update to thread "ORDERED!" - Page 2 - Orchid Board

dounoharm · #11 06-17-2009, 08:38 PM

keeping cool here in the south is a major issue....shadecloth is necessary, and i use 2....one 60% for the whole gh, and another of 30% ( a remnant) over a portion where the phals are.....they were burning under the 60% one....i have heard that the aluminet is great, but mine is plain black.....farmtek is a great place to get supplies like that......i also use a humidity fan, from jaybird company, the aquafog 700.....that has made a terrific diff in my temps....i still have to go in and hose down manually a couple times on really hot days....thats the only way i have found to get those temps down fast....and it does get hot...keeps the exhaust fan running constantly during the day....gl with your new baby! and enjoy it!!!!!

natasha · #12 06-17-2009, 10:27 PM

110F??? even a south east asian like me will burn in that kind of temperature!

Ranchnanny · #13 06-17-2009, 11:26 PM

You could try Farm Tek on line that is where I got my Aluminet from and its working great.

Check them out.

Sheridan

natasha · #14 06-17-2009, 11:51 PM

maybe you can have sort of water reservoir underneath the benches. it helps in increasing humidity and perhaps lower the temperature a bit... i see many malaysian orchid shade houses with sorts of small ponds, gravel floors etc.

i am planning to use my unused litter boxes to plan some pennywort and put it under my benches. the plant can withstand watery ground. i would like to be ready for the forecasted higher temp (newpaper said by 3C - now already reach 37C somedays). for myself and hubby, we'll install air-cond, sorry mother earth, but fan seems not helping much...

VickiC · #15 06-18-2009, 12:36 AM

Hi Debs!
Thanks! It is going to look even better (to me) when I get my plants out there. (Ok, I know they're small now, but give em another year. I know I won't kill as many as I have this last year. lol I've learned a lot from all of you...thank you!)

Yes, the lumber is treated. Untreated wood would never work for me because I could never be so neat as to not spill water all over the floor every few days, thus rot lol).

Gosh, I know I'm in for a real learning experience. I'm getting brain-overload a lot these days....trying to get all my thoughts together as to what I'll need and what I can afford.

So, can I hold you to that, Debs...that I will get the hang of it?! I certainly hope I do!!

Thanks for your reply,
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by DebsC

Hey Vicki, it's looking good!!! I know you're so excited!! I love the wood floor, is it treated lumber or what?

All I can tell you is, cooling a greenhouse is not easy for us southerners. It'll take a combination of shade cloth, ventilation, fogging and a lot of prayers!

It's really humid here in Arkansas, too. I don't have a swamp cooler but I intend to get one....when I can afford it.

They say they are energy efficient and I've seen days that I'd be proud to lower the temps even 5 degrees!!

It truly does take a number of different measures and you'll get the hang of it, never fear!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DebsC

Hey Vicki, it's looking good!!! I know you're so excited!! I love the wood floor, is it treated lumber or what?

All I can tell you is, cooling a greenhouse is not easy for us southerners. It'll take a combination of shade cloth, ventilation, fogging and a lot of prayers!

It's really humid here in Arkansas, too. I don't have a swamp cooler but I intend to get one....when I can afford it.

They say they are energy efficient and I've seen days that I'd be proud to lower the temps even 5 degrees!!

It truly does take a number of different measures and you'll get the hang of it, never fear!!

VickiC · #16 06-18-2009, 12:53 AM

Hi!
Yes, from one southerner to another...keeping cool down here is definitely a major issue...no doubt! As soon as I can figure out what % shadecloth to buy, I'm going to place an order, so thanks for your help. Sounds like you have a good setup. I appreciate the food for thought while I'm trying to get everything together in my mind.

I've been reading about the Aquafog 700 and I think it sounds gr8. It is pretty expensive, though....I wish I could afford one now. I might just go "count my pennies" lol

Thanks for your gl wish....please keep your fingers crossed for me that everything goes well. If I don't have a nervous breakdown and/or go broke and end up in the poor house, I know I'm going to enjoy it!
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by dounoharm

keeping cool here in the south is a major issue....shadecloth is necessary, and i use 2....one 60% for the whole gh, and another of 30% ( a remnant) over a portion where the phals are.....they were burning under the 60% one....i have heard that the aluminet is great, but mine is plain black.....farmtek is a great place to get supplies like that......i also use a humidity fan, from jaybird company, the aquafog 700.....that has made a terrific diff in my temps....i still have to go in and hose down manually a couple times on really hot days....thats the only way i have found to get those temps down fast....and it does get hot...keeps the exhaust fan running constantly during the day....gl with your new baby! and enjoy it!!!!!

VickiC · #17 06-18-2009, 12:57 AM

Thanks, Sheridan...I haven't ran across the Farm Tek site yet. I'll definitely check them out! I'm hoping that Aluminet will help me out with my heat problem.
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranchnanny

You could try Farm Tek on line that is where I got my Aluminet from and its working great.

Check them out.

Sheridan

VickiC · #18 06-18-2009, 01:00 AM

Hi Natasha!
Yes, 110 yesterday! I checked twice today, and I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw that it was up to 120! Isn't that awful?!
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by natasha

110F??? even a south east asian like me will burn in that kind of temperature!

VickiC · #19 06-18-2009, 01:05 AM

That's a good idea....a water reservoir. If I didn't have the wood floor, that's what I would do. I wonder if I can still do something like that, even though the floor is wood. ??

I'm with you on the air-conditioner...I couldn't stand the high heat, either!
Thanks for your input,
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by natasha

maybe you can have sort of water reservoir underneath the benches. it helps in increasing humidity and perhaps lower the temperature a bit... i see many malaysian orchid shade houses with sorts of small ponds, gravel floors etc.

i am planning to use my unused litter boxes to plan some pennywort and put it under my benches. the plant can withstand watery ground. i would like to be ready for the forecasted higher temp (newpaper said by 3C - now already reach 37C somedays). for myself and hubby, we'll install air-cond, sorry mother earth, but fan seems not helping much...

natasha · #20 06-18-2009, 04:18 AM

120? ouchhh... that hurts... but we are getting warmer as well. yesterday the temp at my porch was 95 and it was dusk.

if you want to do it, ensure the water container is watertight so it won't ruin you wood floor. but find something that not heavy or just put little water only to offset the weight. or you can do like some people did here. drainage tray underneath their pots - usually indoors. but ensure that you'll have an overflow outlet, so your gh won't be flooded.