Not really a greenhouse but it should do what I want

[fredr]

I have a greenhouse which is made out of clear and white poly panels. I had to white paint the clear. Anyway, as these things go it is too small for all the things I wish to store during the colder 3 months of the year when frost is possible. I have tropical palms, orchids and bromeliads and mainly wish to do two things for my plants. 1) is to protect against a possible cold wave and 2) is to provide bright light and cover from the daily summer rain. It's just too much of a good thing for my orchids.

Anyhow, the reason for my post, what do you folks think about a white Twin-wall corrogated plastic cover for a tube like 30x60 greenhouse? Light transmission is 72%, RV value of 2.

I know this is on the low side of bright light for cats and dendrobiums but I have a feeling the volume should suffice and offer enough light for all my plants. This is SW Florida and the sun come in pretty strong. I'll have aux heat and lots of air circulation with the sides being able to open up. My main concern is the 72% but then clear poly is simply too much and will require shade cloth as an additional hassle. My white painted greenhouse with 5 fans in it seems to be wonderful for my orchids but I only have room for half of my 400.

Any comments are appreciated.
Fred

[fredr]

after I wrote this I started to think. 72% light transmission really means 28% shade. Not enough and back to the drawing board.

[BruceP]

Fred, Cats and Dens can do perfectly well with 28% shade and a few strategically-placed palms and hanging plants should allow you to find a place for just about anything. I grow a large mixed collection in my pool cage which is only 25-30% shade.

[fredr]

Bromeliads definately want more shade and so would my other orchids and shade plants. I thought about this over dinner and may buy some aluminet shading in places were I want it. I was just dissapointed in my own stupidity thnking I was getting 72% shade.

[nlm2951]

HiFredr, I have a lattice house 8'w x 8'h x 16' l .I used shade cloth, you have to pull it down good and after I have to put the plastic, doing the same. I did this because of the rain and the cold, don't know how to transfer pictures from my phone yet I hope I will do it soon

[nlm2951]

Sorry I didn't mention. shade cloth and plastic are on the roof, no walls