update to thread "ORDERED!" - Orchid Board

VickiC · #1 06-15-2009, 05:13 PM

Hi everyone,
(Is this how I update an old thread...by starting a new one?? Not sure the correct way ??)

Anyway, just my good news I wanna share (initial post below):

A carpenter-guy and his wife finished getting my new greenhouse up. :>) As I've read in another member's thread, a "kit greenhouse" is NOT as easy and quick to put up as the advertisement says.

Anyway, I have pictures attached (no, that's not me standing in the picture...it's "the wife"). I hope they don't bore you stiff, but I'm afraid they will, though...so I'm sorry if you get tired of reading and looking.

For elec: my husband had originally planned to use the existing wiring that he ran to our house a long time ago... initially for elec going to a huge, old satellite dish (now my GH location). It was one of those monster dishes before the current small ones. His plans have changed, though. He has decided to pull all that old wiring out that is going through existing conduit [sp.?] to under the concrete slab inside the GH. He's gotta cut the "green satellite pole" off of the slab 1st then rewire it totally because, for one thing, it is as old as it is, and another thing is that I told him I wanted to have this, that, and the other and a few more "extras" sometime ($ allowing)....thus more elec. lol He tells me that a guy plans to do that this week. ?? (I've already told him that I want several outlets, by the way)

As for benches: we plan for the same carpenter to build some for me.

As for foundation: my husband decided on wood flooring over gravel over landscape cloth.

As for heat: I already know that's going to be a problem. It's about 473 degrees in there now...bigtime hot! Fans alone will be far from enough cooling. Of course, I'll use them for air circulation, though. There's not a window for an airconditioner, or an opening to run the thing that goes to an outside airconditioner, either (Howard and Betty...you know how a Sunglo is built). I understand that a swamp cooler wouldn't fit the bill for me, either....too much humidity in Alabama for one.

Now, for my request: I would appreciate it if you will please tell me the things I will basically need for now so that I can put my orchids out there. I would very much like to provide them with more light than they're getting (especially my catts and 2 vandas). All other advice will be more than appreciated! Cooling for summer, for sure.

Needless to say: I AM EXCITED! I can hardly wait to get "up and running".

Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by VickiC

Hi everyone!
I am soooo excited.....I just want to share my excitement with you! I'm sorry.....I hope you don't mind my long post. I can hardly contain myself to get anything else done (housework, errands, etc.) because my mind is totally elsewhere.....the Sunglo greenhouse my husband ordered for me earlier this week! Needless to say, I'm really looking forward to getting it, but I've prepared myself for the worst.....don't know what, but you never know. Maybe the "handy man" won't know exactly what to do.....maybe my husband won't have a whole lotta time to help put it up.....heck.....I'm just a paranoid worrier (some of you already know that, though) Howard (aka Bikerdoc), I know you have the same greenhouse, so by any chance can you see your way clear to come down to Alabama to help me? (lol).....I have no doubt that you and some of the other members would know exactly what we need to get it going. Seriously, I know I will need tons of advice, so all help from any of you will be appreciated. PM me if you don't mind and have the time. I need to know the pros and cons, too.

Anyway, I feel a little silly.....acting like this because I know it's premature since it will be a few weeks before it arrives...and then I have no idea when it will be "up and running" (so to speak).....but I can't help getting excited that having one is even planned.
Vicki/aka "not normal"

John D. · #2 06-15-2009, 06:34 PM

I would say Shade cloth and a good exhaust fan so the plants don't cook. You can carry water for the short term.

SP2340 · #3 06-15-2009, 06:36 PM

Wow, your sooo lucky!! I can't wait till I can build my shadehouse! It looks great BTW.

Royal · #4 06-15-2009, 06:37 PM

That is really exciting! Looking good so far. Keep the pics coming.

Blueszz · #5 06-15-2009, 07:03 PM

Vicky, this looks so good! What a beautiful greenhouse! I can't give you any advise on how to reduce the temperature etc. Sorry.
Please keep us updated with pictures, I would love to see the progress!

Nicole

VickiC · #6 06-15-2009, 07:07 PM

Thank you John,
I know there are many sites that I can order shadecloth from, but if you have a specific one that you suggest, I would appreciate your help, so please let me know.

I already have the exaust fan...it came with the greenhouse. I have a problem with it, though.....I don't have any elec yet. lol (soon (??), I hope)

Speaking of cooking plants, I checked my greenhouse temp. about noon today, and it was a comfortable 110 degrees.

Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by John D.

I would say Shade cloth and a good exhaust fan so the plants don't cook. You can carry water for the short term.

VickiC · #7 06-15-2009, 07:13 PM

Hi!
I think I am, too! Our checking acct. probably is in shock, though....if it could think, it most likely would say..."I didn't see THAT coming!"

When you get your shadehouse, PLEASE share some pictures with us. We love pictures!

Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by SP2340

Wow, your sooo lucky!! I can't wait till I can build my shadehouse! It looks great BTW.

VickiC · #8 06-15-2009, 07:17 PM

Hi Royal,
Thank you. I totally agree....it is bigtime exciting!

When I move my "little" plants out there, I'll try to remember to take more pics. Oh, and by the way.....when I say "little", I MEAN "little".
Thanks again,
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoyalOrchids

That is really exciting! Looking good so far. Keep the pics coming.

VickiC · #9 06-15-2009, 07:22 PM

Thank you! I'm very proud of my new greenhouse....I can hardly wait to put it to good use. If I can take more pics later, I'll certainly share them with you. I enjoy sharing pics with my orchid buddies.
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueszz

Vicky, this looks so good! What a beautiful greenhouse! I can't give you any advise on how to reduce the temperature etc. Sorry.
Please keep us updated with pictures, I would love to see the progress!

Nicole

DebsC · #10 06-17-2009, 02:44 AM

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!!