The Greenhouse Remodel
 

My 'chids are spoiled, and demanded a greenhouse update! ;)

But, really... things were in desperate need for a change. I got a cheap 6x10 greenhouse from Costco last Summer and it took care of my orchids through the remainder of the Summer, and last winter... barely. Some of the things I thought would work great didn't, and it was time to fix things! So, over the last 3 days I have busted my butt with the help of my dear sweet hubby.

Things that had to be changed...
-Removed Bark on Floor. I thought it was a genius way to help keep humidity up. I have a dirt floor and had put down week fabric, but the bark at the bottoms begins to break down and attracts every bug within 10 miles of the 'chid house :(( A new layer of weed fabric has been laid down after the bark was shoveled out and river rocks are now the floor.
-Hung plastic sheeting to help filter the blistering hot sun here, and to better insulate. Temperature and humidity were impossible to regulate, so I'm hoping the rest of the Summer, and this Winter, will be much better! It ain't real pretty, but it does the job.
-Fix the shade fabric over the top. It had gotten pulled and warped and was letting direct sunlight in and the many of my 'chids have suffered sunburn.
-Changed height of the shelves.

The first two pictures are the Greenhouse last summer. The next 3 are from yesterday and today. By the time I was moving the orchids back in, the sun was pretty low in the sky... hence that picture being much darker. :) My picky little 'chids are already thanking me... well, at least in my mind they are! :biggrin:

very nice little greenhouse!!! I really want one myself to replace the one that IKE took down for me...just don't have the money or the time right now being a single orchid dad :)...my girl doesn't care for plants much and its time I find one that does to be honest..I need some damn help!!!..bet you cant wait to go shopping and fill it up :) I think that 60% shadecloth would be better over the green house than the plastic IMO...but I dont know what all the details are in your area..I keep telling people GREENHOUSE and they say no In Texas you need a SHADEHOUSE :)..okey I know what I meant and I meant SHADEHOUSE...I migh have to sell my tele since I dont watch it anymore and get me one them SHADEHOUSE kits :)

looks good, but the last pic looks like youhave less space than the first pic

So very cool. I have massive greenhouse envy. Looks like you did a great job with the renovations and I'm sure the collection will thank you. The machine in the back right corner - is it an evaporative cooler or a portable a/c unit?

Good luck!

- J

RJSquirrel - Your post made me smile :) "single orchid dad.." lol But yes, there is shade cloth on the outside. The plastic is on the inside because 1. the shade cloth alone wasn't cutting it, and 2. I needed some insulation.

help - I think it's just camera trickery. I actually have more space now since the benches are a bit higher and all one level instead of tiered I can put stuff under them too and have gained space that was once blocked off by having that second shelf lower. Plus, I was able to wiggle the shelves all the way to the edges, and actually gained a couple inches in the walkway! :biggrin:

jrodpad - Thanks. The unit in the back is an evap cooler. That panel of the greenhouse is the only one that isn't caulked in and lined with the plastic sheeting since the cooler sits in it to suck in dry outside air. During the winter the cooler comes out and the solid panel goes back in.

There is a single line of tubing along the peak of the GH with 5 nozzles for misting. The fan in the back does a good job at dispersing the cool air from the cooler all throughout the greenhouse.

nice job nicole! you are doing a good job at learning greenhouse management! looks like you figured out about the bark....thats a pain in the butt, the river rock will do well.....good choice....i am sure your orchids are thanking you!!

Very nice. I like you idea for the shelves.

looks good Nichole!

Thanks... the bark sure was pretty though! lol The river rock looks better when wet... maybe I'll just stand in there with the hose all day and keep watering it down! :rofl:
They are my hubby's doing. He built them out of 2x4's... way more sturdy than I would ever need, but I like the security. We just sat them up on cinder blocks so I can change the height when ever I want.
Thanks! I spent quite a bit of time in there today... here are some pictures of it with a bit more light :)

Greenhouses must be alot of work, but I bet its all worth the attention it needs. You must be loving this Nicole :) I think it looks super! :)