Glass Greenhouse - To much light for orchids?
 

I am very new at growing orchids. I have a unigue opportunity to build an orchid greenhouse using glass panels from an older greenhouse that has been dismantled. I plan to use these panels on the sides and and roof of the greenhouse. The greenhouse will be in full sun.

My concern is that there will be too much light with this type of construction. If year around shading cloth will be needed that defeats the purpose of glass and I would be better served by one of the plastic coverings that diffuse and limit the light.

I would be very interested in the opinion of anyone on this issue - either for or against an all glass structure.

Thanks,

Mike

Well as far as the lighting goes, where do you live. It makes a difference. I'm in NY State and I use a 30% shade cloth on my GH. I have a friend in NC that uses a 50%. Its all about location. The one thing I will say about a glass house is that you will have higher heating costs. You tend to lose a lot of heat through glass. Anyways, thats my 2 cents :)

Paul,

I live in East central Il.

I knew about the heating costs and that would definitely be a consideration.

Anyway thanks for your reply.

Mike

Mike: you can always white wash the panes of the greenhouse for the summer (& winter if necessary); I grow in Northern MI, and I use no shade cloth, those few orchid seedlings that I have which need less light I move under a bench for the summer...
Adam

I have glass panels in the walls and have to staple gun plastic over them outside for winter last winter one ripped part way off and the condensed moisture froze on the inside of the wall .
The roof is corrugated plastic ,a pool blanket is put on it for winter it looks like clear industrial strength bubble wrap . I think you would be safer with plastic on the roof especially if there are any trees near by . Gin

I have a greenhouse with glass windows and triple glazed clear acrylic roof. I think the roof is similar to glass in how much light it lets thru. It used to have a triple glazed real glass roof, but when the wooden beams rotted, we re-built using aluminum frame and this acrylic roof. Once spring is here and the snow off our roof, a shade cloth is required. I think ours is about 30 or 40%. We bought it from Lee Valley and had to sew about 3 of them together-big job. But it lasts for years and once fitted, is not too big a deal to put on in spring and take off in the fall. I think a greenhouse with glass would be more permanent than plastic and the benefit of real sunlight and daylight can't be beat. I still put some of my plants under lights in there but it is overall so nice and bright, so long as you protect the plants that don't need so much light.

3 strikes
...glass is heavy
...glass is dangerous when it breaks
...glass is expensive when it has to be replaced