reading your posts. You may not be on here to win a popularity contest but like it or not you are a real winner . Your love for orchids and for helping the members here in our orchid community is unsurpassed and your humility shines with every comment/post.

[gardenguysorchids]

Connie I forgot to mention how great your greenhouse and plants look. We have enjoyed a very late autumn here and I just brought all my orchids in this week. The temps were finally getting below 55 and now we have had frosts the last few evenings. I still have my 12 cymbidiums outdoors but that will probably
End next week and they will join the other 150 plus orchids in the basement. Sure wish I had a greenhouse like yours.
I, like you have lost the show my plants bug. I am now just growing them for me and my enjoyment. I haven't posted much on here due to time and being too lazy to up-load the pics . I have noticed a lot of regulars absent from the forum but am happy to see new orchid lovers joining. Like you , I follow the great advice that a beautiful plant rarely blooms well. It seems the tougher an orchid is treated or the more it is neglected the more blooms I am rewarded with. Again thanks for sharing your plants in there lovely winter home with us.