First year with greenhouse Orchids

First year with greenhouse Orchids (post #15992)

southernsoil on Wed, 12/23/2009 - 10:02

Garden Photos

I started collecting most of the Orchids this past spring knowing that the greenhouse would be ready to over winter them. How nice it is to see the beautiful blooms when I walk in the door. I see this could become my new addiction.

Lovely. Are those (post #15992, reply #1 of 5)

by Karen in reply to southernsoil [original] on Fri, 12/25/2009 - 11:42

Lovely. Are those paphiopedilums in the bottom photo?

North Carolina - zone 7

Yes they are Karen. I've (post #15992, reply #2 of 5)

by southernsoil in reply to Karen [original] on Sat, 12/26/2009 - 18:56

Yes they are Karen. I've always liked or should I say loved the "Lady Slipper" orchid.The large orchid in the same photo is Phaisus tankervilleae.
I've always used common names for plants and I am starting to change my ways. Although I have my library handy at all times.
Also I will try to get some pictures on here tomorrow. Was at Lowes today and hit the orchid lottery! 23 orchids for $36.Cattleya, Dendrobium, Brassia, Epidendrum, Oncidium and Vanda.
We found some bubble wrap the insulate the greenhouse with also. When I googled clear solar pool cover, basically it is bubble wrap. So for less than $50 I hope the electric bill drops.

Let me know how the bubble (post #15992, reply #3 of 5)

by Karen in reply to southernsoil [original] on Sun, 12/27/2009 - 08:08

Let me know how the bubble wrap works out.

I'm hoping to get some orchids from my dad next year. He's been collecting/growing them since I was a little girl (and I've spotted some nice big Phaius in his collection). I've only got a few right now, one is a Stanhopea that I need to figure out how to suspend from the rafters.

North Carolina - zone 7

Karen, We finished one side (post #15992, reply #4 of 5)

by southernsoil in reply to Karen [original] on Mon, 12/28/2009 - 07:41

Karen, We finished one side of the greenhouse with bubble wrap and over night temp was 18 degree warmer than it has been,WOW. The poor little heater was not panting when I went inside to a balmy 68f. For now I have no worries.

"23 orchids for (post #15992, reply #5 of 5)

by Abbie in reply to southernsoil [original] on Wed, 12/30/2009 - 11:45

"23 orchids for $36."

Southernsoil, you hit the jackpot! The pictures you posted are beautiful and what a great idea to insulate your greenhouse with bubble wrap.

When I was working (ages ago), I had the use of an old but well-maintained greenhouse and I can remember thinking that if there were only some way to insulate it, the heating bill would not be so high. This was on Long Island. Also, to add insult to injury, the oak trees that overhung it would occasionally drop something heavy enough to break a pane of glass.

Northern Virginia, Zone 7A.

First year with greenhouse Orchids