My Greenhouse Project!

[FairyInTheFlowers]

Originally Posted by AaronC

Thank you! I know I am VERY addicted to orchids. Shaun (My boyfriend) isn't into them like I am. He just builds what I ask him to build! Haha. When it is done I'll post it with everything in it. It will have a Cavendish Banana plant and many other large trees and plants other than my many orchids. In the next couple years I hope to have the Greenhouse FULL of orchids and a brand new greenhouse for everything else.

Well, he might not be into them, but its great that he is supportive, plus willing to take on such a building project! It took a lot of nagging to convince my Dad to help me build the small orchid stands I have. I would need to beg for years to get a greenhouse!

[Vanda lover]

That sure sounds like a good plan. I settled for a little one that I got on sale at Canadian tire, but it doesn't seal well. I put my garden seedlings in it for the spring, then move the orchids there for the summer. It turns out that I could have left the cyms out there for the winter this year though. Boy, was it a nice, mild winter!

[AaronC]

Originally Posted by Vanda lover

That sure sounds like a good plan. I settled for a little one that I got on sale at Canadian tire, but it doesn't seal well. I put my garden seedlings in it for the spring, then move the orchids there for the summer. It turns out that I could have left the cyms out there for the winter this year though. Boy, was it a nice, mild winter!

If it works well for you why not?! I have spent a lot of money on my greenhouse so far and it definatly could have been used elsewhere but I put my money towards my passion and live behind my passion. You are lucky to have such a mild winter. I wish I could say the same. It was mild for edmonton but still damn cold!

[Vanda lover]

We retired here from Ontario ans haven't regretted it.
It's a little weird when it comes to growing orchids, though. Our night temperatures throughout the summer are usually around 11, and can go as low as 7. Then during the afternoon it can be as high as 42 the odd time. It warms up slowly. But I must admit that I love seeing green all winter instead of snow.

[orchidsarefun]

it looks great, but 2 questions
1) is tar paper the Canadian equivalent of insulation ?
2) I like the concept of a shady tree near a greenhouse, but is the downside a branch could break and collapse onto the greenhouse ? I don't know if you have windy conditions ( like Chicago ! ) or severe storms.

[DavidCampen]

Originally Posted by AaronC

I would love to get a vent opener but I am going to have to do it manually until I can find a different system from what you have mentioned. My vents open like a door swinging open, not like a hatch opening up and down. The top 3 windows in the Gables open Like doors, I have 2 fans One exhaust and one intake. The Intake fan sits on the inside of one of the Gable windows. While the Exhaust fan has its own area since it will be running more frequently during the winter to allow for new non stale air. Do you know of a system that will open possibly Hydraulically that doesn't require the force of gravity to open and close?

These Bayliss vent openers have springs that will pull it closed.
Charley's Greenhouse & Garden Bayliss MK7 Triple Spring Vent Opener C3503

I have several of these, I use them for roof vents so I don't personally have experience using them for side vents but the springs are strong and should pull closed without gravity. I bought mine from Charlie's Greenhouse, at the time they were the only place that had these with the higher temperature "orchid wax" actuators but the Bayliss openers are often on backorder at Charlie's. I see that several other places now carry the ones with orchid wax. They are made in England so maybe they will be easily available in Canada.

[AaronC]

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

it looks great, but 2 questions
1) is tar paper the Canadian equivalent of insulation ?
2) I like the concept of a shady tree near a greenhouse, but is the downside a branch could break and collapse onto the greenhouse ? I don't know if you have windy conditions ( like Chicago ! ) or severe storms.

Tar paper is used to allow the wood to breath. It is like Poly but it breaths. I used R22 Roxul Insulation (Rock fibers) in the pony walls.

There is a downside for sure to build under the trees. I made sure to cut down any weak branches. We do have very severe weather and are known for our Thunder storms during the summer almost EVERY evening with high winds. I do worry about the trees and the trees are about 80 years old (4 of them). that was the only location that was large enough for my greenhouse design. I can't take the trees down because I don't own the home.... We hope we purchase an acerage this summer and then I will have a permanent perfect location for my greenhouse.

---------- Post added at 06:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:27 PM ----------

Originally Posted by DavidCampen

These Bayliss vent openers have springs that will pull it closed.
Charley's Greenhouse & Garden Bayliss MK7 Triple Spring Vent Opener C3503

I have several of these, I use them for roof vents so I don't personally have experience using them for side vents but the springs are strong and should pull closed without gravity. I bought mine from Charlie's Greenhouse, at the time they were the only place that had these with the higher temperature "orchid wax" actuators but the Bayliss openers are often on backorder at Charlie's. I see that several other places now carry the ones with orchid wax. They are made in England so maybe they will be easily available in Canada.

Thank you! This looks promising. I'm going to have to get 3 of them. I hope I can find them here in Canada. Or I will try and get shipping from elsewhere!

[Aki_James]

Wow I'm really jealous.. that is really beautiful. I like that you re-purposed the wood. The design is really awesome, reminds me of the old Victorian styled one we had at our acreage when I was younger. Be sure to show us the completed project.

[jaxorchidman]

Great job!!!

[Connie Star]

When you move, are you moving your greenhouse? It looks like a wonderful structure and very aesthetic- but it seems like a lot of work to leave it behind.