Need greenhouse help, please
 

Hello, my husband and I are getting ready to move from Miami, Fl. to Colorado. We will be bringing our children -about 450+ orchids and our dog - with us. :-) Most of our orchids are hanging under a pergola outside (approx. 500 sq ft) that wraps the side and back area of our home. The pergola is long and narrow.

My husband is convinced he needs a 14 ft x 30 ft greenhouse, but I think that's a lot more than we need! We've spoken with a couple of greenhouse companies already, BUT I'M HOPING SOMEONE CAN HELP US DETERMINE WHAT SIZE WE NEED. Also, any greenhouse company recommendations is VERY APPRECIATED, along with suggestions on greenhouse necessities and amenities.

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE! Wishing all a peaceful holiday season!

First, Welcome!

My advice with regard to greenhouse (or any other growing area) is, figure out what you think you need, and double it. Plants grow (taking up more space as they do), and of course there are new acquisitions. Everybody experiences "running out of room", usually sooner than later.

Unless you grow only mini- and micro- orchids (I suspect not) that 14 x 30 GH will fill up fast.

I agree with R, get the biggest greenhouse you can afford and don’t skimp on the heating system.

And have a backup plan for heating in case of power failure or other disaster (like a portable propane heater that doesn't need a fan to work). When temperatures are far below freezing, there is little or no margin for error. You can get away with 6 hours of no electricity in Florida, in Colorado in winter if your heater needs it, not so much. Here's a handy calculator for estimating how much heater you need. Greenhouse Heater Size Calculator from ACF Greenhouses

If I were making your move I would think first about what size greenhouse suits your property and gives you good space around it. Then I would cut my collection down till I had a small, well curated collection that thrives in that space.

I suspect you will loose a lot in the move anyway.

Like they said build it as big as your budget and lot will allow. Grower Solutions out of Tennessee and the Mega Greenhouse Store have budget friendly kits for sale, that you can build your self without more experience, but you will need to customize the basic kits. How much sqft of porch do you have now? That will give you an idea of how much area you will need, and double it. You will need certain options on your greenhouse to Coloradoize it, at least 6 mil double poly the roof and sides w/blower and 8mm polycarbonate end walls, a good insulated door, to keep as much heat in. A good Modine gas heater, either natural gas or propane. You will spend half of the year trying to kind as much heat in the house and other half of the year trying to get the heat out of the house. Don’t forget shade cloth and some ventilation, It will get hot in the summer.

I have a 10x20 lean-to greenhouse and it is filled with about 200 plants. The glazing is 5 wall polycarbonate with natural gas heat - it recently went down to 12F here in New Jersey. I use an evaporative cooler with a hydrofogger in Summer as well as aluminized shade cloth to keep temps below 85F. A larger greenhouse will keep temperature swings smaller due to the larger air mass. Don’t forget fans for air circulation. I recommend B C Greenhouse Builders in Canada. Our house would blow away before the greenhouse due to the sturdy construction. I also have a backup generator in case the power fails and a Sensaphone that calls up to three people if the temperature goes out of range. Good luck!