Here is mine...
Two 1000 watt metal halide lights on 6 foot tracks. in my 12 by 16 orchid room. Overhead misters that come on 4 times per day for 5 minutes each. Two high volume fans blowing from 1 hour before to 1 hour after the lights come on. They seem to love it!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v393/paphman/GrowRoom.jpg

oooh, I was just thinking it would be nice to see where people are growing! Excellent!

What's that chunga one in the front? Must be nice to have an orchid room. Or, ROOM in general! :roll:

H<----off to find growing room pics and see how outdated they are, LOL!

Heather,

I'm no longer sure. That photo was taken over a year ago...about a dozen divisions and a dozen flasks ago. I need more room!

Nice orchid grow room! Mine looks similar. I have to find a pic of mine and post.

I'll take another one of the same shot as it looks now and post. I thought it was full before...

Here is a pic of mine taken last late spring/fall.

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze6o1l1/gro.jpg

Pete

Do you find that the mylar helps? I have had a roll of it that I purchased when I had my first room built but have never used any of it.

Pete

Do you find that the mylar helps? I have had a roll of it that I purchased when I had my first room built but have never used any of it.

Oh yes, definitely!

Here's mine. Full up! :(

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze6k4l0/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/space305.jpg

Heather your grow area is so neat and tidy, no wonder you're always cleaning! :lol: And your plants look very nice and happy.

Heather your grow area is so neat and tidy, no wonder you're always cleaning! :lol: And your plants look very nice and happy.

I know, :oops: I am rather extra finicky about it. Thank you very much for the nice comments!

Here is one of my indoor growing shelves. I now have one here in the office and one upstairs exactly above this one facing east. All of these shelves are now dedicated to seedlings and plants in spike.

I never thought I would enjoy having plants in the house as much as I have enjoyed having these grow shelves. I put the smaller, finickier plants in this shelving unit in the office so I can check them easily several times per day. I've got a couple of small mounted plants on the way and this will make it convenient to spritz them a few times per day if needed.

I got the shelving units from Costco. The lights and tubes came from Home Depot. The underbed stoarge trays were on sale at Lowes. I got the egg crate light diffuser material and the pea gravel at Lowes also. I've got about $280 wrapped up into each of the two shelving units, trays, gravel, lights, power strip, and timer.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/Slipperhead/indoororchidsetup.jpg

I don't know whether to post the image or tag from photobucket. I'll try the image and see what happens!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/Slipperhead/indoororchidsetup.jpg

Here's mine in the tropics.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/orchideenjaeger/balcony.jpg

Taken some time ago though.

Raw and unkempt

Here's mine in the tropics.

Taken some time ago though.

Raw and unkempt
Hello , Man !!! How are you ?? Nice to meet you here ! You are really a Phal nut !!! What a nice hot paradise !!

All's fine but not so the grades though :oops: .

Actually, I've very few phals but they look plentiful because of their size. I actually have many more Dendrobium carronii, canaliculiatum and Cattleya species - many seedlings filling those trays there :wink:

I love seeing how everyone grows! Some wonderful areas out there! I just wish mine was twice the size! :roll:

My growing areas pale in comparisson to your growing areas :(
Anyway, here goes:

Outdoor east-facing garden:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v400/tamarawffxi/Orchids/south_full.jpg

Close up of the outdoor mounts and baskets:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v400/tamarawffxi/Orchids/south_shadehouse_1.jpg

The bench below the mounts:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v400/tamarawffxi/Orchids/south_bench_1.jpg

My catt section:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v400/tamarawffxi/Orchids/catt_post.jpg

My bright-light area:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v400/tamarawffxi/Orchids/sun_area_1.jpg

My indoor s/h area. There's my paph, top right :)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v400/tamarawffxi/Orchids/s_h_indoor_1.jpg

Wetfeet, your grow area looks PERFECT to grow all kinds of orchids to me!
Thanks for posting.

I wish I could have mine outside right now. Looks good.

Hello, here is a picture of my 90 gal. Aquarium that I converted into a Orchidarium.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/wolfcreekmn/orchidtank1.jpg

I wish it stayed warm around here so I could grow my orchids outside. :(

Eric

Very cool orchidarium Eric!
Wetfeet - your growing space looks wonderful!

I also wish sometimes that I could grow outside year round. I do plan on putting my upstairs plants out on my back deck this summer. I would like to get one of those little greenhouse shelving units and hoping to find/see some at the Boston Flower Show next week.

My slippers though, I am too protective of them to expose them to the elements! :?

This is one of my "windowsills" - filled up with orchids. Wish I had more space!!!

The photos are taken in the summer, and my Phals and Doritanopsis just love that season. There are some non flowering Phaps in front (to the right)

http://usera.imagecave.com/Milda/Phalanopsis/orchids_windowsill002.JPG

http://usera.imagecave.com/Milda/Phalanopsis/orchids_windowsill001.JPG

:D Milda :D

Very nice, you have beautiful well grown orchids! Good job!

Here are two horrible photos of my grow space, I will hopefully get a couple of brighter photos of my spaces. Mine are similar to Garland's. However I built my shelves(cause I am cheap). The 2 shelf unit was my first attempt(when I had a small collection), the big 3 shelfer was when I actually was given a St. Swithin that had a LS of 24 inches or so, and needed more space. I now have roughly 366 sq ft of grow area, I grow on under bed storage units with built in drains and gravel. I use a water hose attatched to the sink, and raise my lights and use buckets to drain used water into. It works pretty well, under 40-45 minutes to water both areas. I use about 10-15 gallons of water each Saturday morning.
Thanks for looking.

http://forum.theorchidsource.com/attachments/GROWSPACEUPATE1.jpg

http://forum.theorchidsource.com/attachments/GROWSPACEUPATE2.jpg

Here are two of three our growing areas (today's photos)

http://www.the-beast.ru/image/grow1.jpg
Subtropic area (living room)

http://www.the-beast.ru/image/grow2.jpg
Savanna area (kitchen room)

Third is desert and now too much sun to make a photo :)

Wow! That's a jungle there! I'm overwhelmed just thinking about the watering! :shock:

Wow! That's a jungle there! I'm overwhelmed just thinking about the watering! :shock:

We're ever don't thinking :) It's computer's task together with Gardena products. We only worry about weak and new plants (usualy get they bare root)

I agree....a jungle. It looks wonderful :clap2:

Wow, what a beautiful jungle! :clap2:

how it's very intersting to see all this growing area ! A very good post idea ! I'm very happy to see all the paph lover without green house but with good and healthy plants !

Thank you,

Marc

My old light garden (take the whole tour at http://www.msu.edu/~halgren/orchids/Growing_room.htm)
http://www.msu.edu/~halgren/Pictures/Plant_room_right.jpg

My new greenhouse (a tour at http://littlefrogfarm.com/Greenhouse_pictures.html):

http://littlefrogfarm.com/images/greenhouse_inside.jpg

Littlefrog, do you keep this going outside all year round in MI?

Littlefrog, do you keep this going outside all year round in MI?

So far... I just got the structure up in September, last year. Way later than I should have. A lot of plants got very cold - but I didn't lose many. Even several hundred Phals survived outdoor temperatures very near freezing. I wouldn't recommend it...

There is a really big propane fired furnace in the greenhouse. 200K BTU, I think. I have another one that came with the greenhouse that I will put up next fall as a backup. I have two furnaces because the original structure was twice as long (32 x 96 feet). My township only let me put up half (48 feet). That is probably for the best. Anybody who wants to come haul away the remaining hoops should let me know...

I had to start selling plants to convince my wife (the CPA) to let me build the greenhouse. My heating bill alone this winter was a little less than $3000. And no, I didn't sell nearly enough plants to pay for that... But that is the goal, eventually. Just pay the heating bills and I'll be happy.

It isn't that cold in Michigan... Compared to say, northern Norway... *grin* What kills you is the clouds. I think there were about 45 consecutive days this winter where the sun never came out. Hard to get much 'greenhouse effect' without sunshine. Hopefully we will get a little more sun next year.

Rob

Here in Ohio we don't see the sun either for most of the winter. So what temps are you able to keep in there during the winter? I don't think I could do the $3,000 bills, but I am like your wife, I work in the financial arena.

Here in Ohio we don't see the sun either for most of the winter. So what temps are you able to keep in there during the winter? I don't think I could do the $3,000 bills, but I am like your wife, I work in the financial arena.

I can keep it any temperature I would like... The temperature I decided I could afford was night minimum of 62F. That is at the thermostat (assuming it is calibrated correctly), there are cooler areas and warmer areas. Not that I know exactly what those temperatures are (never got around to buying enough max/min thermometers). The phals (which I am trying to get rid of) were closer to the furnace, and some other stuff much farther away. I think next year I will probably bump the temperature up a couple degrees.

I don't think it will cost any more next year than this, perhaps less, because I'm also investing in thermal efficiency. In a lot of ways, but some of them are: I still have 1/4 of my deep gravel floor to put in (currently bare dirt). And more plants = more thermal mass. And I'm filling up gallon milk jugs with water as my 2 year old empties them (at an ever increasing rate of speed), and putting those under the benches for thermal mass. And I'll board up the vents earlier. Perhaps my increases in efficiency will offset the increases in the price of propane. We can hope...

I also had the shade cloth on the greenhouse all winter. In retrospect, that was pretty stupid. You don't realize just how dark it is in the winter until you pay for it. Plus the shade cloth traps snow. I'll probably take off the shade the first or second week of November, and put it back on the first or second week of March.

A smaller greenhouse would be cheaper to heat... This one is ~1500sq feet of orchid growing satisfaction. Also, if you are considering a greenhouse, consider one that is attached to the house. That is also far cheaper to heat.

Rob

thanks Rob.

I do have an area on the outside of my house where the dryer exhaust comes out and I thought I could build a greenhouse with the vent inside of the greenhouse. It is on a North facing wall. I will probably just improve my area in my basement by adding more and better shelfing, but now that I see yours I am really thinking about something outside.

my crappy set up but it works!
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/nikkiandstan/1e36a9a2.jpg
one shelf
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/nikkiandstan/Picture037.jpg

as you keep buying it will get bigger. What do you have in the your tanks?

i have dart frogs and crested geckos

i have dart frogs and crested geckos

Scwheeet... I want some dart frogs. What species do you have, and do you have any baby dart frogs? *grin*

Rob

i have some leucs and some azerus still tadpoles

What do you guys do with the dart frogs? Aren't they poisonous? Do you keep them as pets and how do you handle them if they are venomous? Just curious. Do you have a close up photo of a dart frog?

they have no poison when they are captive bred. they get there toxins from a certain bug they eat that eats a certain pollen from a plant in the wild. i wouldnt eat a frog that is captive bred but you can handle them beautiful arent they!
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/nikkiandstan/thumb_DSCF0897.jpg

Photo is very small so hard to tell. I heard they are very tiny and colorful and the azeurus species are blue, correct? Glad you're not eating them! I also had no idea that they get their poison from bugs in the wild. Thanks for the education! :) Very interesting.

azeurus are blue correct sometimes i get hungry and i want to eat the frogs :embarass: :embarass:

That's cool!!

I have Dendrobates azureus & auratus in 100 gallon setups.

In case Rick still thinks I'm not elevating enough. :wink:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/ahmcd33/48747889.jpg

(note - who is highest!!! Attention hog! Love it!)

Lovely and sooo nice and sparkling clean! No wonder you spend so much time cleaning. :lol:

very nice :clap: :clap: and extremely neat and tidy! :shock:

Here's mine. It's an 8' x 8' room in the basement.
http://forum.theorchidsource.com/attachments/grroomapril.JPG

http://forum.theorchidsource.com/attachments/grroomaprilleft.JPG

Heather, yours is so neat and organised! Nothing like mine, totally cramped! Here's part of my growing area. Being in NYC, space is extremely limited :(

http://www.lienluu.com/sof/Room1.jpg

OMG! I'm totally cramped - you can't see that? :shock:

Thanks for the nice comments!!!
WOW!!!!


Thanks!!!!!!!

i have lots of room i just need more orchids :D :D
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/nikkiandstan/1e36a9a2.jpg

Heather . your growing area are so neat indeed...... wow.. :clap:

all of the rooms look cleaner than my greenhouse/fishroom. I don't have one square as clean as anything above and Heather yours looks as clean as a laboratory. :shock:

I clean my trays every week, fans and windows when they need it. I think it helps on some levels. Mostly it makes me check each plant carefully on a weekly basis.

Thanks for the nice comments on my OCD nature! :lol:

Yes, Heather is a clean freak! :lol: You all have such nice and clean grow rooms! Good job, you all! :clap2: :clap2:

OMG! I'm totally cramped - you can't see that? :shock:

Thanks for the nice comments!!!
WOW!!!!


Thanks!!!!!!!

That isn't even fair... It wouldn't even make you break a sweat to follow my rules. *grin* I could get three times as many plants in that space...

If you ever move to Michigan, you can keep your plants in my greenhouse. I need the organization.

Rob

LOL! I missed a couple of these...too funny. You know, I used to be that anal about the whole house, but then I got 100+ plants and now only anal about the growing space, and the kitchen, where they get checked...isn't that strange? I always clean the kitchen before I bring the plants in...I know, I'm nutty!

Okay, just so Rob can tell me how much space I have after following his rules and getting 6 new plants last week....

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/ahmcd33/7e0fbe72.jpg

Rob, please help me fit my esquirolei back in that mess, will you please? He needs a new home in there somewhere (and no, I'm not sending it to anyone, I like that species very much...)

Looks great! Hope the plants placed further away from the window are getting adequate light. Good job! :D

Looks great! Hope the plants placed further away from the window are getting adequate light. Good job! :D

Yeah, you and me both! Actually, you cannot tell from the pics but the lights are directed at the front trays for exactly that reason. I am due for a re-org of the whole space on Saturday though, and will be shifting things around.

Rob, any tips on cramming you'd like to share? :poke:

paphgirl thats an emaculate growing area!

here are updates of my growing area
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/nikkiandstan/Picture212.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/nikkiandstan/Picture211.jpg

looks much more organized than my indoor setup.

Heather, it looks like you are filling up some of the holes in your area, if you can see some of the surface then there is still room for one more plant :poke:

Great area Heather, you can always hang pots from curtain rods! I do see some empty space there. You could build some quick and easy shelves if you have to. You need more plants follow Rob's rules!

Heather or Rick,
What is the elevating for?

Marcus - when the leaves are so long they run into each other, if you elevate them, you can put babies underneath! :D

More elevation=more space! Mwahahahaha!!!! :evil:

oooooh, I like.... :clap:

Another good tip - use square pots! They're WONDERFUL! :heart:

:bowing: SQUARE POTS!!!! I love 'em. Remember to try to keep a little bit of space between all of your pots to allow for air movement. Heather you can buy those little vinyl coated shelves that would fit on your table. They come in different heights, and are pleasing to the eye!.

Heather , very nice growing area indeed.... wow.... :clap:

Heather,
Do you use anything as a plug or dowel in the center of your aircone pots to keep them from sliding off?
I thought doing something like that, using popsicle sticks or something similar....
What about wiring throught the holes?

Marcus, that is an excellent idea! I don't currently use anything, I am just super careful. I find the round 5.5 of 6.5"on top of the square 6" are tricky though, I almost toppled one yesterday. :ohmy:

I cannot WAIT until Rands come out with their 5" square. I'll be switching as much as possible to ALL square. Just think of the extra space I'll have! :D

Hot glue, heather... Geeze, where is Martha Stewart when you need her?

You know, you could put compots of baby phrags _under_ the big aircone pots. A little mini greenhouse, good humidity... Of course you would have to pick up the pot to water, but you were doing that anyway.

Now, I just have to run out and find one more good bolt for the neck, and I will have finished creating my monster... ha ha ha ha (evil laugh).

Rob

Hot glue, heather... Geeze, where is Martha Stewart when you need her?

You know, you could put compots of baby phrags _under_ the big aircone pots. A little mini greenhouse, good humidity... Of course you would have to pick up the pot to water, but you were doing that anyway.

Now, I just have to run out and find one more good bolt for the neck, and I will have finished creating my monster... ha ha ha ha (evil laugh).

Rob

Ahh, The Evil Dr. Frog has arrived... what took you so long? :poke:

Would there really be enough airflow under one of the 6" square pots? A good idea, but are you being serious? Just think of the possibilities! I saved a bit of room for my compot's arrival, don't worry. There is always room for one (or 5!!) more! :D

Ahh, The Evil Dr. Frog has arrived... what took you so long? :poke:

Would there really be enough airflow under one of the 6" square pots? A good idea, but are you being serious? Just think of the possibilities! I saved a bit of room for my compot's arrival, don't worry. There is always room for one (or 5!!) more! :D

I honestly don't know... I think it would work though. You drill a lot of holes in those pots. Drill a few more. Actually it might be a useful place to hide a few seedlings, too. But that is only postponing the inevitable. You need to buy a house. Build the greenhouse before you move in, and make it at least three times bigger than you think you need. You are doomed... ha ha ha ha (evil laugh)

You are doomed... ha ha ha ha (evil laugh)

'Tis a very good thing I did not know you a year ago (tho I knew OF you)...Having Peter around was bad enough! You Evil Enabler you!

Seriously, I don't want a greenhouse - too complicated. I'd worry so much, I'd never sleep a wink! Way too much lack of control...Sunroom....want sunroom. Please.

You are doomed... ha ha ha ha (evil laugh)

'Tis a very good thing I did not know you a year ago (tho I knew OF you)...Having Peter around was bad enough! You Evil Enabler you!

Seriously, I don't want a greenhouse - too complicated. I'd worry so much, I'd never sleep a wink! Way too much lack of control...Sunroom....want sunroom. Please.

Sunroom too small. Heather need sunhouse. Grrr. Arrrgh. [stomps around terrifying villagers with torches]

Hahahahaha!!!
LOL!!!

Have you seen that Black and White game? You'd make a great Minion, Rob! Hahahaha!!!

I love the idea of a compot under one of the inverted aircones :D
Heather, I think you should definitely secure the pots. Just imagine the chain reaction of domino toppling if you knocked one or more over :twisted:
Hot glue sounds good, but what if you wanted to undo it and use the pot(s) for something else? Seems too permanent for my tastes. I thought a dowel in the center of the aircones would work because you could swap out parts as needed.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v87/sgratix/Work/lightsetup.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v87/sgratix/Work/lightsetup2.jpg

Garage shelves and shop lights ...... very high tech ...... there are more in the bedroom windows that face south and more in the kitchen and living room, the kitchen and living room get the best natural light as they have great east and south windows. The garage shelves are in a room that faces north.

looks nice and clean....not at all like mine

Very nice efficient use of space! However lots of room for many more brachys and complexes in there sgratrix! Nice and clean giving Heather a run for her money!

Wah!!! I don't think I will be able to get the little greenhouse that I wanted this year. :( I would want it near the propane tank so I could hook it up, but the zoning laws here won't let me as the greenhouse would be too near the property line. I'm going to try to get a variance, as I don't think the neighbor would mind. However, even if the neighbor was OK with it, I'd still probably have problems with the building inspector. (nobody likes him.)

So it looks like I will have to bring plants in from the screenhouse. Problem is, I have more plants now than I did when they were inside, and it might be difficult to squeeze them inside. I HAVE to get organized! :mad:

Heather, I really like your set up as it is so clean and well organized. Where did you get the white trays with the grids that you put your plants on? And do you know a place that has good prices on clear, square pots? I'm going to gradually swich my plants over.

Susan, if you have an extra bedroom, you can always convert it into a grow room.

Hi Pete,

I do have 2 extra bedrooms, the problem is that this is a weird house!! It is almost 200 years old and has gone thru some strange renovations during that time. As a result, we have 3 sources of heat; oil, propane, and wood. What is ironic is that the extra bedrooms are NOT heated. So, I think that rules out the extra bedrooms.

Still, I have our bedroom which has the propane heat (as does the ell). It has a 8' picture window with a Southern exposure. I was thinking of putting the plants there, as I have a table there already and can add to it. It looks somewhat like Heather's space. Ironically, this is the only room in the house that the original owners exposed the ancient beams that support the place. They run parallel to the table, so I could buy one of those contraptions that move a lighting system. That would create more growing space. And I already have some fans.

Ultimately, it would be an economical solution, rather than buying a hobby greenhouse. I think. I'm concerned about how much electricity one of those HSD lighting systems would use, and being an accountant type I try to compare the costs of each option in the long run.

Susan, your heated bedroom with the large south facing picture window sounds like the perfect place to grow your plants indoors in the winter. Supplement lighting would help significantly during the short winter days of Maine.

Thanks Pete!

I'll be asking a bunch of questions about lighting systems as the time for moving everything in approaches!! I don't know much about HDS sytsems, and the wattage I would need. (but I have a guess that it would be 400
Watts.) And, I am confused about how high or low to hang the light.

Still, from photos and other posts on this forum, I think I can figure it out. And going with indoor growing with a light system would probably be much easier than putting up a kit greenhouse alone. :twisted:

I might post a question on the "Vendors" forum as where to buy a light set-up.

Great info on this forum. I appreciate it!

Greenhouse completed last fall.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y275/Greenpaph/6-14-04.jpg

One end of the greenhouse
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y275/Greenpaph/inside26-23-05.jpg


The other end of the greenhouse.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y275/Greenpaph/inside6-23-05.jpg

Looks bigger on the inside than on the outside... How big is it? Nice greenhouse!

OHHHH! Thanks Peter. :-dance:

Maybe I won't give up.... I received an answer from a vendor who is selling a G/H that looks very much like yours, but smaller. This one is 14' x 24,' which is more than enough for me. And it is affordable. It looks like yours has an air layer between the two poly layers, which would be the insulation.

My other concerns are about getting in electricity and heat source. I know you said you had oil, so you must have a big tank on the outside??? That might work for me, but the G/H, if I were to get one, would be quite a distance from the driveway. Does an oil truck have hoses long enough to pump that distance? I ask, as it looks like your G/H is set back pretty far on your property.

Thank you for that photo!!!

Looks bigger on the inside than on the outside... How big is it? Nice greenhouse!

The greenhouse is 48' x 27'

OHHHH! Thanks Peter. :-dance:

Maybe I won't give up.... I received an answer from a vendor who is selling a G/H that looks very much like yours, but smaller. This one is 14' x 24,' which is more than enough for me. And it is affordable. It looks like yours has an air layer between the two poly layers, which would be the insulation.

My other concerns are about getting in electricity and heat source. I know you said you had oil, so you must have a big tank on the outside??? That might work for me, but the G/H, if I were to get one, would be quite a distance from the driveway. Does an oil truck have hoses long enough to pump that distance? I ask, as it looks like your G/H is set back pretty far on your property.

Thank you for that photo!!!

Susan,

The greenhouse is about 50 ft from my house. The oil tank is in the shed at the other end of the greenhouse. If you look closely at the full greenhouse picture you can just make out a shed attached. The oil trucks usually have a 100 -150 ft hose.
I had a backhoe dig a 5 foot deep trench from the house to the greenhouse. We ran 100amp electricty, electric line for a generator, telephone line and water line out from the main house. I have a 300,000 btu oil burner, two 24" exhaust fans (single & double stage), an aquafogger, four 12" circulating fans above and muffin fan to open 2 layers of plastic for insulation. The greenhouse is covered with a 65% shade cloth on the outside and some inside as well. The length of the greenhouse is facing a southern exposure on one side. The other side is protected by trees from north winds. I use the shed for repotting as well. If you need me to send you any pictures of parts of the greenhouse; let me know or pm me for telephone number to call.

Peter,

Your greenhouse is WONDERFUL!!!:clap: To me, it looks huge both inside
and outside. You really have a lot of room to grow, enjoy, work, and play.
:-dance:



I'm curious. Did your greenhouse need a foundation? In my town, a hoop greenhouse, even it could be 100 feet long would not need a building permit. However, a 8' x 12' kit would need one, as it is considered to be a "structure." Go figure!! I noticed that you had a gravel floor? Was this built on bare land? I do have a spot where I could put a 14' by 24' greenhouse. It would have one side facing South and the North side would be protected by pine trees; just like yours is.

The little mental wheels are turning and I'm starting to understand more and more. I'm also posting on the lighting forum. Thanks for all your help. I do like the idea of having a greenhouse, as I have a bunch of other large plants (lime tree topiary, bay tree topiary, 35 y/o Christmas Cactus, Passiflora vines, ect) that could really benefit from being in a greenhouse over the Winter. :-dance:

Susan be careful 14' x 24' might fill up kind of fast being and Ebay Goddess, or even an OG!!!

Peter,

Your greenhouse is WONDERFUL!!!:clap: To me, it looks huge both inside
and outside. You really have a lot of room to grow, enjoy, work, and play.
:-dance:



I'm curious. Did your greenhouse need a foundation? In my town, a hoop greenhouse, even it could be 100 feet long would not need a building permit. However, a 8' x 12' kit would need one, as it is considered to be a "structure." Go figure!! I noticed that you had a gravel floor? Was this built on bare land? I do have a spot where I could put a 14' by 24' greenhouse. It would have one side facing South and the North side would be protected by pine trees; just like yours is.

The little mental wheels are turning and I'm starting to understand more and more. I'm also posting on the lighting forum. Thanks for all your help. I do like the idea of having a greenhouse, as I have a bunch of other large plants (lime tree topiary, bay tree topiary, 35 y/o Christmas Cactus, Passiflora vines, ect) that could really benefit from being in a greenhouse over the Winter. :-dance:

Hi Susan,

Mine is on the ground. I took about 1 foot of top soil off and built on top of the ground. Drove the pipes into the ground 3 feet and attached 2 x 12" pressure treated pine along the base. I buried 8 ft x 2 ft x 2 inches styrofoam boards. One under the 2 x 12 and the other a couple of inches above the 2 x 12 boards on the inside. I can send pictures if needed.

Thanks

not to be nosy but what does a greenhouse like that cost to build greenpaph? also cost to heat in the winter?

not to be nosy but what does a greenhouse like that cost to build greenpaph? also cost to heat in the winter?

Stan,

The greenhouse cost about $15,000 in total. Most of the work was done by friends and myself.

The cost to heat this past winter was about $2,000 including electricity.

very efficient my friend spends 5,000 in the winter! your greenhouse is very beautiful maybe someday for me

Very interesting and informative. Peter C. you have a most lovely greenhouse!

My wife and I are in the process of buying a new house.(Yeah we are actually going to grow up and be adults)... The house is a small 3 bedroom with a full acre of land :clap: The rule was when we move into a house- I get a greenhouse!!!!!!! So we will see. Yes Susan I will start with something small like a 14'x24'. Greenpaph that greenhouse is so nice and clean it is awesome! I wish I could get the greenhouse that I work at that organized. I am sure Fred(Ray) will chime in soon. I did get to meet him the other day here in NC.

Farm Tek sells the 14' x 24' G/H I'm looking at . One 18' x 24' kit sells for about $2,800 + about $300 shipping. The other kit (14' x 24') is about $2,400. They say that it can handle Maine Winters, if I get an additional heater. Some of their kits also come with fans, shades, electric hook-up, and a small propane heater. Check them out at:

http://www.farmtek.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&division=FarmTek

Thanks Susan, I am going to start a new thread asking for reccomendations and suggestions from our OG!

Peter, your greenhouse is HUGE and very well kept! Thanks for posting!

that is even bigger than I pictured in my mind when you told me the dimensions. I don't have any land right now, but the next house will have some acreage :clap: :clap:

Peter, that is very nice, no wonder you have such great plants. Thanks for the photos

OHHHH! Thanks Peter. :-dance:

Maybe I won't give up.... I received an answer from a vendor who is selling a G/H that looks very much like yours, but smaller. This one is 14' x 24,' which is more than enough for me. And it is affordable. It looks like yours has an air layer between the two poly layers, which would be the insulation.

My other concerns are about getting in electricity and heat source. I know you said you had oil, so you must have a big tank on the outside??? That might work for me, but the G/H, if I were to get one, would be quite a distance from the driveway. Does an oil truck have hoses long enough to pump that distance? I ask, as it looks like your G/H is set back pretty far on your property.

Thank you for that photo!!!

My greenhouse is inflated poly. I like it. Only problem is that you have to re-cover it every four years or so. Depends on the plastic, but you won't get more than five years. The quote for doing my greenhouse was ~2000 US dollars. That is labor and (not much) material. Yours would be small enough that you could possibly do it yourself, in which case the plastic will set you back ~400 (a ballpark guess). My greenhouse is too tall for me to be comfortable with, but maybe I'll hire some college kids to do it next time.

I have a separate propane tank for my greenhouse. They will put one anywhere, as long as the tank is within 50' or so of a place they can drive the truck to. Cost me ~3000 last year for propane on a 32x48' greenhouse. But that is in dark and cold mid michigan. Your mileage may vary. I dug a trench for my electricity, it comes from the barn. But you don't need a whole lot of power, I have 30A and won't ever come close to drawing that much juice.

The main problem with having a detached structure has been water. My greenhouse is way too far away from the house to run a water line, and I'm not digging a separate well for it. So, I'm limited to collecting water in very big tanks. Hopefully by the end of the summer I'll be collecting rainwater off the roof. That is good water. Right now I'm filling it up with the garden hose. 1000G, 200ft of hose, and a fairly small well pump means 3 or 4 hours to fill the tank. It empties much quicker!!!

So, by fall, I should have two 1000G water tanks, collecting water off my greenhouse roof. You'd be amazed at how much water you can get off a roof, btw.

My greenhouse cost about 10k full of plants. It was twice as big in its original home. But I've probably spent another 6 or 7 in labor and transportation, gravel for the floor, wiring, etc. I do have the other half of the greenhouse lying in pieces in my yard. Cheap! If I had to do it again, I would have gotten a new one, it was way too much work to take apart and move the old one.

you can go here http://www.littlefrogfarm.com/Greenhouse_pictures.html to see pictures of the process...

Here is a pic of my phal species wall. I love mottled leaf phals. Next on my hit list will probably be a Phal philippinense.
Top row, left to right: Phal. stuartiana v. nobilis, then 2 x Phal schilleriana - the bigger one on the right is from Oak Hill Gardens, the smaller one in the middle is from Joseph Wu Orchids - so far it's been a queer giraffe (see Gladiator).
Bottom row: Phal equestris v. ilocos, Phal celebensis (in spike, YAY)
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/couscous74/Orchid0198.jpg
They are hanging on a metal closet door in my spare bedroom.
And as you can see, there's plenty of room for me to keep your extra keikis. :innocent:

Nice looking Phal species you got there! Do you grow your Phals indoors? You should be able to grow them outside in Miami with no problem at all.

I would love to grow them outdoors on my balcony, but I live on the 11th floor across the street from the beach, and the summer thunderstorms can kick up strong gusts quite suddenly. I'm afraid that if I'm not home to take the plants in, they will get blown off. I have a hibiscus on the balcony that gets knocked over regularly.

I would love to grow them outdoors on my balcony, but I live on the 11th floor across the street from the beach, and the summer thunderstorms can kick up strong gusts quite suddenly. I'm afraid that if I'm not home to take the plants in, they will get blown off. I have a hibiscus on the balcony that gets knocked over regularly.

Oh yes, that makes sense. I wouldn't either!

Marcus, that is lovely. I would love to see some close ups of you phal leaves sometime. I too love the mottled leaf phals

Hey Tadd no time like the present to include a greenhouse with your morgatage plans. If you could do it I would definitly attach it to the house makes it so much more usable to be able to just open a door and be in the greenhouse . and you have your hands full trying to orgainize your place of work or should I say where you volunteer. You should take a few pictures and post them. I had my camera in hand and only took one picture while I was there. There was so much to see and I really couldn't keep the family waiting too long There are so many things to see that you can miss things that are right in front of your face. Good luck shopping Ray

And this is where my paphs live, on a humidity tray tucked behind a couch.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/couscous74/Orchid0200.jpg
Left side of the tray here is almost all paphs, with a venus flytrap compot:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/couscous74/Orchid0204.jpg

More paphs here on the right side of the tray and 3 hybrid Phals.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/couscous74/Orchid0202.jpg

I use the sheer curtains when the sun is shining in the sliding glass doors.

Your Paphs and venus fly traps look very well grown. What is that large Paph on the left? Looks multifloral to me.

Yup, that's a Praying Isabel. I posted pics in the Paph gallery a couple weeks ago. Flowers are just starting to drop. :(

Marcus there is so much room in both places :) You have some serious collecting to do.. get buying! Yeah I see a really nice place for some keikis! The house we are looking to buy is on an acre of land, so we will probably rserve the back of the house for a nice deck and patio. I can then put a free standing one in the back yard somewhere, and you can come see all of my big multflorals and big bulbos...

Yup, that's a Praying Isabel. I posted pics in the Paph gallery a couple weeks ago. Flowers are just starting to drop. :(

Thanks! I had to go check again, very nice blooms! You ought to get more! :poke:

Thanks guys. I an saving some space for when I go to Ratcliffe in 10 days.

we need to see an updated photo after you get back from Ratcliffe's, to make sure there is no extra room left :poke: :clap:

Marcus,

Great looking start!

But on a great looking hardwood floor? My wife would send me to the greenhouse to live! (then again that wouldn't be too bad - would it!) :D

I thought I'd follow Marcus' lead. New phal species home.
Left to right - Phal. schilleriana, Phal. violaceae, Phal. violaceae, Phal. bellina, Phal. leuddemaniana (thanks Tadd!)
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/ahmcd33/e49996f4.jpg

Phal. violaceae in spike/bud.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/ahmcd33/58bbea70.jpg

But on a great looking hardwood floor? ...
I honestly hadn't thought that one out :embarass: So far it hasn't been a problem because I have been careful with water, and I've been trying to keep the area clean. I might have to put something down under it huh? :?

Heather, nice set up. Looks like you already had a bunch of hooks in place...? What are those long bottles? Can you grow orchids in them? :poke:

I don't have anything hanging yet, so I still have plenty of room

None of my windows currently get enough light. Too many huge oaks in the yard.

Heather, nice set up. Looks like you already had a bunch of hooks in place...? What are those long bottles? Can you grow orchids in them? :poke:

Sorry, Marcus, missed this post- Yes my "herb drying rack" came in very handy. I could use one in my front window! :twisted:
The hanging bottles are vases and they do look nice w/ cut spikes in them. I've only had to prematurely cut a couple spikes though.

Ok....Tadd prompted me to post again -PLEASE don't comment again on the cleanliness....
Anyway, here is proof I have more room. Just in case you people think I am being irresponsible!
:twisted:

Paphs...look at the room! And that isn't even w/ the new 5" square pots!! Sigh....what should I buy next??? :confused:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/ahmcd33/2b2971e5.jpg

Phrags...(still tweaking lighting - don't jump on me - tho I had a Catt spike under these - I know they aren't strong enough. Watching for burn down in the dining room...when I am convinced it is safe, I'll move them up to the room just above the Paphs which gets the same bright Southern lighting in addition to the CFLs.) Welcome opinions though! I have enough room between shelves to install other lighting if necessary.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/ahmcd33/17fc5734.jpg

Howdy H,
Will the lower shelves get any window light when upstairs? You definitely have alot of room in that paph area!

Hi.
Yes, they will.
Though I think I will probably move the shelves up a bit also.

Very nice Heather. I bet that paph table gets overcrowded again by Thanksgiving. :D

Very nice Heather. I bet that paph table gets overcrowded again by Thanksgiving. :D

Yeha, no doubt!
Suggestions welcome!

Heather,

Great! It looks like paph lowii is in there! Did I see that somewhere else? :poke:

Thanks

your phrag set up scares me :shock: i almost burned down my house when a light fell! be carful

Very clea...uh nice Heather

Growroom(closed down for the summer).
http://www.talbot-terry.freeserve.co.uk/Orchids/GR1.jpg
New g/h

http://www.talbot-terry.freeserve.co.uk/Greenhouse/GH5.jpg
Other side has a rack for species Phals , a couple of Phrags & another
rack with high light plants(P.Roths , Dens etc)

Well, here is my growing area. Just a standard 12 by 8 glasshouse raised a bit off the ground. I have plenty of room for more Paphs. I will fill it up eventually I'm sure.

Cheers

David


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/emydura/glasshouse.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/emydura/glasshouse2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/emydura/glasshouse3.jpg

David,

Looks great inside! What are the dimensions? Is that shade cloth over it?

thanks

Peter

The dimensions are 12 foot by 8 foot. Must be about 10 foot tall. It is big enough for now but I'm sure in a few years time I will need to extend. Yes that is 70% shadecloth on top. During the hot summer I also put another layer of 50% shadecloth on. The sunlight is damn bright during a hot Australian summer.

David

Peter

The dimensions are 12 foot by 8 foot. Must be about 10 foot tall. It is big enough for now but I'm sure in a few years time I will need to extend. Yes that is 70% shadecloth on top. During the hot summer I also put another layer of 50% shadecloth on. The sunlight is damn bright during a hot Australian summer.

David

David,

My greenhouse in New Hampshire has similar shadecloth. 63% outside and 63% inside! That sun is incredibly strong! Even with both; there are areas in which some of the paphs are overexposed!

thanks

I have been a little uncertain about the light. It is comforting to know I’m growing them similar to yours. At first I wondered if the light was too low for the multiflorals. But as you can see from the second photo most of them are a light green. The Paph closest to the front is a rothschildianum that I recently bought. It is much darker compared to those around it which makes me wonder is it too bright.

David

Definitely way too much room in there :poke: Did you build this one your self? I am in the market kind of, and was wondering about my options of building my own. That is some serious shading also! Excellent!

What a nice, empty greenhouse you have, David! :poke:
I think you need a few dozen more of those nice big roths....

Tadd - I bought one of those kit glasshouses second hand. Amazingly the guy selling it lived just around the corner from me. I saw it in the paper early saturday morning and raced round and picked it up for $500 Aus. I left a deposit and went to the shops to get the rest of the money. In the mean time people were ringing him up and offering him way more than $500 to renege on our deal. Fortunately for me he was honest. He could have got a lot more than $500. There was a smaller glasshouse in the paper at the same time for $1400.

I built a wall 60cm high and put the glasshouse on top. I'm pretty tall and found the glasshouse too short.

There is more room available than you can see. I have three of those big double benches. At the moment I have some other orchids in their temporarily until I build a cool house. So at this stage, of the six benches I would only be using 1 and a half for Paphs. So there certainly is plenty of room for expansion of my Paph collection. And expand I will. And don't forget, all those multiflorals you see have to grow up. Still I would love a few dozen more roths as well.

David

Very nice David, looks like you got a very good deal there...now you should start looking for the next one, I find that greenhouses tend to fill up much quicker than you anticipate

David, nice greenhouse!

Here are some photos of my growing area:

Fully enclosed patio:

http://images.snapfish.com/3448858723232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2323%3D%3B73%3D738%3D3 232%3B73647864nu0mrj

Patio (covered, not enclosed)

http://images.snapfish.com/3448858723232%7Ffp3%3Enu%3D3232%3E%3A7%3B%3E598%3E 2323%3A7%3B689%3A%3B2ot1lsi

This is the "I sunburned the @#$% out of my plant" corner:

http://images.snapfish.com/3448858723232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E2323%3D%3B73%3D726%3D3 232%3B736353%3B5nu0mrj

And this is my indoor atrium:

http://images.snapfish.com/3448858723232%7Ffp3%3Enu%3D3232%3E%3A7%3B%3E289%3E 2323%3A7%3B37%3A%3B87ot1lsi

Very nice. You have some nice variety in that collection.

Nice collection!

Ditto, nice collection Teresa

Teresa,

Very lovely areas!

We all have a burn or sick corner!

Is that a vanilla plant in the atrium or a pothos?

thanks

Very cool Teresa! what is the little green paph near the fountain? You need some coelogynes :)

Peter, it is a pothos...but I am getting a vanilla vine because I think it will do really well in there! The ceiling is vaulted way up, over 20 feet so there is plenty of room to train a vine. The pothos is crazy growing all over the wall and floor. I actually just cut a bunch of it down.

TADD...you found my Fairrieanum cross! Now how did you know???? Must be a special talent. It is a Paph. Goultenianum ‘France’ x Paph. Fairrieanum Alba ‘Hisinying’. I really want to get a red fairrieanum to go with it. I like the way the petals curl. Coelogynes eh? Let's see am I allowed to grow those yet??? I'm going shopping today, I gotta do some research :poke:

i have condensed and re-aranged and made some good room. i am getting another 5 foot shelf and 400 watt metal halides are on the way here is my room as of 2 days ago
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/nikkiandstan/Picture049.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/nikkiandstan/Picture050.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/nikkiandstan/Picture051.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/nikkiandstan/Picture052.jpg

Excellent, Stan! You and your plants will really love the HID system.

it will be the first one i have ever worked with. pete, with my collection only consisting of paphs how high should i hang the fixture above the paphs. and will it light all 5 foot of the bench? any help would be appriciated

Stan, my grow area is about 6 x 8 and my HPS light system is about 3 feet above the plants. My system is also on a light mover which helps tremendously. You should also look into getting a light mover.

I have also recieved a 400 watt MH light system, and am hoping to rebuild my area shortly. I was also wondering how high to set up my lights in my design. I do not have a light mover though :(

I have also recieved a 400 watt MH light system, and am hoping to rebuild my area shortly. I was also wondering how high to set up my lights in my design. I do not have a light mover though :(

What kind of area are you trying to illuminate? There are actually tables calculated by people paid to know this kind of thing, but in my experience you can light up a 4x4' area at about 3.5-4 feet height. Actually that would probably give you 6x6' of usable area, but I always built benches in units of 4 feet...

A previous incarnation of my orchid growing extravaganza had an 8'Lx4'Wx4'T bench with two 400W MH lights above it, at a little more than three and half feet. Underneath that, two 250W fixtures at about 3 feet (after room to hang the lights, with the plants on the floor). That was a sweet setup. I should put plans for bench construction on my website somewhere... Someday...

As a practical matter, however, you can hang your light at the location and height it is convenient to do so, and build your bench under it appropriately. Realize that there will be high light areas (the center) and low light areas (the perimeter). Your plants will tell you where they want to be (look at your leaves!), and you can always lower the light or the bench if you need to.

Alright here is phase one of my new grow area. I have installed a 400 watt MH light, taken apart my shelves and rebuilt them into a table top growing area. The light is about 3and a half feet above the plants. I use under bed storage bins with gravel and drains to water in. I then collect all the water in a big keg bucket, with a drain hose built into it, so I can water in my house without having to stop and empty my little buckets every five minutes. Now I use gravity and it empties out my back door. Phase two will be to use flouro light grates over top of the bins, remove the gravel.... I will have to photo that one another day after it is complete.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y266/TADD/setup1.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y266/TADD/setup2.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y266/TADD/setup3.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y266/TADD/setup4.jpg

Hey, looking good! Thanks for some good ideas, Tadd.
So, how do you guys get the drain holes in things right? And the tubing in so nothing leaks?
That's always perplexed me to no end. Do you just drill them w/ regular drill bits to the size of the tubing?
I'd be afraid the fit wouldn't be tight enough. :confused:

Great looking setup and plants, Tadd! :thumbsup: Are you going to put some sort of reflective surface on the surrounding walls?

Thanks! Heather, I use a drill bit that is a little bit smaller than the tubing. I force the tubing through the hole and seal it with marine/boat sealer glue ( it is clear goopy stuff) I seal the inside and the outside and let it sit overnight before applying any moisture.

Peter, Thanks, and yes I plan on putting up some sort of reflective material, probaly white not mylar(because of my wife). My plants have responded pretty well to their new light!

Excellent, just the info I needed, thanks! :D

(now you definitely need some big Phrags! And maybe several of these:)
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/ahmcd33/PEOY3.jpg

:D

Geez not a chance :poke: I have a roth(chester hills x janet) 3 big growths(Are you proud of me?), and a Cooksonii, and a St Swithin at the greenhouse. :) I don't totally hate bigguns, just take up to much space for my little guys. Phrags another size problem issue.

Good set up Tadd you must be enjoying the fruits of your labor Watering must be a breeze.

Hi Tadd, very nice set up you have there... :clap:

Nice setup Tadd :clap: :clap: :clap:

I figure, I do like seeing other's grow areas so I should do the same... and also coz Jack asked :)

well... this is my makeshift grow area in my patio in Sydney, Australia. In my pocket of the world, we don't get anything less than 5 celsius... but we do get 44 celsius though!!! well as far as my record keeping has shown anyways (note the super high tech temperature and humidity gauge on the chair.. hehehe)

http://members.iinet.net.au/~tbalgos/patio3.JPG

The area is the back of my house and is fairly open on the south-eastern and eastern side. The roof is solid corrugated iron with two panels being that opaque corrugated plastic stuff to let in even more light. And this is what the patio looks like...

http://members.iinet.net.au/~tbalgos/patio.JPG

and, yes I know, I should have cleaned up and let it dry first.. but I was just watering and thought it was as good a time as any...

cheers
tim

Nice looking plants and grow area, Tim. Thanks for posting! :D

Nice area you have there. I do like your furniture also . good choice your plants all look happy

Very nice set up there! I think it looks very clean and tidy!

Tim! it's beautiful!!

Super setting Tim!


The plants look healthy and happy!

thanks

Tim, I like your growing area. I love to be surround by my plants after dinner and your area looks like a perfect place to relax.

I could definitely see myself tipping back a few Newcastles there! Sorry not a Foster's guy! I wish I had that kind of outdoor space!

Nice area Tim. Very relaxing...
Aussie beers.... hmmm... drank a bunch of Fourex once. Head hurt like hell the next day...

Back in the day I dropped a few Foster's down the hatch wouldn't mind a few tonight while watching the Pat's win now don't go jumpin down at me I happen to live here who else would I be cheering for. A home game at that.

Not much to show these day so I might as well show you my growing area for paphs and phrags (that is my home made flasks growing area)

ENJOY


http://baruk1.club.fr/The%20Slipper%20Orchid%20Forum%20images/IV1.jpg

:drool: :worship:

:shock: oh my gosh Uri... that's a lot of babies there.... yippeee for more paphs! :Party:

re beer: you know why you guys get the Fosters... it's coz we won't drink it here :evil: hehehe I've got a hangover this morning... too much Tasmanian "Cascade" beer... keep an eye out for it... sweet, juice of the keg heheheh :-dance:

I figure, I do like seeing other's grow areas so I should do the same... and also coz Jack asked

well... this is my makeshift grow area in my patio in Sydney, Australia. In my pocket of the world, we don't get anything less than 5 celsius... but we do get 44 celsius though!!! well as far as my record keeping has shown anyways (note the super high tech temperature and humidity gauge on the chair.. hehehe)



The area is the back of my house and is fairly open on the south-eastern and eastern side. The roof is solid corrugated iron with two panels being that opaque corrugated plastic stuff to let in even more light. And this is what the patio looks like...





It's beautiful Tim! (your grow area and the beer, lol) :ohmy: :clap2:
Thanx for posting!

Gee that's a lot of flasks :ohmy:

happy growing,

Jack

Tim that is very nice...Uri, you need space, you need to move to South Africa, I could do with some of those seedlings, do you do your own flasking?

South Africa, why not, weather is much better down there I guess. Yes I do all my flasking. These are exclusively Paphs and Phrags species

Looks like youv'e been busy Uri. Looks fantastic :Party:

South Africa, why not, weather is much better down there I guess. Yes I do all my flasking. These are exclusively Paphs and Phrags species

show us pictures of your lab area and your process!

I, too, would like to see you lab area. I've only seen one and it was kind of primitive.