Warning; Lots of Whining!

[Dorothy]

DebS now that you have found the problem, you will rectify the situation and your plants will be in full bloom in no time
Now change that whine to wine .. a glass will do you good

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Dorothy

.. a glass will do you good

Red wine is supposed to be good for you (wouldn't know)

[goodgollymissmolly]

:.....that makes total sense since the so-called high-efficiency furnaces do essencially the same thing. Why can't greenhouse heaters do the same?...."

Yes, they do , Ross. Mine is a greenhouse heater. The powered vent models really don't cost much more than the non-powered. They just have a small blower in the vent line that is included in the control logic so that it vents any unburned fuel or burned flue gas. Glad I went that way.

Jim

[DebsC]

Originally Posted by Dorothy

DebS now that you have found the problem, you will rectify the situation and your plants will be in full bloom in no time
Now change that whine to wine .. a glass will do you good

Do you think a rum and coke would do the same thing?

[Dorothy]

Whatever your pleasure

[Bradfo69]

oops

[Bradfo69]

I'm feeling your pain! And looking for a place to whine as well. I've got a (possible) similar situation that just makes you want to sit down in the greenhouse and bawl.

I don't know the cause - could be a brand new propane set up, could be too early removal of the shade cloth, could be a couple hours at 47 degrees before I got home to turn on the heat, could be the natural onset of winter but everything is begining to look sickly - and I've just added several hundred dollars worth of new plants. Funny thing is the few plants in flower have remained in flower. All else being equal - I think I've gassed the greenhouse with too much propane.

Symptom is that an awful lot of stuff has turned bright yellow, particularly oncidium types. Most of the yellowing has begun in older leaves which gives me hope. For most it's beginning with yellow streaks lengthwise in the middle of the leaves.

I've always grown under lights but got a greenhouse this summer and am learning a whole new method of culture and the associated crap to worry about. I go from ecstatic about how well everything is doing to being ready to sell everything and take up sex or something as a hobby instead. Aaarrgghh....

[DebsC]

Originally Posted by Bradfo69

I'm feeling your pain! And looking for a place to whine as well. I've got a (possible) similar situation that just makes you want to sit down in the greenhouse and bawl.

I don't know the cause - could be a brand new propane set up, could be too early removal of the shade cloth, could be a couple hours at 47 degrees before I got home to turn on the heat, could be the natural onset of winter but everything is beginning to look sickly - and I've just added several hundred dollars worth of new plants. Funny thing is the few plants in flower have remained in flower. All else being equal - I think I've gassed the greenhouse with too much propane.

Symptom is that an awful lot of stuff has turned bright yellow, particularly oncidium types. Most of the yellowing has begun in older leaves which gives me hope. For most it's beginning with yellow streaks lengthwise in the middle of the leaves.

I've always grown under lights but got a greenhouse this summer and am learning a whole new method of culture and the associated crap to worry about. I go from ecstatic about how well everything is doing to being ready to sell everything and take up sex or something as a hobby instead. Aaarrgghh....

I understand each and every statement you've made here so well that I'm convinced we're conjoined twins!!!

This is my second winter in the greenhouse and it's starting out much like the first...not so good.

I'm so very familiar with the yellow leaves, running lengthwise yellow streaks ect ect ect. The oncidiums do seem to be more sensitive.

The healthy glow the orchids acquired over the summer.....gone in a heart beat! I go from euphoric to tears faster than Jeff Gordon can circle a race track. I may need medical intervention to calm my nerves.

And this hobby is...what? suppose to be fun? Relaxing? Rewarding?

Okay, enough!!! This is my suspicions. Small amounts of propane seem to wilt the flowers and cold turns the leaves yellow, especially if the roots are wet as in just watered. However, I'm sure enough cold or ethylene could do either or both!

VIVIANO Flower Shop :: Flower Care

Solution? I wish I could afford a new stove with a power vent but not this year, I'm afraid. I am having the stove serviced and the vent checked ect.

Paying more attention to watering habits, the temperature of the water I'm using and particular attention to anything that remotely resembles bacterial rot. That's all I can do for now.

I guess I'll continue to fight this battle as I really don't think sex as a hobby is my particular calling!

[Bradfo69]

Rewarding...relaxing... sheesh! I know, I know! I think it's all about ego and wanting to show off what a wonderful job you did blooming a plant and getting the ooo's and ahh's from other society members - that and an addiction that could probably have a Jelinik Curve designed for it just like alcoholism.

I'm leaning towards the propane instead of the cold. The further away from the heater, the less yellowing took place although that could be genera specific. The only good thing is when I seriously looked this morning, the yellowing seems to be confined to older growths. The new growths are still all green. I'm most concerned about an $85 bulbo I just got.

I put the electric space heater back in and am thinking of just returning all the propane stuff to Lowes. Natural gas was suggested by several society members. It's just a hassle for me to set it up.

I suppose I should have been more specific - give up the plants and find a relationship. Funny thing is, that's why I got into orchids in the first place but I turned out to be the youngest member in a very geriatric society.
Oh well...the orchids are still less expensive!

[Bradfo69]

I bit the bullet and went electric. Put it a 4000 watt 240volt wall pack heater yesterday and temps last night never got below 62. (high 30's ambient) I have the heater on setting two so tonight I'll back it down to one and see what happens. I was afraid it might be too powerful for the greenhouse - we'll see. Next catastrophy will be finding out I can't get it cool enough!