Am I nuts?

[Pattywack]

I have been reading over many many threads here about growing in greenhouses. I also see so many members grow outside when the winter is finally gone. So.....I am looking to buy a 6X6 greenhouse to put on our deck, for the growing season only. An orchid vacation resort if you will.

Our deck is big, a lot of open space for a small greenhouse. The deck is on the south side of our home and also on the second story. There are no trees close enough to provide any shade so shade cloth will be needed. We plan to attach the greenhouse to the decking. We live out in the county, on a public golf course, lots of fresh air and light breezes. I am in central Maryland.

I mostly grow miniatures, I know right, how much room could I need? I have a few larger orchids and hope to add a few more along with other plants, maybe ferns, I love ferns. Anyway, bottom line is I need to control myself and not go too crazy as all of my plants will move back inside before cold weather comes. I love the idea of a large greenhouse where I could grow year around but that isn't what I'm looking for. This is really just a growing season idea for me. Our deck is off of our main level living area and used often. A small greenhouse would be a awesome addition.

I'm looking at a Palram mythos twin wall 6X6 greenhouse. Any thoughts?

[Ray]

Question #1 - if they are only going to be out in the summer, why are you enclosing your plants? An enclosure like that will only serve to make the plants hot, and the roof vent will not allow any augmenting of humidity or exclusion of bugs.

I'd recommend a PVC frame and shade cloth, and let 'em breathe.

[Pattywack]

Hmmm, good point. However I plan to use this spring, summer and fall. I realize spring has all but passed this year.

In my opinion my plants are already enclosed growing inside, with the AC set to 70. Most of them are in terrarium/greenhouse settings, just smaller in size. I mist them daily and water the bigger ones weekly or more if needed. I have several in windows. I really feel the plants will benefit from being outside. There is an option for an additional vent to be added if needed and the door can be left open as well. Humidity can be raised many ways if necessary, it's pretty humid here to begin with especially in the summer. Not happy with the idea of bugs, guess that can be addressed as well.

[Paphluvr]

Let's see. Southern exposure, 6' x6', no trees or other shade. All I see is heat issues.

[Pattywack]

The best I have for shade besides a 60% or better shade cloth is the location of the greenhouse. It is going to be placed against the back of the house. At that area it would be particularly shaded until almost noon by the shadow of the upstairs of our home. From around noon until 3 to 3:30 it would be full sun with shade cloth. By 3:30 or 4 it's completely shaded by house.

I have several areas in my yard with trees that I could locate the greenhouse, just would rather have it on the deck. Seems the yard would pose more bug issues than a second floor deck.

[katrina]

Without a cooling system (a/c, swamp cooler, etc) that g/h will soar to 100+ in no time during a full sun day...especially when the outside temps are warm. Even 60% shade cloth will not be enough to keep the orchids from cooking.

The smaller the g/h, the harder it is to stabilize the temperatures so they soar quickly when the sun is out and sink just as fast when temps drop at night.

With a heater you could potentially use it to extend your seasons...using it early in spring and being able to keep the plants out later in the fall but during the summer time heat you're probably going to have a lot of problems unless you want to install some sort of cooling system, exhaust and circulating fans.

[Leafmite]

I keep my Lepanthes indoors in the summer. The miniature greenhouses would be easy to move outside to my porch but one wrong ray of sun could be devastating. Even the intermediate to warm, I have heard, do not tolerate extreme heat very well.

You could call Andy of Andy's Orchids and ask what he does with his.

An option would be to set up a 'shade house' with a fogger. The fogger would provide the humidity but by being open, you wouldn't need to worry about the heat.

[Pattywack]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I really would like this to work for me somewhere. I'm aware that some of my miniatures will need to remain inside, others would appreciate higher temps. This greenhouse doesn't have to be all orchids, but I would love to grow some of them outside.

I have several areas in our yard, 3 acres, I could place this. Even under the deck if necessary! It is cool and breezy underneath and very pleasant on a hot sticky day. The east or west end under there would add some light. There is a large area between the deck itself and the staircase that this could be placed (shady most of the day) as well as several areas near oak and birch trees. Placing options are pretty good, an area of large pine trees blocking the yard from the tee box is another idea though not the best as it is further from the house.

I've not given up yet. Any other ideas?

[AnonYMouse]

Am I missing something? I'm not getting why you want a greenhouse for the warm months. Do you mean a shade house?

[estación seca]

What you really want is here:

Shadehouse and short plant list

It's way to hot for an enclosed greenhouse where you describe. Your plants will cook the first sunny afternoon. But you need to protect them from squirrels, birds, raccons and other animals. A shaded screenhouse will work wonderfully.