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new greenhouse

Discussion in 'Growing Areas' started by Kitty, Oct 25, 2010.

  1. Kitty

    Kitty AKA\Debby

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    OK, it is finely happening, signed the contract today, work starts tomorrow. Some serious orchid growing friends have said to have a hot water handle installed so in winter I could water with warm water. does anyone else have hot water in the grnhs? any thoughts?
     
  2. Uluwehi

    Uluwehi angraecoids, dendrobiums and more Supporting Member

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    Yipee!!!

    For my warm and intermediate growers I always make sure I water with water that isn't cold to the touch. I think it's a great idea to have warm water installed.
     
  3. T. migratoris

    T. migratoris Active Member

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    I have a basin of de-chlorinated water that's always full under the benches. An industrial diaphragm pump draws from the basin & pressurizes the watering system. The water the plants see is always about the same temperature as the ambient air in the greenhouse.

    How big is the new 'house?
     
  4. Kitty

    Kitty AKA\Debby

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    T. 610 sq ft with the roof peak at 14 ft. I'll have a swamp cooler and under bench misters for the first time, and if I'm on budget I'd really like a dosatrion. I'am learning to use a camera to document the progress, Morabezza, will you help me post photos?
     
  5. Uluwehi

    Uluwehi angraecoids, dendrobiums and more Supporting Member

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    I am glad you'll be documenting the process Kitty. Of course I'll help you. Phone me and I will guide you through it. You'll get the hang of it in no time ;)
     
  6. Jon

    Jon Mmmm... bulbophyllum...

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    I'd go with T.Migratoris's setup. Using heated tap water has the potential to shock the plants if the temps are much different than ambient temps.
     
  7. Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Until I had to switch to RO, I used heated tap water that was heated to the point that I couldn't feel it as hot or cold on my wrist (definitely above the ambient temperature). Did that for years with great results. Now I have tanks in a shed and keep some aquarium heaters in a couple of them to temper the water. If I had time and money I would put an inline, on demand water heater. Putting tanks under your benches reduces air flow and air volume which I try to avoid.
     
  8. abaxter

    abaxter New Member

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    I have a 40 gal. water heater in my greenhouse and it works wonderfully well. All that has to be done to regulate the temp. of
    the water is set the thermostat.
     
  9. Kitty

    Kitty AKA\Debby

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    great idea's, thanks everyone! I've ordered the black plastic bench tops, and will use the 50% aluminet. still haven't made up my mind on the ceiling fan, with a 14ft. roof I wouldn't need to worry about hitting it, but...... I just don't know, often times I get stuck when I have so many choices! :confused:
     
  10. T. migratoris

    T. migratoris Active Member

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    I wish I had the height for ceiling fans. I think I'm going to have to add more HAF fans to deal with dead spots. Ceiling fans - which move air vertically - would be a great addition but they just won't work in my situation.
     
  11. abaxter

    abaxter New Member

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    Kitty, I have two 52" ceiling fans in my 12' x 28' greenhouse and
    I couldn't grow without them I don't think. They're on 24/7 and they distribute both heat and cool air and keep all the plants bobbing just a bit. Hunter makes the fans I have and their waterproof (more or less) and weren't expensive. I bought them
    at Lowes and have hit them and sprayed them for almost eleven
    years and they're still going. They're all white and ugly, but efficient. My roof height is about the same as yours.
     
  12. Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    That wasn't my experience, at all. The water in the tanks was enough cooler that it resulted in damage to some phalaenopsis leaves.

    By putting an aquarium heater in the tank and maintaining it at 75°, everything is much happier.
     
  13. Kitty

    Kitty AKA\Debby

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    all righty then Abaxter! that was just what I needed to hear, I only know 1 person with a ceiling fan, but come to think of it not many people have that high of a grnhs roof. My grnhs will be 22x30 with twin wall :)
     
  14. Kitty

    Kitty AKA\Debby

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    Abaxter, I forgot to ask, do you also have oscilating fans? And on the ceiling fans do you change the direction of the blades seasonaly? I like to see the leaves quiver a bit, I think of fans as the great equalizer in the grnhs, I know it would be much more diffacult if not impossible to grow without them.
     
  15. John Klinger

    John Klinger Active Member Supporting Member

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    You may need to do some planning, but ceiling fans are the only way to go. For your size green house, I would look at 6 fans. I have a 12 x 20 house and have 2 52" fans, and adjust them as the weather dictates. For the winter, 1 of mine, closest to the heat source is on low and blowing down, the other is on medium and blowing down. Check the electrical us of 52" fan on high verse a 20" breeze box fan, would scare you. I have no other fans.
     
  16. abaxter

    abaxter New Member

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    I have the two ceiling fans, two louvers on the front of the gh and
    a 24" exhaust fan in the back of the gh. My gh is not over-crowded now and almost all my plants are on mounts and hanging
    on racks.

    On the old AOS forum, we had a big discussion on fan direction and opinions were split about half and half on whether changing
    the fan direction made any difference. Both of my 220v King heaters are mounted quite high in the gh, so out of habit I usually
    have them blowing down in the winter. To be honest, I've really never noticed much difference either way.

    The biggest problem is hanging bars and fans. I have five bars for hanging plants in baskets, etc. and the fans do take up hanging space.
     
  17. Candace

    Candace Kept Woman Supporting Member

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    I'm in N. CA too. I think our temps really don't warrant the hot water. I don't know anyone here in my society, who has hot water running to their g.h. But, if it's inexpensive to do, why not?

    I have no hot water and my plants live and bloom, so there you are. Yes on the oscillating fans.

    It's really a good idea to run things past growers from your local society. What may be necessary or good for a grower in Wyoming will be over-kill for a grower from N. CA.
     
  18. Kitty

    Kitty AKA\Debby

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    building has started

    thank goodness the weather is still great, yesterday it was 80, my contractor has grnhs building experience and hopes to have the bulk of it done by thanksgiving. Most of the plants (1000ish) are in the house with a 100 or so cool tolerant ones on the protected front porch.
    IMG_0029.jpg IMG_0030.jpg
     
  19. Alexis

    Alexis New Member

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    I'm so excited for you!
     
  20. Uluwehi

    Uluwehi angraecoids, dendrobiums and more Supporting Member

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    Yipee!