Green house questions?

[snowflake311]

I want a real green house but I have question before I invest.

1. Can orchids stay in greenhouses over winter when temps are -8f?
2. How do you heat the green house?
3. Is it worth it to get one?
4. How warm will will it stay in fall?

Please any info on growing orchids in a green house would be great?

Pros and cons would be nice too. I know very little about growing in a green house? I grow under lights mainly some orchids are outside in the summer.

Thanks

[fooferdoggie]

I don't think there are very many orchids that could take that cold even terrestrial ones may be way too cold. it would depend on what orchids you have. some can handle almost freezing some in the 40's some in the 50's and so on.

[Dollythehun]

Use the search engine in the upper right. There's past posts about this. Having a small one here and keeping it at 40f, I can tell you heating cost are outrageous. I have no idea how cold your area can get but, I won't be running mine this winter.

As to what temperature orchids take, some can go into the 30s. Again, the search engine is your friend. I, personally, would discourage you, purely from experience.

[dounoharm]

heating is the whole issue with home greenhouses....or any gh for that matter....so many of our wonderful old greenhouse businesses have closed their doors due to heating expense and developments....

I had a nice gh in nc for a few years when I was staying with my dad....but it heated with propane, and I want to tell you THAT WAS HIGH PRICED!...I shut it down at $400 a month....just too dear....

here in texas, I have a lean-to heated with natural gas....that is great! it is protected on the north side by the house, and natural gas is cheap as dirt right now....the only way to go!

it doesn't matter how cold it is outside if you build correctly, and have enough capability with your heater....always get a bigger one than you think you need.... I keep an intermediate/warm house, and never get below 55 degrees....

your sheathing material is important! as you are in the colder clime, you will need thicker polycarbonate than I have here in texas (if you use poly, not glass) and, a good roof truss system, as it will carry the weight of snow....

lots to consider, but if you can swing it, DO IT! the joys of greenhouse gardening are immense!

you might need to talk to your local ag extension agent to get set up if you have never done a gh before....a lot of people get one, and experience the downside by not 'balancing' it correctly....

GOOD LUCK! and always get a bigger gh than you think you need.....lol

[Dollythehun]

"you might need to talk to your local ag extension agent to get set up if you have never done a gh before....a lot of people get one, and experience the downside by not 'balancing' it correctly...."

I didn't want to sow too much into this but here goes: donoharm is correct, get all the advice you can and sift it. Here in Northern Indiana, propane is cheaper in that you pay a service charge for any line not hooked to your house. This meant I was paying $55.00 every month for the privilege of having an extra line, even with nothing running. When I had my business, I wintered over a lot and ran at 34f in the winter. It made sense then.

I got my MA and switched careers sold the bigger house and put up a smaller free standing house 12'x26'?. There are lots of skins available. I wanted poly carb but the trucking costs were in the thousands and there was no way to get a truck that large to the site. So, I went with double wall poly. Remember also donoharm has the north wall shielded, this cuts the cost. And it is hooked to the home which makes it basically a lean-to.
Your cost will include concrete for the footings, heater, exhaust fans, circulating fans, benches and the list goes on...figure double what you plan on.
I am not trying to discourage you, however, I want you to realize this is a big project! Even putting up a smaller one was a huge deal.
If I were to do it again, and I might get the chance, I would put a walk out on the south side of a house, drain in the floor and heating tied to the house.
In the winter, when it is slippery and icy, you don't want to be hiking out to water your orchids. You will not be young forever...

[Edeke]

A very nice greenhouse energy calculator you find here, https://www.vcalc.com/wiki/KurtHeckm...use+Calculator

I am also researching for a greenhouse and bumped on it, maybe handy.

[dounoharm]

I drive around the countryside, wherever I happen to be....and here and there you see a house with a greenhouse! EMPTY! it does take some learning to get it right! most people let it get too sunny and dry, then experience an outbreak of nasty bugs.....and give up.....those little greenhouses you see are the worst culprits....they are almost impossible to regulate how hot and how cold efficiently....they use more energy than a bigger one....plan if you can for at least a 12 x 24.....I used farmtek to get equipment and such....good people there...good luck!

[Dollythehun]

It's because they are more work than they anticipated. Get all your facts before diving in and talk to growers around you who have one. Donoharm and my climates might be vastly different from yours.

[Bayard]

I got my 10 x 20 greenhouse from BC Greenhouses. It is five wall polycarbonate and attached to my garage. It faces South and is heated by a Southern Burner natural gas heater. Swamp cooler and overhead mister are a must in NJ summers. I get a lot of enjoyment out of my greenhouse, but it is a big investment. Do a lot of research!

[dounoharm]

oh gosh, I hope we aren't scaring you off! orchid folks are really zero'd in on their chosen environment...so, once you are up and running it isn't that bad....I love automation myself, everything runs on timers, humidistats and thermostats, so all I do is water...I like to water them and examine everything everyday....

so, just do your research on what greenhouse, how big, and get the ground ready....before you put orchids in, put some cheap plants in to make sure you have the temps under control....

good luck, and you can come ask here for any problems!