Gonmon's DIY Greenhouse Plans

[Magnus A]

I have no greenhouse but I have a question about light in the winter time. Your north roof will not be hit by the sun as it leaning away from the sun and therfore only the south steep wall will be illuminating the greenhouse.
If the slope of the roof leaned to the other side with a higher north wall or a lower south leaning wall you should get some extra diffused light as the sun rays hit the roof during the winter...

[Gonmon]

Originally Posted by Magnus A

I have no greenhouse but I have a question about light in the winter time. Your north roof will not be hit by the sun as it leaning away from the sun and therfore only the south steep wall will be illuminating the greenhouse.
If the slope of the roof leaned to the other side with a higher north wall or a lower south leaning wall you should get some extra diffused light as the sun rays hit the roof during the winter...

Are you talking about the light coming in through the South wall, and bouncing off the inside of the North wall? According to my little book, The Solar Greenhouse Book, having the South wall angled 75 degrees to horozontal and painting it white will create the best surface for reflecting light in the winter. I did not do that in my plan because having the South side sloped 60 degrees (the optimal) and the North side sloped 75 degrees would create a greenhouse that is too narrow, or unreasonably tall. I also don't want to increase the height of the North wall too much or the slope of the North roof will be too shallow to shed snow well. Hope that answers your question, and if not we'll try again!

[got ants]

I really can't discuss the overall structure as what I build is for our tropics, ie; rain. My roofs are sloped, but very little. Our issues are heat, and air circulation.

But when it comes to benches, I really have a good working system that should work in all climates. I use 4X4 PT posts and concrete them in the ground. I then frame them out with 2X4 PT boards and decking screws. Where I can't get behind to put a screw in, I use metal brackets. The most expensive part was the roll of hardware cloth that I had to order from California. 1# squares by 3' width, in a 100' roll, about $150 w/shipping to Florida.

Think of it, its 100 linear feet of 3' benches. I use stainless staples (size 50) to hold the cloth down...

This is what the benches look like...


A little closer...


(I know, just another opportunity to show of a C. Gigs var Sanderiana.. lol)

[DavidCampen]

Where do you get those nice orchid pots with the multitude of drainage slits in the sides?

[Magnus A]

Originally Posted by Gonmon

Are you talking about the light coming in through the South wall, and bouncing off the inside of the North wall? According to my little book, The Solar Greenhouse Book, having the South wall angled 75 degrees to horozontal and painting it white will create the best surface for reflecting light in the winter. I did not do that in my plan because having the South side sloped 60 degrees (the optimal) and the North side sloped 75 degrees would create a greenhouse that is too narrow, or unreasonably tall. I also don't want to increase the height of the North wall too much or the slope of the North roof will be too shallow to shed snow well. Hope that answers your question, and if not we'll try again!

Not really, I asked about the roof between the walls. You have drawn an angle between south wall and roof of 90 degree that make the roof more or less in the shadow. If the angle would be larger, the sun would also hit the roof and you will get more diffuse light from the roof (if you use a opaque material) and not only from the south wall.
I understand the height issue, but I was just curious why you do not utilize the roof area more for lightning.

[got ants]

Originally Posted by DavidCampen

Where do you get those nice orchid pots with the multitude of drainage slits in the sides?

You mean these?



Where ever, and when ever I can.. from old orchid growers, recycled from new plantings, craigslist, orchid society meetings, etc...

[Gonmon]

@ got_ants: That's exactly how I was going to build mine!

@ Magnus_A: Sorry but I just don't understand what your talking about

I've got bad news, my dad decided he won't let me build a permanent greenhouse on his land anymore. So no concrete, no water, no electricity or gas line.

I don't know if a hoop-house would work for me, depends on if I can insulate it enough. I thought of two ways to do it. One, make a quilt of fiberglass batting with layers of plastic on each side, and hanging that over the inside of the North side. Or two, propping up styrofoam board cut and finagled into a curve to fit the North side.

Since I can't get new utilities to the site, I'll have to find a way to do it temporarily. I might be able to run and electric line in the pipe that the sattelite line is in. I can buy a small propane tank for heating. The big thing is water... I'd have to collect rain and snow, and store it for long periods.

So I don't know if this whole thing is do-able anymore

[Magnus A]

Originally Posted by Gonmon

@ Magnus_A: Sorry but I just don't understand what your talking about

Your drawing on the left, my to the right.
As the roof is hit by the sun if the angle between the south wall and the roof is bigger this will give more light into the greenhouse. I hope this make my wuestion more clear.

[Gonmon]

Ahhh ok. The reason I wouldn't do that is because the greenhouse would be too tall and the roof too flat to shed snow well. A greenhouse with a roof like you pictured would provide more light, especially during the summer. A greenhouse with a roof like mine is built for maximum light transmission during the winter, the North portion of the roof wouldn't receive any light, so it is insulated to minimize heat loss. A greenhouse like the one I pictured is usually used for growing vegetables over winter in higher latitudes, where heat is more important than light. I don't know of anyone growing orchids in a solar style greenhouse. I was planning for one because I think it's cool, and to cut heat loss as much as possible. Kudos to you for taking the times to make a picture ^^

[keithrs]

Time to go buy some land!!!!