Shade House/Portable Greenhouse
 

I move my orchids outdoors for the summer. Last year I used the front stoop (which is shaded) but my collection has grown to the point where the stoop will not serve. So, I was planning to buy a shade house, like this one (I am not at all handy)

10' x 10' 50% Shade House: Portable Canopies and Shelters from Shelterworld

However, I think 10 X 10 might be a little big for my needs, so while looking at alternatives, I came upon this:

Amazon.com: OrchidHouse Greenhouse: Patio, Lawn & Garden

Does anyone have any experience with this thing? Worth buying? Junk? Better/Worse than a frame with shade cloth (in winter the orchids will come back inside).

Also, what percentage shade cloth should I get . . . I have everything from Brassovolas to Paphs . . there's some natural shade, and of course I'll use the bigger brighter light plants to shade the others . . . and possibly leave a side open for the bright light lovers . . . but what should be my default?

Thanks!

One thing to think about with that small greenhouse is it will heat up very very quickly in summer. Unless you have dappled shade from a large oak or something to shelter it for the majority of the day i think it may end up being an orchid oven.

I would go with the 10x10 or bigger shadehouse and set up a chair or hammock in there to escape the direct sun on those lazy summer afternoons. That way you wont be pressed for space if you get more orchids or if you want to work with the micro-climates inside the structure.

I share the concern about the oven. I've been looking at the slightly larger models, which seem have lots of venting.

Here's the problem: I have limited space, and I can only get one thing. I'm inclined towards the shadehouse, but the little greenhouse would extend the time I can keep them inside. As for the future, this is something of a stopgap until I get my own house (I rent) and a real greenhouse.

This is the one I bought we are going to beef it up and lash it to the chain link fence also use rope to lash the top down and drive steel posts in the ground to anchor it too . I am going to put the plants in so I can scrub the green house down, won't change the top to clear with shade they wont be in it that long .
ShelterLogic Max AP 12Ft.W Canopy — 26ft.L x 12ft.W x 9ft. 6in.H, 10-Leg, Model# 30777 | Max - 1 3/8in. Dia. Frame Canopies | Northern Tool + Equipment

My concern is not only the heat from the smaller one during the summer, but the freakin' price!!!

Can you really afford to buy a tiny shade house for roughly the same price you'd pay for the larger one?!

If it were me, I'd make the 10 x 10 fit, if I were paying almost the same price!

IK got one of these several years ago stores easly Does a nice job fof 150.00 or less I got mine at sams club

Texsport Highgrove Screen Arbor 13 x 10