King Canopy GH - Orchid Board

rtsingleton · #1 10-24-2008, 02:41 PM

I can't seem to keep it cool enough during the day and warm enough at night. I am using a window unit and a portable radiator heater... heater is rated at 2500w, the gh is 10x10 but it doesn't seem to hold up to either extreme very well. Any advice?

BikerDoc5968 · #2 10-24-2008, 03:11 PM

Not sure how much this will help, because I don't know your exact setup, but...... I have an 8 x 15 (120 sq ft) compared to your 100 sq ft and I am using a natural gas heater rated at 20,000 BTu. It has a fan that is linked to the heater's thermostat and in addition I have a 6" fan to help circulate the heat. I live in SE Michigan and have no problem keeping my daytime temps about 68 to 72 even in the dead of winter. You may need to add bubble wrap to the walls of the GH to keep the heat in. I also use a 15,000 BTu (240V) electric space heater with fan as backup just in case the pilot goes out on the gas heater. The gas heater is available at Home Depot or Lowes and the electric heater is available online; just google "electric heater"

http://heating-and-cooling.hardwarestore.com/97-567-electric-space-heaters/contractor''s-buddy-heater-108448.aspx

Becca · #3 10-24-2008, 06:38 PM

Howard, you mentioned that rtsingleton may need to add some bubble wrap to the walls of his greenhouse, do you do this as well or do you not have a need for it with your type of greenhouse? Great greenhouse by the way! I would love to have one like that someday....how do the wood floors treat you with all the moisture and watering and does the water not drip on the plants below them from watering? Sorry for asking a few questions off the subject of the thread!

Gin · #4 10-24-2008, 07:12 PM

I use a solar pool blanket (clear) over the roof for winter it is like industrial strength bubble wrap , also plastic over the glass outside .Glass has almost no R rating ..
I shoot for 60 at night . Gin

rtsingleton · #5 10-24-2008, 09:43 PM

It's a plastic tarp type gh, I'll look into the solar pool blanket, thanks. What type of gh is that doc?

BikerDoc5968 · #6 10-24-2008, 10:27 PM

Becca, I used treated wood because it is easier to keep clean, water goes through to the sand below and I don't track anything into the house and I don't get algae growth and the cost was in my budget rather than a solid stone floor like pavers....I don't like pea stone and the like for a floor as some people use....just my tastes. As for water dripping on plants below...I only have my cymbidiums on the floor and they are to the front so very little hits them from above. The GH is a SunGlo kit. It has a twin wall acrylic construction with the inner panel being ribbed and the outer smooth. I had a real problem last winter with condensation dripping on the plants so this year I installed an inner liner of 0.06" acrylic on the ceiling to direct the water off to the sides. I don't add other insulation but I'm sure if I did, it would help with heat loss. The pool blanket sounds like a definite plan!

DebsC · #7 10-24-2008, 11:09 PM

Howard, your greenhouse is beautiful! The wood floor just sets it off! It's also very orderly, which I can't claim mine is. I have stuff hanging everywhere!! Cattleya's mostly.

Gin, is the pool cover actually bubble-wrap like? Or is it flat plastic?

rtsingleton, I would go with the bubblewrap and/or solar pool cover. Good luck!