First Greenhouse - Location?
 

Hi everyone. I'm getting my very first greenhouse, and I'm so so excited. However, I'm confused as to where to put it.

I understand it needs lots of light. However, I'm only going to use it for orchids, and most orchids can't take direct sunlight. I keep seeing location directions that say to put it in direct sunlight, especially morning and early afternoon. But then I have to buy a shade cloth to protect the orchids.

Why not just place it in bright shade and not have to shade it? Any advice would be very appreciated.

It's easier to put it in a spot that's too bright and then limit the light yourself through shade cloth, placing plants under benches, etc. If you put it where there isn't enough light for a plant, there isn't enough light unless you run more electricity.

In our yard, we have lots of bright shade, but not much direct sunlight. (We have very tall trees that are pretty old.) I guess I need to know how much direct sunlight (if any) my orchids actually need.

I agree with the "as bright as possible" location.

Trees change. Sunlight is going to be sunlight year after year. Besides, trees are dirty, so if they are your shade, you're going to be spending a lot of time cleaning the glazing.

Hmm. That's very true. Thank you both for the advice!

It also depends what type of orchids you grow and might want to try in the future. For example, Cattleyas, Vandas, some Den's require fairly high light. Whereas Phals, Paphs, Masdevalias need less light and some need cooler or warmer temps than others. You can usually create some microclimates within the greenhouse to deal with some of these differences.

I went for the semi-shaded spot for mine in the gap between my house and the neighbours. As it turned out it actually gets much more light than expected and I still have to shade it. Anyway I agree that bright then shading gives most control.

How much your orchids need depends on the orchid. I have some which I put in direct light in the brightest spot in the garden and one is still not getting enough to flower. It all depends what you grow.