Greenhouse growing in Arizona?

[amandarenee]

The hubby and I are going to be settling down in Arizona (in the Phoenix valley to be specific) permanently this summer, and I cannot WAIT until we buy a house and I can finally have a greenhouse.

But the hubbs brought up a good point: can I really grow orchids in a greenhouse in Arizona year-round? I am worried about cooking the poor little dears. I know you can get...um, that cloth that blocks out the light (I'm just starting my research in to greenhouses). And automatic vents. He also suggested that I might be able to use an evaporative cooler to help regulate the temp. So I would love to hear from people in Arizona (or anyplace with similar growing conditions). Gimme your !

[dounoharm]

i would think that an evaporative cooler or two would be a must....and loads of shade cloth....it will be difficult at first but once you get it regulated it should be fine....again, i think that a gh that is 12 x 24 is the smallest one can regulate properly, so get the size as big as you can!

[Daniel62]

Hi, I have a greenhouse here in kingman Az, for the last year. I haven't had much problem with mine. Mine is 8 x 16 I used whiote polycarbonet for the roof and side, I have auto vents for the roof, concrete pavers for the floor, wire shelve with cinder block leg, and occilating fan on 24/7, and a medium size swamp cooler. I will be adding a misting system next week It's hot here but it's a dry heat LOL. You will want/need a swamper! to do your chids justice. my GH has a mostly eastern exposure, so by noon it receives no direct sunlight. I love my GH and with a little planning it's not that hard to do here in AZ.
good luck and welcome to Az

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[Ray]

Yes, there are challenges, but that provides lots of opportunities!

Yeah, really hot and bright. Shade cloth is easier to control than is weeks of gray, gloomy weather.

Yeah, it's really dry. A swamp cooler will fix that, and help with the temperature reduction, as well. That certainly beats the hot, humid days I see that seem to really foster fungi.

Water quality is apparently not known to be exceptional out there however, so look into that, too. I sell a lot of RO stuff to folks out there.

I also think it is critical that you plan for contingencies - "what if the power goes out" is always worth considering. At least that's not likely to be on a 5° night!

[dounoharm]

thats an interesting point ray, what if the power goes out and you lose the fans and exhaust....you could burn a collection in an hour out there.....(our friendly power company cut power here for 20 min and i lost a lot of flowers and buds....the plants are ok tho)....if you watered it down would that save plants exposed to desert heat and lack of ventilation? what would you do? any ideas?

[Ray]

I can think of two alternatives:

An overhead misting system controlled by a normally open-solenoid valve. Power goes off, valve opens. Probably adequate if you have a municipal water supply. I have a well...power off, pump off.

Alternative 2: automatic generator. Yeah, they are expensive, but so is a greenhouse full of plants.

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[DavidCampen]

Originally Posted by Ray

...
An overhead misting system controlled by a normally open-solenoid valve. Power goes off, valve opens. Probably adequate if you have a municipal water supply ...

Yes, a municipal water system will maintain pressure even after a widescale loss of power.

Then you also need automatic ventilation so that your plants don't just cook in a steam sauna. I like and use the Bayliss heat powered vent openers:
Charley's Greenhouse & Garden Bayliss MK7 Orchid Vent Opener C3505

[Ray]

Good point, David. I have those on my greenhouse.

[littlefrog]

I'm in favor of battery backup for the greenhouse. It is what I use. I suspect it is much cheaper now than when I set up my system. A lot cheaper than an automatic generator backup.

Mine is four golf cart batteries in series, and an inverter (converts DC to AC). Batteries are DC, most of your stuff is AC (although if you could get DC equipment, even better, it is a bit more efficient). The inverter keeps the batteries charged when the power is on. I've calculated that my batteries should run the ventilation and heat for at least a couple days, not that I've needed that.

It is also in your interest to look into solar power. The prices have come way down, and I have heard that Arizona has generous incentives. As long as you are getting some batteries and an inverter anyway...

[Ray]

You know Rob, that's a good idea.

In my case, if it can merely keep power to the heater controls and fan, I'd be much happier and sleep better in winter. it doesn't help much in the summer, but those auto vents are great.

Can you please share info on the specific inverter/charger?