Problem with greenhouse temp & humidity, Northwest AR.

[rochelle@58]

Hi there
I need a little (or a lot) of advice here. I have a 12x12 Pacific greenhouse in Bentonville, AR. and I can't seem to control the temps (too hot) or the humidity (not enough). I have a swamp cooler, an automatic exhaust fan and seems if I have it cool enough (fresh air exchange) its not humid enough or vice versa. Any and all advice would be so appreciated!
I forgot to say I have 60% shadecloth on the top and the south and west sides.

[nutgirl]

How do you use the exhaust fan. Is it on a timer or is it temperature controlled?
If it is coming on frequently there may be too much air replacement and drying it out too much.

Do you have circulating fans also?


Maureen

[RJSquirrel]

I just put in a small garden hose misting system for some cooling and humidity. While I dont pay much attention to the actual humidity %'s, I can look at the leaves and feel them and decide whats needed...

When the plants are happy the leaves are turgid stand up filled with water. When they are unhappy the leaves are soft and limp. 'General Rule of My Green Thumb'.

you can get automatic units to do this but I like doing this by hand as I still need the hands on experience and dont feel comfortable leaving things in AUTO.

Im very happy with the unit I got for 59 dollars and I bought 6 more nozzles from them to add more misting

Home page - Patio Misting Systems, Mist Fans, Fog Systems: Aero Mist Outdoor Mist Systems, Outdoor Misting Kit

and in my experience 60% shade with full equitant sun all day isnt enough. I stay at 70% shaded all year. I probably need to pull it off during the winter but its a pain so I leave it alone.

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[DavidCampen]

Originally Posted by rochelle@58

Hi there
I need a little (or a lot) of advice here. I have a 12x12 Pacific greenhouse in Bentonville, AR. and I can't seem to control the temps (too hot) or the humidity (not enough). I have a swamp cooler, an automatic exhaust fan and seems if I have it cool enough (fresh air exchange) its not humid enough or vice versa. Any and all advice would be so appreciated!
I forgot to say I have 60% shadecloth on the top and the south and west sides.

You need more humidification capacity such as a wet wall.

[nutgirl]

I am in a warmer/dryer climate.
I use a small swamp cooler and a 3-nozzle fogging head set on a timer to come on periodically during the afternoon.
I have 2 circulating fans mounted at ceiling height.
Unless it is a major heat wave, my greenhouse can stay at 40 - 50% humidity, 85-95 deg.


Maureen

[rochelle@58]

Thanks for everyone for your advice. I leaned a lot! I'm still tweaking things but I have a lot better idea what to do now and I do so appreciate. (Just bought the 60 shadecloth and got it up. Should have asked before I bought!)

[RJSquirrel]

60 % wont hurt you but IMO at 70% you can slide in more different kinds of orchids. I settled at 70% bec I can still do well with the phals ,shady growing dendrobiums and other plants that where at 60% they would burn.

If you like hot bright sunny catts they should do fine. The cooler you can keep most any orchid and keep it cool in the brightest light they can stand without burning the better they will grow and bloom. Of course that comes at the cost of the humidity. When the humidity is being used for cooling you have to continually replenish the source of it bec its being used doing work changing matter from one state to another.

and more info than you wantd

[rochelle@58]

Hi RJ
Thanks for explaining a bit-it helps. I guess I'll go with 60 for now and then maybe next spring get 70 for at least overhead. I used to live in central Arkansas & the humidity in summer was always high. However I have now moved to NW Ar and the wind blows a lot & humidity isn't as high. Never thought I'd wish for that lol! I'm learning that as another on the board reminded me, I can set the exhaust fan to come on at a higher temp & that does help. Thanks for your input & may your orchids put on a show for you for your kindness!