Would this work?

[Thyroyalgeek]

I know the title is kind of silly, but I would really love to have a little tropical space, (bigger than some tiny 8 × 6, like some people have, something more around the means of 20 × 15), and considering the fact that more mass holds heat, that would probably be more practical anyway. So I enjoy things like aroids, orchids, and bromeliads, (tropicals etc.) but that won't really work here where it gets 3° in the coldest of winters, so......... I am VERY determined to grow them. My desk is currently being taken up by plants, and I am getting a bit of an orchid enthusiast, wanting things like gongora, masdevallia, encyclia and such but can't because 90℅ humidity just really messes up a house. The idea is an underground greenhouse, basically, and it seems to be pretty efficient if well built, so how would an earth-bermed greenhouse, with several water barrels about 10' deep, with a cold sink work? Would it stay relatively even with temperature/humidity and little electrical heating? I really do want this to be able to work if I build it, I'm starting to get discouraged having people say, why don't you just grow "normal plants", like vegetables and regular flowers, just in the summer?

[estación seca]

Gongora and Encyclia don't need 90% humidity. 50% will be enough. The problem with any sunken building is keeping ground water out. It's not a trivial problem. It would need careful engineering.

Do you have a basement? It would be easier to make a growing space there rather than an outdoor greenhouse in a cold-climate area.

[Thyroyalgeek]

When I said 90℅ I was kind of speaking a little overboard, so sorry, don't know what I was thinking there, (would probably be a breeding ground for fungal growth.... ) My dad doesn't want any plants in the house, except my desk, which is like a greenhouse shelf, and we don't really have a basement, either. Yes, flooding would be a major problem, especially in the rainy season, but it does have solutions.....

[estación seca]

Building a greenhouse is quite expensive. Building one far below grade would be even more expensive, as it would require a lot of engineering, and more expensive materials. It can certainly be done.

[fishmom]

A man named Jacob Brecht spoke to our OS about building a growing space without using a greenhouse. He has some interesting ideas about using insulation, reflected light and heat, etc. If you do a search for his name, you can find a summary of his presentation. There may be something you can use.

PDF]february 2015 - Diablo View Orchid Society

[Thyroyalgeek]

Truly sorry about not responding earlier, but when I said underground, I meant with the roof running horizontal to the ground up a hill, but I have finally gotten my parents on board to turn my closet into a small grow room, instead of building a small greenhouse, so I won't have orchids scattered around in different places ( especially since I showed them the building price, much less heating it, . Does anyone have any recommendations? I'm planning to use t5 halides to grow them with as well as a fan, and an ultrasonic humidifier. Sorry about the change in plans, this thread probably doesn't really belong in GREENHOUSE gardening anymore, does it...........

[dounoharm]

orchid growing....I consider it a disease...it bites you HARD! a greenhouse is wonderful, I have built all sorts all over the usa....mostly poor little plastic houses with scrap lumber and wishes, lol....

once upon a time, I studied horticulture, and learned a bit of gh management...and also had the pleasure of learning how to run a cut flower (orchid end) business....and so the travels begin!

o ne thing I have learned, is that your collection has to live together in its space...a large gh will allow for more species and varieties, as lots of orchids like different conditions....

at the moment, I only have an 8x16 lean to construction. it is not in the best location so I am rather limited in my choice of plant....my main love is cattleyas, big floofy ones! so they mostly all hang high in the rafters, with smaller plants on the benches. I do have a few slippers that I am going to put on the lower shelves, giving me a choice of 3 'ecosystems'

so, with a closet construction, I suggest to start with your very favorite species, and slowly add to that....use lots of fans! good luck and good growing!

[Thyroyalgeek]

Yes good air circulation is definitely a must, especially with the new genus I'm hoping to grow.... (bulbophyllum)
Also, a large greenhouse would probably be better as I grow many different things, from spiranthes, to bletilla, to colmanara. But, I will have to make due with what I've got. (but it sure is better than having an orchid in every other room, windowsill, and desk, .

[estación seca]

If you're starting with lights, skip T5HO and go directly to LED. Not only are T5HOs very hot, they are less efficient than LEDs.

[Thyroyalgeek]

Really, I've always heard that halides are way better!? Thanks, that helps alot. Any particular brand/type you suggest?