My Greenhouse Project - Orchid Board

shadytrake · #1 04-29-2009, 11:59 PM

So I couldn't stand it anymore. I had to build a greenhouse. The design is by my hubby. He did all the heavy building. I supervised.

It is 8'x11' and on a concrete slab (already existing in my backyard). 6'H at the door plus 3' more at the ridge so 9'H down the center.

2x4 PT Pine construction with a 2x6 PT ridgepole and 4x4 PT corner posts. So far cost is about $300 but we are not finished yet.

I am now researching shelving and exterior materials.

Hubby and I are having a "discussion" over the finishing details. I really like the metal mesh that was used in the post here in this forum for the shade house but I am wondering about cost. I want to have it finished in the next 2 weeks.

Any ideas or suggestions are welcomed.

DebsC · #2 04-30-2009, 01:01 AM

Ain't hubby's grand! (sometimes) Congrats on the greenhouse! It looks great so far!

So, will you be heating this gh in winter or is it going to be more of a shade house?

Mine has polycarbonate walls and roof but there are many choices out there depending on your location.

What type of orchids do you grow?

I'm sure no matter what you grow, you will enjoy your gh to no end!!!

shadytrake · #3 04-30-2009, 03:22 PM

Well due to my location, it will be more of a shadehouse in the summer but we do get a "real" winter here so it will be a GH in the winter and I will have to plan for heat. I haven't gotten to that part yet as summer just started and we don't get cold weather until November...yay!

I'm thinking a polycarbonate roof and shade cloth for the sides during summer and removable polycarbonate panels for winter..kindof like removable storm windows. I'm thinking I will mount the polyc. in wood or aluminum frames and attach them when the weather turns.

As far as orchid types...I'm still developing which ones do the best for me so I have a lot of variety. So far, the Dens, Oncs, Epis, and Tolus are doing the best with a couple of Catt crosses (Slc, Blc etc) doing well. The others...well the jury is out. They are doing okay but I wouldn't say they are in the optimum environment.

The one thing I am unsure of is if screen door material would be too shady. I want to keep out the mosquitos. They get bad here. The shade cloth has bigger holes and the little pests will get inside and eat me alive.

I do have a line on some tempered glass from an OB member that might work out great if the dimensions are right, but it depends on his location and whether I can convince hubby on a road trip.

shadytrake · #4 05-14-2009, 03:05 AM

Here are some updated photos. We went with the standard nylon charcoal screen material for the sides and visqueen 6 mil for the roof (no pic of the roof yet).

We are going to use those heavy duty commercial plastic bread trays for the shelving. We were going to buy them, but on our way home from Sunday brunch I glanced down this alleyway and what do you know....a stack of them were sitting by a dumpster!!!

I love free stuff!

We still have some work to do building the shelf supports, installing the Mist King, building a potting bench and installing the utility sink but due to the heavy rains I had to get the chids under cover.

Send me some sunshine!

Now I just have to kill the rest of the darn slugs.

natasha · #5 05-14-2009, 03:19 AM

i think your greenhouse/shadehouse looks great! lucky you get to snag such a handy guy! and i think those bread trays also very useful if i can get my hand on it!

SP2340 · #6 05-14-2009, 10:33 AM

Beautiful shadehouse, and excellent job finding those trays!! The shade cloth you used, what percentage of light does it allow to pass through?

natasha · #7 05-14-2009, 10:21 PM

once i saw a shade cloth written 70% on the pack. what does that mean? i live in the tropics, can i use shadecloth with 70%?

rtsingleton · #8 05-14-2009, 11:09 PM

gutters for a raincatch system for the mistking might be a fun addition, don't forget to buy mosquito dunks though!

DebsC · #9 05-15-2009, 01:04 AM

The greenhouse is coming right along! It looks real good, too.

I agree, the mosquito's are going to be big as houses after all this rain! We may need BB guns instead of dunks!

We've been having a lot of wind, don't know if it's made it as far as Memphis or not, but I was just wondering what you were going to do to keep your pots stable? We can't even keep our trees stable!!!

Anyway, it's looking great!

shadytrake · #10 05-15-2009, 01:51 AM

Well my light meter is on the fritz...so I'm ordering a new one. I will test the light as soon as the new meter comes in. I can't imagine that the screen blocks too much for the chids to thrive, but it is a work in progress.

For sure about the mosquitos...they are EVIL. We are already getting the ones that dive bomb you and really sting when they bite.

We have an orchid show this weekend so I'll try to post another update on Saturday or Sunday.