Cold/Cool greenhouse

[Randy]

Greetings,

Well, my new greenhouse turns out to have some problems with keeping the heat. Now I did a bunch of things to keep the heat in that the contractor didn't do correctly (like using the correct type of caulk) and done other things to keep the heat down low by the plants. Part of the problem is that I got a rather large greenhouse. If it was smaller I think the heat I used would have worked a lot better.

Anyway, over the summer I am going to do some things to help it out but I think it will always be a bit towards the cool/cold side; just not as cold as it was this winter!

So what I would like to know is besides the obvious orchids like Cymbidiums & Masds. genera in general, what plants would you recommend?

My Laleas (sp) survived, some Catts (mostly species) a couple of Austrailian Dendrobs & some various hybrids. My Cyms are happy as clams and, although flowering was a bit retarded because of the cold, they are flowering, especially the cascading ones with devonianum in their lines.
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Please suggest away!
Thanks,
Randy

[DebsC]

Hi Randy,
I grow/live in Arkansas so cool/cold growing orchids aren't something I know much about. My orchids have to be able to survive sweltering heat!

How cold is your lowest temperature in the GH? What do you heat with?

In winter, I line the inside of my gh with a heavy gauge opague plastic. It's attached to the framework creating about a 4 inch pocket between the outer shell and inside.

This helps tremendously with heating! I used to take it off in the summer but no longer remove it. I figure if it keeps out cold, it will also keep out heat!

So the plastic stays up on the walls and is removed from the ceiling or roof so the heat can escape. Shadecloth goes up in late spring.