Do I need a greenhouse?

[oneshotveth]

So, I'm very new to orchids. I really want a greenhouse for some strange reason. I guess if you've ever been to Black Jungle terrarium supply, they have an amazing greenhouse where everything is overgrown and you feel like you are actually in a rainforest or jungle. Does having a greenhouse help with growing orchids or am I just looking for a way to justify buying the greenhouse?

BTW, I live in Massachusetts, so it would be year round with the winter and all…

Thanks in advance

Brian

[Bud]

If you build yourself a greenhouse, then you need to fill it up with plants.... put an automatic sprinkler with an electric humidifier and a decent temperature controlled rig....
If you happen to fill up your greenhouse with orchids then do you have the time to tend to your small farm?
Before you know it your GH is going to be a full time thing....
If you are new to orchids, why not start as a windowsill grower and then try to rebloom your collection and accumulate thru the years....maybe then you will be ready for a GH....

[Orchid Whisperer]

A greenhouse is not necessary to grow orchids. All of mine grow indoors under lights in winter and outdoors during the summer.

A greenhouse is nice, but remember that there are costs after you buy it (such as heating bills). Maybe a greenhouse grower from your USDA zone can give you an idea of the heating & cooling costs?

[RandomGemini]

A greenhouse in a cold part of the country is going to be quite the investment to heat during the winter. You will have to find a way to keep your greenhouse above 55 degrees and when it's below freezing outside, that can be a fight.

There's nothing wrong with growing indoors and you can be just as successful with a sun room, and save a few bucks on the heating bill.

[Leafmite]

It is rather expensive to heat a greenhouse and, if something goes wrong (power outage, malfunction), you lose everything. Many in our orchid society grow under lights in the winter and then put everyone outside for the summer. Still, if a greenhouse is your dream, you should hire a reputable company to build one that is heat efficient.

[RJSquirrel]

one need leads to another..

i need a greenhouse
i need to fill it
i need to water it
i need to cool it
i need to heat it
i need to clear out all the dead plants
i need to start over..

its never ending needs that leads us to our own ends

[oneshotveth]

Thanks for the advice everyone. That idea is on hold…

[gdupont]

Hey! I'm from MA, too! I've been growing orchids for the past few years in an indoor greenhouse. It's basically a shelf with greenhouse plastic material covering it. I put it in a bright spot. I've included one of those small reptilian-cage humidity monitors (cheap, like $5) and use a spray bottle to get the humidity. Works great, the plants love it!! And that way you don't have to worry about cold winters since the plants are inside. I have a miniature fan in there too for air movement. Let me know if you have any questions!! I can post some pics, too, if you would like.


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[kindrag23]

Like @ gdupont said there are small inside greenhouses that are un obtrusive and you can keep in your house. Or grow on a windowsill for a while its very rewarding to see your orchids that were un bloomed the night before to be in full fragrant bloom when you wake up the next morning.

[Optimist]

I would love one, but the pros and cons have convinced me against it. I only have about 26 orchids, which includes 3 near deathbphals in semi hydro. I really do not think I will ever get more than 100. I am not interested in expanding to flasking or sales. I am not that interested in rare or hard to care for orchids.

I am working on some terrarium set ups for masdivalias and minis.

I am also about 3 years from buying a house, and will be looking for one with plnty of windows and possibly a solarium. I've seen a lot of wonderful things done with catch water pans and pvc plumbing which make indoor watering a snap.

Now I could get a tiny one for starting tomatoes and such for the garden, but I am sure that could be done in the house under lights as well.

Oh well, those are my reasons not to want a green house.

---------- Post added at 06:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:50 AM ----------

By the way, a neighbors garage was half crushed by a falling tree. When he rebuilt, he put a bunch of windows in, instead of a wall and uses that area as a green house. There are also green houses that are extentions of the house that actually act as solar sinks, and actually help with heating. Look up passive solar. A green house can be a powerful tool for keeping heat and humidity inside the house.

---------- Post added at 07:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:58 AM ----------

There are also small lean-to green houses (gable end greenhouses) that fit over a door or window.