New greenhouse nightmares

[JanS]

Sounds like you have a very similar greenhouse to what I have on top of our flat roof here in coastal San Diego. You definitely need shade cloth for orchids! Also very important is to monitor the temperature inside - even with the automatic top vents, this past (very hot) summer here, I had to install a (solar) fan inside to move the air AND keep the door partially open. Otherwise at mid-day temps inside went past 100 and could have gone to 110+. Your tomatoes may survive but your orchids will die. One strategy: can you put the greenhouse in a location so that trees or something else shades it for part of the day? You'll still need shade cloth but you won't have as much a temperature problem come spring and summer. Good luck!