The Ultimate Outdoor Orchid House - Orchid Board

Paul Mc · #1 03-16-2012, 07:59 AM

Ok, so I'm taking the plunge and I'd like to enlist all of you wonderful, knowledgeable people with my project. I have contacted my construction friend about this project and we will be meeting in about a week or two to go over specifics of building a lathe type house for my 'chids.

So to kick off the conversation, here is what I am considering thus far. Any input would be greatly appreciated, and remember this is a bit on a budget, lol...

1.) There needs to be some sort of roof to keep rain water, hail and branches from the tree in the back yard falling into the orchid house during storms. However, I know a lot of people prefer allowing rain to fall on their orchids. What are your thoughts about this? If there is no roof, then my orchids that would be sensitive to crown rot like phal's would not be placed out there.

2.) What kind of wood and sealer should be used? It has been suggested using cedar as it is readily available in this area. I'm concerned about toxicity factors though.

3.) I'm thinking that the shelves would need to be slightly slanted to keep water from standing on them. Do you believe this is a good idea?

4.) I would like to find a way to keep all of the orchids from moving around during strong winds and storms. Also, I'd like to keep the racoons, squirrels and birds out of them. So, I'm considering some sort of screen door type structure. If they should move around, at least they would not fall off of the shelves. I think they might move around a bit as I'm attempting to build a structure that will accomodate more than I currently own, lol...

5.) Any suggestions on pest control, i.e. slugs and snails? I know aluminum foil keeps them at bay, but how would I incorporate something into the structure to help keep them away? Is that even possible?

6.) Mounted and baskets, how do you ensure the wind will not blow them around or off of your hangers? Originally, I was considering round bars of wood like you would see in a closet to hang your clothes on. However, I'm not so sure that would be the best option.

7.) A friend at our local OS says he uses an outdoor fan and has misters set to go off to help raise humidity and lower temperature. What are your thoughts on this? I've never used either for my orchids before, and I'm hoping the Orchid House would be open enough to allow wind to travel through it. But I'd rather be safe than sorry. Getting an electrical line run out there would be relatively easy, but a water line would have to be figured out. There will be a garden hose next to the building although the hook up for it is about 10 yards away. It's a 50 yard hose.

Any other thoughts and/or insights about construction would be greatly appreciated.

BTW, I'm hoping for an Arts & Crafts/Frank Lloyd Wright feel with a dash of Japanese construction thrown in for good measure. That should match the construction style of the house I live in quite nicely. But again, I'm attempting to do this on a budget so I can't get too fancy. The more fancy it gets, the more it will cost obviously.

Daethen · #2 03-16-2012, 10:17 AM

I am eager to hear the answers you get. I am in the middle of making a small shade house myself. I have managed to use almost nothing that has cost me money! I will be posting pics of my process soon.

Gage · #3 03-16-2012, 11:08 AM

I would prefer not to have anything rained on.

Furthermore, it sounds like you need a greenhouse.

Phal grower · #4 03-16-2012, 12:42 PM

I built a lath house years ago on a budget. Every thing I do seems to be on budget he he. It was 8ft. by 8ft. cube (not much style but you could dress it up I guess). The reason for 8x8ft. is that you waste very little material because lath comes in 4x8ft. sheets. You could always go larger, 8x12ft. but you get the idea. I also built mine under a tree for extra shade and keep the temps down. I think where you position it will be very important in regards to temps, light and wind and I'm sure you're considering that. I also ran misting system on a timer operated valve and it wasn't to difficult or costly as I remember. Good luck.

Arenalbotanicalgarden · #5 03-16-2012, 01:57 PM

Forget wood. Use galv steel studs and screw the lath on with galv screws. Put the sides together, 6 mil UVR plastic on the roof, THEN
Put the roof lath on. Use a steep a pitch as possible and still pleasant to look at.

Wjs2nd · #6 03-16-2012, 02:29 PM

The mist king system pulls water from a bucket so all you would have to do is fill up a bucket. Plus, it can run dry without damage.

For a roof you could use that coragated plastic/fiber glass.

Cedar isn't toxic to plants, especially if it's been aged outside a little.

Putting the shelfs on a angle isn't a bed idea. Just angle the wood so if anything falls it falls towards the wall and not off the shelf.

I would put a bar from one end to the other and use that for your baskets.

Paul Mc · #7 03-17-2012, 09:20 AM

Thanks for all of the suggestions thus far everyone.

So, would the galvanized metal keep snails and slugs at bay then?

I'm now thinking a roof is a good idea, and I can always add the mist system at a later date. But I was just curious if there were truly any benefits to having a mist system outside? Of course, if I'm going to go that route, I'd want to have a built in cabinet somewhere to hide all of the hosing and the bucket. The guy I hired to construct this works for the pro PGA tournaments, so hiding things in construction is sort of his speciality.

So I'm thinking a decorative stone base (2 tall at about 1 foot or less each) and then cedar for the rest of it. I'll have to see about the roof. Is the point of the plastic to allow light in but filtered?

Arenalbotanicalgarden · #8 03-17-2012, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

Thanks for all of the suggestions thus far everyone.

So, would the galvanized metal keep snails and slugs at bay then?

I'm now thinking a roof is a good idea, and I can always add the mist system at a later date. But I was just curious if there were truly any benefits to having a mist system outside? Of course, if I'm going to go that route, I'd want to have a built in cabinet somewhere to hide all of the hosing and the bucket. The guy I hired to construct this works for the pro PGA tournaments, so hiding things in construction is sort of his speciality.

So I'm thinking a decorative stone base (2 tall at about 1 foot or less each) and then cedar for the rest of it. I'll have to see about the roof. Is the point of the plastic to allow light in but filtered?

The plastic is so YOU control the water.It has nothing to do with shade. Putting it under the lath reduces the UV attacking it, giving it a few more years before it dries out and begins to break apart.
Having the lath screwed on, as opposed to nails or staples in wood, allows you to unscrew it and replace the plastic.In florida 6 mil UVR lasts about 6 years when placed under shade or lath.

Cedar is a light wood and quite resistant to rot and insects.BUT, The steel studs will handle those crazy midwest storm bursts you guys get and not get moldy(ugly).A steel framed lath house, screwed together, will take 160mph winds. I know from Hurricane Andrew in 1992. The houses crumbled. My orchid house stood proud, albeit twisted a bit.

Lay up 3 courses of block, on a 18 by 12 inch footer , with a 6 inch tie beam on top, mount the studs on that, then get some cut stone(flagstone or ???) and veneer it outside. Your builder will likely agree.
How big do you plan on building it ?

Paul Mc · #9 03-17-2012, 12:45 PM

Thank you!!!

4ft deep x 8 foot wide x about 8ft high though height still yet has to be determined.

Arenalbotanicalgarden · #10 03-17-2012, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

Thank you!!!

4ft deep x 8 foot wide x about 8ft high though height still yet has to be determined.

If you make the total height of the sidewalls 6 feet and the center peak at 9 feet , you'll have a real nice pitch.
If you have the room to go six feet "deep" it'll allow you 18 inch benches/shelves all the way around with room to walk and work.
Go to the building supply and toss a 4 by 8 sheet of plywood on the ground and stand on it. Pretty tight ! 6 feet wide makes all the difference in the world.