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Reference: AOS Bulletin, May 1994, "Not by the Book" - prize-winning essay by Ed Wright.
DrJay
What I got from the article was - Orchids have survived our care because they are very adaptable. They have broad ecological amplitudes and thrive in spite of us. Most are cared for contrary to their natural growing conditions.
Lois
Well put, Dr Jay.
Ted
Thats the best thing about orchids. Beautiful unusual flowers that can tolerate my hit and miss cultural methods.
Lois
Yes -- and I gather constant feed with 1/8 to 1/4 tsp per gallon.
Barbara
drjay, well said. I got out the 1994 May Bulletin and read it over again.
DrJay
Hi, Ed. We have been discussing your article.
Lois
I reread as well - Ed, you do turn a phrase!
Barbara
Good article and good picture, too!
Andy
I think that's true enough, Dr. Jay, but life must adapt or die. That's what makes a species survive. It's an ever changing world we live in. Gosh, I'd hate to have to climb a tree just to water my orchid :)
Andy
Of course having to move to the jungle to own one sounds pretty good to me!!
Ed
Picture was wife Kathy's work. Better than the article, but then look at the comparative value of the subjects.
DrJay
I don't think you need and / or want to duplicate 'in situ'. Just get a good program that is close to something the plant can adapt to. Too much emphasis can be placed on special pots, special mix, special water, etc.
Ed
Temp control in Bossier is exactly the same as elsewhere. What you can't do with evaporation you can do with absorption, so heat is no problem - so long as you let most of it out the top of the greenhouse where it will go naturally if let alone.
Andy
It is amazing how one can grow so many different types of Orchids in the various niches in one's greenhouse; i.e., Vandas and Dendrobiums up high in the light, where the temp is the hottest all the way down to the low light/cool growers under the benches.
DrJay
Yes, it is a very fortunate thing that we have micro-climates in our growing spaces.
Ed
If you're growing Dendrobium phalaenopsis, you better get them down out of that Vanda light and put them with their Phalaenopsis look-alike.
Peter
I got a question about the "wet wall" in my greenhouse. Is it common to have the water tank in the ground?? Or should it be above the ground and inside of the greenhouse?
Ted
MaryLois I'll send you some nice cool Canadian air. I don't need to use a swamp cooler just keep the ridge vent open in the summer.
Evlyn
I don't have any air going out of the roof area now. I only use the roof vents in cooler weather when the cool pad is sealed.
Ed
Peter - the water tank or return tank simply acts as a sump to collect water from the pads so the pump can return it of another trip. So long as it is lower than the pad collection gutter, it shouldn't make much difference. Just remember, the higher the head, the stronger the pump must be, so don't work at putting the sump too low.
Barbara
Some time I think that's my mistakes, too many different types,so no one is very happy. I like some spectacular bloomers. I had a few they bloomed beautifully and just die.
Ted
I find all my orchids very adaptable if you change the conditions slowly. I only get into trouble if I go from one extreme to another.
Ed
Evlyn, where does your cool pad air exhaust? We exhaust ours at the ridge (17' up) so the hot air is what leaves. If you're exhausting yours at the side wall, you're throwing away the best air in the greenhouse.
Andy
Barbara, that's why I try to run my greenhouse for one specific type orchid. IE. I like Cattleyas best so their environment is top priority. What goes in besides Cattleyas either finds it's niche, or dies. I won't sacrifice my Catts to make some 'intruder' happy. Still I try and try to find the niche to make that 'something special' happy.
DrJay
Ted, that is a very good point. Nothing drastic.
Andy
Seventeen foot roof?? are you utilizing all that space??
Ted
Even in my small greenhouse I can find small areas of Micro-climates that enable me to grow a large variety of orchids.
Ed
Andy - roof is offset to one side from ridge which is 16' 9", to be exact. Vents are in the offset area. Headroom is the most vital space in a greenhouse. It extends the growing zone by an enormous factor.
Lois
Well, Ed, I'm almost an orchid expert...must be approaching that 1,000 kills.
Ted
During the winter the plants are forced to adapt to conditions that are not ideal, but in the summer by using outdoor space (e.g. under trees, by the pond, etc) I seem to be able to find the proper conditions for everything from Masd. to Angraecums.
Evlyn
I'm working on getting there.
Ed
Lois - keep going; you'll soon be one of USSSS!
Lois
I buy that...exactly why I would never go for a Quonset type again. Tall, straight walls are the way to go for optimum growing space.
Andy
I agree with the headroom comment. In mine, if you're any taller than me, you're hitting you head on a pot/basket or getting your face brushed with roots. :)
DrJay
Is that because the blistering heat stays up in the rafters and eventually vents? Leaving the growing zone comfortable? (Plant comfortable)
Ted
Ed, where heating is expensive because of cold weather (-35 & ) do you still recommend high walls.
Andy
Lois, Quonset is the only kind I'd have. Low cost and most energy efficient. Like my plants, I've learned to adapt to the curved walls. I'm growing natural shade (vines) that make the greenhouse look like a tunnel through the jungle.
Ed
There are three zones in every greenhouse: damp, clammy air at the floor; good growing air at the bench level (hopefully) and hot dry air at the ridge - even in winter, or especially in winter. By increasing headroom, you greatly increase the bench level zone, leaving the other two about the same. If you exhaust air at the sidewall, you are dumping your best air. Prove this by hanging a plant on the outside of the exhaust fan. It'll grow like the dickens.
Lois
Andy - they have their good points too! And I'm sure you've overcome what I consider a bad point by that hangar sized greenhouse...you ain't hunting for hanging room! *grin*
Evlyn
So glad to hear height of GH validated by someone. I looked at a lot of GH in Fla. before I built this one. Everyone said I was building too high-- 10 ft 8 in.
Ed
Ted, I think an igloo needs a high ridge! You do not appreciably increase heat loss with a high ridge although you do increase volume significantly. Use fans to bring that warm air down in winter and you'll have happier plants and a whole lot less condensation.
Ted
I was thinking of building a Quonset style here to save on energy costs. Is this a mistake?
Andy
That's an interesting idea: increasing the bench level zone. I wonder what the trade off is in the winter when one has to heat the larger area?
Karen
Are there greenhouse manufacturers that also do the total construction as well? The Tarshis family is not very handy... on the other hand, how do I find a contractor with this type of experience if the manufacturer doesn't put it up?
Ed
Ted - a mistake is not doing what you really want to do. I did not say anything against Quonset greenhouses and won't. You may draw whatever conclusion you like, however, from the fact that I have never recommended, built or owned a Quonset greenhouse IN THE HOBBY SIZE. Commercial houses are an entirely different matter and not applicable to this discussion.
Hallie
There are contractors that will put them up for a price $$$$$$$$. I think, when the time comes, we'll put up our own kit-type greenhouse and put the savings into niceties, and more plants! BTW, my Auto refresh has started working...ate my last 3 messages. I have now found Pause Refresh!
Lois
Reply - I do have a Gothic Arch -- set it on 24" blocks to get the kit greenhouse up higher -- should be even higher -- would have had 4' foundation if I'd been smarter...I'm tall. 4' benches are ideal -- then the slope would be more gradual at the wall side. I do, however, envy those with straight walls...over the aisle is my only good hanging area...and I've knots on my head to prove it.
Ed
Karen, e-mail me some info about your greenhouse needs: approx. side, working budget and city/state to build. There are greenhouse erectors and they make sense in many cases. Not only when one is not so handy at it, but when one needs to get zoning clearances. Give me some details and I'll help.
Andy
I agree with Ed. Make it what you want it to be. Everyone has their own concept of what they want. The best thing you can do is be as well informed to make the best decision for you.
Ted
I am looking at putting up about 2500 sq. ft. of greenhouse. I was looking at a kit with 12 foot roof. Sound O.K.???????
Hallie
This group has got to be one of the best tools for becoming more informed!!
DrJay
I would owe it to the diversity.
Barbara
Ed, do you need a heater in your GH?
Ed
Ted, be SURE you find someone with the same type house in your area and check on how it handles snow loads. If you double skin that house, you can build up a tremendous weight. Barbara, we do use a heater in the greenhouse - 120,000BTU's.
Barbara
Andy, send your rain down (or up) we've over 100~ for about a week now, the cooler is working Overtime in the GH. A/C never stops in the house. I even hate to walk down to my GH.
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