Greenhouse guesswork
 

Well, I got through winter with $300 a month elec. bills :shock:. Now it looks like spring is here finally... The sun here in Central Oregon can get pretty intense even when its only 76 degrees. After finding a few fried leaves and panic setting in it was off to Home Depot for shade cloth. I purchased yards of the stuff and hung it inside the GH using velcro works pretty good. I think though that by the time summer gets here with its 90 degree days I will drape shade cloth over the top of the GH. Opening both windows on each end and turning on the large fan it keeps the air moving very well. Most of my chids are in s/h and dry out soooo fast. I will take some photo's tomorrow and post them. Most chids are doing fine but some are loosing ground.
Sheridan

Hang in there Sheridan. I have outside shade cloth and then put some home depot shade cloth on the inside over my phals and paphs. This year things are really doing well. So now I have had the gh for 14 months and have lots of spikes and blooms. Do you have a swamp cooler attached? It sure helps to cool my house down. Betty

Hi Betty I don't have a swamp cooler but I do have a misting system. I do need to up the time the mister is on.
Other then that lots of new roots and leaves but no spikes.:(

Sheridan

My plants are in S/H on hot days I mist at 11:00 am and 2:00 Pm for 3 min. During hot part of summer with long days I add a 3rd at 4 pm Keeps the Leica fairly moist. I use a couple spinner heads used in drip irrigation they do great.

Hi Benny that sounds good. My mister goes on every two hours for just a few seconds. I need to increase the duration its on. The mister does cool things down I enjoy being in there when it goes on.

Sheridan :waving

Oh I think I made a mistake on your name Bob I used the name on the bottom of your post. :blushing: DUH!!!

Sheridan

As the weather gets hotter you need to increase your time Be sure your mist is not hitting your thermostat I wil cause it to read too cool and shut down your fan which is not what you need.

Growing in sh has a great advantage its really hard to over water as long as everything is dry at night and you have good air curculation alls good.

Greenhouse Guesswork Update
 

Ok Folks I finally got some pictures of the greenhouse and the chids inside. Not much going on inside the few flowers where already blooming or in spike when I got them.
I am guessing that because I moved them from inside the house to the GH it may have set them back a bit. Am I wrong? I can't wait until these babies start to bloom. Can someone tell me if the roots growing on the cane is the start of a new baby??

Enjoy the photo's :blushing:

Sheridan

Sheriden. I love that Den. The color is so cheerful. Thanks for the pics of inside your greenhouse with the plants. It looks like you have really taken advantage of all the space. Looks great.

Marilyn

Thanks Marilyn its still a work in progress. I really don't think the work is ever finished do you ;)

Sheridan

Sure looks like the start of a keiki to me. Give it a month or two and you've got another plant! The gh looks great. Looks like you have room for more plants. We have our Orchid show this coming weekend. Why don't you jump in the car and visit. Betty

starting to fill up looks really good you did a great job

Thanks for the comments Bob....

Betty I would love to go to an orchid show. I just got back from driving up to Olympia, WA from Redmond, OR to visit my mom. I am beat tired.

Let me know if there are any other shows coming up your way.

Sheridan

Well here is another bit of guesswork regarding shade cloth. In my GH I have been using black shade cloth but I am getting ready to purchase larger amounts to drape over the outside of the GH. What color shade cloth would any of you use I know they have black, tan and green.

Any suggestions????

Thanks Sheridan :scratchhead:

I don't think it makes any difference on color percentage of shade is what you are looking for I use 60% shade

Aluminet - it reflects the suns rays for additional cooling.

Brooke

Bob & Brooke thanks for the tips. I will check out that Aluminet....

Sheridan

If I remember correctly, FarmTek.com had the best price for our Aluminet shade cloth. They have outstanding service.

Brooke

OMG! I can't believe I found a new spike started :D I have waited so long for something to happen in that GH.
Photo #1 & #3 new spike
Photo #2 Not sure what this is???

I also have a Phal. Noid that had 3 spikes which are done flowering BUT I had put some Keiki paste on them and now I see that I have more spikes coming. Oh Yeah! :biggrin:



Sheridan:banana::yikes:

All 3 are new spikes starting! :cheer: Good job!

Thanks Terri I was not sure on the 2nd photo cause it looked so much like a new leaf but it was in the wrong place.

Sheridan

Nice discussion all! We do get so excited about neew growths on our plants, don't we. Like we are expecting new babies - great fun, Keeps us hoping and joyful.

About an earlier post - when we move our children from inside the house to the GH, they get much more light than they used to, so it is important to help them transition. Good job putting up shade cloth. I concur - the aluminet is the best - reflects out heat and harmful sun in summer, and also helps insulate warmth in winter. Farmtek is the best resource - great prices and service.

Happy growing everyone! Be frutiful and may your plants multiply!

Don in CA

Thanks Don in CA

Sheridan :waving

Well I took your advice and ordered Aluminet from Farmtek. They are great there and so helpful. I spoke with a gal named Karen and she was great. I ordered a 6.5 x 15 piece of Aluminet and they are banding it and will put gromits on it as well. I was really surprised they didn't even ask for a credit card :shock: she just said it will ship in 5 days and there will be an invoice in the box and you can pay for it when it arrives. Unbelievable in this day and age not having to pay for something first...

It was a pleasant experience for sure.

Sheridan

Farm Tek is a great company - glad you have a good experience with them.

Brooke