Keeping in a greenhousein England - Good/Bad Idea?

[everlastingspirit]

Hi to all.

Last bit off advice for this week i swear!!!!

Probably a question for those aware of UK weather/climate but anyway.... we have a 6x4 plastic greenhouse. ie: metal poles with diffused plastic surround. Its strong and safe, etc

Now im not worried about direct sulight because the plastic is structured so the lights is diffused & wont cause scorching but waht i am worried about it the tempaerature. The greenhouse stays nice & hot in the day but will it get cold in the night? and will my orchids be ok?

Reason i want to put them in greenhouse is i still live with parents (for probs next year or so until me & partner save up to move out) but find my windowsill is accommadating lots of orchids so want to move those not in bloom to the greenhouse to regrow and it allows me to expand my collection -> always good

Example of greenhouse i have is below except mine is about 4 ft bigger from where the door on the below is





Any advice/suggestions is greatly appreciated as always!

Ben

[Hedge]

This sort of greenhouse will probably be ok in the summer, but I wouldn't rate its chances of being able to stay more than a couple of degrees warmer than the ambient temperature at night. The way to find out is to buy a maximum/ minimum thermometer and put it near the base (because cold air sinks!), out of direct sun and see what results you get.

Heating this structure will not be possible because of the way it is made. You could try wrapping it in bubble wrap to enhance heat retention. I don't think it would be much good for anything that has to stay above 55 deg F (about 12 deg C) at anytime of year, and in the winter nothing at all if last winter was anything to go by,

Sorry to be negative but I don't want your 'chids to suffer. Unheated garage or shed might be better?

Regards

Heather

[camille1585]

If you do want to use it in the summer you might want to move it somewhere where it will get some shade to keep it from getting too hot. Couldn't you just keep the orchids outside for the summer? I agree with Heather, if you are planning on using it year round I don't think it will work. Such small structures are nearly impossible to heat corretly because they have no inertia.
I used to have one of these to start seeds for the garden and some other things, and I use it only in the spring and fall. In the summer it gets inpossibly hot even with the door open.

[Blueszz]

I agree with the others.
I want one of these greenhouses too, but not for keeping the temperature high enough during the colder months of the year.
Actually, I want one for my north faced balcony to protect the plants from heavy rain and wind (thunderstorms during the summer and fall). On this balcony the plants get only early morning and late evening sun, so temperature won't be much of a problem, but I might install a little fan in it to increase air flow.

[The Orchid man]

hi!
i am a new member to this 'Board'.
i don't know when you requested information abouot greenhouses but you might glen something useful from my experiences.
i have been growing orchids for some 30 odd years and in all sorts of greenhouses - mostly aluminium ones but the last one was custom built by me to meet my requirements regarding space and needs. overall i would say that a plastic one is bad news - even during the summer because they sweat and this leads to poor culture. high humidity is great for orchids but it must be in measure regarding the ambient temperature. fungus spreads easily and quickly in a water film on plastic and they heat up and cool down very quickly - not good news. if plastic is really your only option i might suggest that it is covered in a bubble film over which is a shading material. this would help stablise your conditions but it is only suitable in the short term. air movement is crucial so ventillation is a necessity. i will elborate further if you would like me to.
PeterD. South Beds.