Dream Greenhouse? - Orchid Board

reinbo15 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-30-2007, 09:04 PM

I'm trying to plan out my dream greenhouse. A retail greenhouse, mostly for orchids, but including lots of interesting tropicals as well. I don't get to realize my dream until after I graduate, but I do have to price it out for a class I'm taking. Can anyone recommend a style of greenhouse that is particularly suited to orchid growing? I am finding so many to choose from with far too many options, and I don't know what to go with! Is one shape, rounded or A-framed, better? I'm so lost! I have to plan it out right down to where I'm building it, and all equipment (i.e. benches, heaters, cooling) that will go in it. If you were building your dream retail greenhouse, and money wasn't an issue (since it's imaginary) what would you go with? Any help, like what type of heater is best, would be SO appreciated! I thank you in advance!

Lisa

Becca · #2 (**permalink**) 08-30-2007, 11:33 PM

Hi Lisa! Oh how fun to plan something like that. I don't have any suggestions for you at the moment since I am afraid I would actually try and go through with it if I had a actual plan...lol. Anyways...I have just one request. When you are finished creating your dream greenhouse for school....could you share it all with us?

Charles · #3 (**permalink**) 08-31-2007, 08:17 AM

I would suggest first determining the coldest environment in your location. Then figure out how many BTU's it will take to get the job done. Then split that in at least three, go to some industrial heater sites and pick out a reasonable model. Decide on gas, or electric and don't forget your circulation. And don't forget your humidifier and your exhaust fans. String the whole thing through a thermostat and bingo.

As for the shape of the house? Think about what you are growing and then imagine caring for thousands of them every day. Should they be in racks? Make a tall house. If they hang, wide and long. Maybe levels. What shape plants will be grown? Isles for walking and don't forget your sprinkler/watering system. Fertilizer. Done.

Projects usually go well with a door too. Window panels for air?

Dorothy · #4 (**permalink**) 08-31-2007, 10:27 AM

I think this is ingenious and cost effective - but it's just the shell - check out the 5th post down - Greenhouse materials?

Motile4ek · #5 (**permalink**) 09-04-2007, 12:06 AM

Hi Lisa,
How exciting!!
Yeh I agree with Charles you should find the coldest environment in your location. And the biggest windows...

reinbo15 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-08-2007, 10:19 PM

Those are excellent suggestions to help me get started! Right now I am stuck on pricing out a property to place this imaginary greenhouse on. Wow, is land ever expensive! It's good to know, though, since I'll be paying it either way when I get to build the real thing.

stonedragonfarms · #7 (**permalink**) 09-14-2007, 01:49 PM

Sounds like you are in Hort 301 or something...

I'd like to add a couple of thoughts though.
Perhaps before you look at your coldest growing location, you should decide what sort of plants you aim to grow: I grow in a quonset style house in northern michigan (where we are routinely below 0F most of January & Februaury), but I grow primarily cymbidiums, masdevallias & nobile type dendrobiums. The point being, I maintain a cold house (48F night temp) which requires far less heat than if you aim to grow something like Phrags/Cattleya (which I would grow in an intermediate house, 60F at night or so) or Phalaenopsis which would require even warmer night temps. The warmer growing the group you intend to cultivate, the more of an expense heating will be...conversely, if you are aiming to grow cooler growing plants in a warm climate (say cymbidiums in arizona), you are going to need to adjust for cooling expenses...
Now that you know what you want to grow, where do you aim to locate your gh? Will it be in a municipal area or outside of town? The zoning here would have been a nightmare for me to contend with; while land outside of town is more expensive by some rights, the zoning is relatively lax...there are trade offs to either...
Finally...what do you see as the time scope for the business? Do you anticipate maintaining a nursery for a long period of time...or just a few years? If you are in it for the long haul, can you build your greenhouse in stages? Most of the quonset style houses can be added to in length as needed... Alternately, if you are planning on operating for a short period of time, why buy a piece of land or the equipment? In that case I would most likely lease a piece of land and the GH as well...
Just a few more wrenches in the gears...and my 2cents.
Adam

cneos · #8 (**permalink**) 09-14-2007, 06:16 PM

Make sure you include a generator in your plans.
Automation, heating, cooling, lights, etc all need electricity

reinbo15 · #9 (**permalink**) 09-14-2007, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stonedragonfarms

Sounds like you are in Hort 301 or something...Adam

HRT 221, actually. I'm modeling my idea after our orchid collection greenhouse here at MSU. I want to be able to grow the widest range of orchids possible. At the risk of sounding cheesy, my goal is to bring the most amazing plants I can possibly find to anyone. Good orchid retailers are very few and far between, and lucky me if I can step into that role successfully. For me it is ultimately a lifetime commitment. Once the houses go up, I'm in, so I want to plan it all out right. Right now it's just for a class, but it's going to help me later on.

Lisa

Ross · #10 (**permalink**) 09-14-2007, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stonedragonfarms

Sounds like you are in Hort 301 or something...

I'd like to add a couple of thoughts though.
Perhaps before you look at your coldest growing location, you should decide what sort of plants you aim to grow: I grow in a quonset style house in northern michigan (where we are routinely below 0F most of January & Februaury), but I grow primarily cymbidiums, masdevallias & nobile type dendrobiums. The point being, I maintain a cold house (48F night temp) which requires far less heat than if you aim to grow something like Phrags/Cattleya (which I would grow in an intermediate house, 60F at night or so) or Phalaenopsis which would require even warmer night temps. The warmer growing the group you intend to cultivate, the more of an expense heating will be...conversely, if you are aiming to grow cooler growing plants in a warm climate (say cymbidiums in arizona), you are going to need to adjust for cooling expenses...
Now that you know what you want to grow, where do you aim to locate your gh? Will it be in a municipal area or outside of town? The zoning here would have been a nightmare for me to contend with; while land outside of town is more expensive by some rights, the zoning is relatively lax...there are trade offs to either...
Finally...what do you see as the time scope for the business? Do you anticipate maintaining a nursery for a long period of time...or just a few years? If you are in it for the long haul, can you build your greenhouse in stages? Most of the quonset style houses can be added to in length as needed... Alternately, if you are planning on operating for a short period of time, why buy a piece of land or the equipment? In that case I would most likely lease a piece of land and the GH as well...
Just a few more wrenches in the gears...and my 2cents.
Adam

Adam, I'd still like to know where you are. I wouldn't mind comparing notes with you.