No greenhouse now - Orchid Board

Jerry · #1 07-17-2011, 02:06 PM

I have a large orchid collection, all kinds, some specimens.
I am moving to a house with no greenhouse.
Can anyone advise me how I can save my plants?

fishmommy · #2 07-17-2011, 02:25 PM

if you have a basement or spare room you can turn it into a nice grow room using HPS or MH lighting, a humidifier, and some fans.

WhiteRabbit · #3 07-17-2011, 04:14 PM

To where are you moving? if you will still be in a warm area, I'm sure many can be grown outdoors

If not a warm climate, I do know a number of OB members have an indoor grow room, basement, closets, and I'm sure they can advise on how they have it set up

gl! (hope you are able to keep your orchids!)

dounoharm · #4 07-17-2011, 04:30 PM

you will have to purchase grow light setups and humidity trays and set them up in a room or basement....some can grow in a window, but if you have a large collection, you cant put em all there....you can try to sell some on ebay if you feel like you have too many....sorry about your loss....gl

Leafmite · #5 07-17-2011, 05:33 PM

Terrible news! I am so sorry. I hope you can use lights, build an addition (sun-room) or find some solution. Like others have suggested, you could try grow lights. There are some good LED ones that aren't too expensive, according to the speaker at our last society meeting. Not all brands are equal but undoubtably there are people who can recommend the ones that work well. My father-in-law got permits and had some wall torn out for full-length windows. Wishing you success!
Good luck!
Leafmite

Call_Me_Bob · #6 07-17-2011, 07:19 PM

ill echo others, and say that an indoor light garden seems to be the answer. unless its warm where you are moving, at least in the summer. if the conditions are right outdoors year round where you are moving, many people have shadehouses they grow in. if its only warm in the summer, you can summer them outdoors and grow under lights during winter. if the conditoins arent right ever, you can keep them under the lights year round. you could get HPS, MH, or flourescent lights ( t5 would be best)

orchids3 · #7 07-17-2011, 09:16 PM

I moved from California to Connecticut one June - and moved into a rented home without a greenhousee. Had several hundred plants back then.
The landlord gave me permission to build a temp. greenhouse - it was made over a PVC Pipe Frame (1 1/2 Inch) and used two layers of Grafflin with air blown between - A trench was dug and the Grafflin placed into it. The dirt from the trench was backfilled over the planstic (grafflin). I devised layers of metal around stove pipe exits and used a regular storm door. It was 17 below that winter and I got up a lot of nights to push the snow off the greenhouse so it didnt collapse. After I retirred from that Connecticut company I tied a snow showel to the front of my car and drove south till I found a place where people didnt know what it was. Thats where I live now - Florida.

Jerry · #8 07-18-2011, 01:07 PM

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions, unfortunately I have over 200 plants, and the greenhouse is 22'-0" long with double tables and is full, so I dont think I can keep them indoors.
I have put them for sale in the classifieds.
This economy is a bitch.
Jerry

zxyqu · #9 07-18-2011, 01:37 PM

It just occurred to me that you could try something. Talk to a local orchid society where you are moving. You may get lucky to A: sell some, or B: get some space at a local nursery where you can house them. I dont know how many do this, but I've gotta imagine there are some places that might.

sii · #10 07-18-2011, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions, unfortunately I have over 200 plants, and the greenhouse is 22'-0" long with double tables and is full, so I dont think I can keep them indoors.
I have put them for sale in the classifieds.
This economy is a bitch.
Jerry

That's to bad.

Maybe you could take some pictures as a memory of all the good growing you've done.

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