Orchid Greenhouse Intro, Tips and Guide
Due to their abundance in hot and humid conditions, orchids are often called 'hothouse flowers'. If these are the types of flowers you want to raise, then you should probably think about creating a hothouse or orchid greenhouse.
There are many different styles and sizes of greenhouses. Some are as large as a regular house and made of glass. Some others are made with a translucent plastic and are no bigger than a dog house. No matter what size they are, they all are created for the same purpose. That purpose is to let some light wavelengths escape and to trap others.
When this happens, the light wavelengths that are trapped inside are invisible, infrared long wavelength waves. This causes the house to remain hot, even when the outside is relatively cool. If it receives enough sunlight, even in 40F/4C temperatures, the house can remain quite hot. Actually, most greenhouses will need to be ventilated because they are too hot.
In addition to trapping the heat, these structures are also quite good at retaining moisture. You can add this moisture to the air by any number of methods.
Just by hand watering, you can add moisture to the air when the water evaporates. When the soil is heated, some of this water will be taken into the air. The results of this will show up as water droplets on the windows of the orchid greenhouse.
Orchids prefer humidity levels between 40%-70%. Another way to maintain these levels is by using an automated system. Orchids typically thrive in hot and humid regions, such as tropical jungles, that we normally find uncomfortable. You can simulate this environment using small sprinklers on a timer.
Just as with the heat, it's easy to accumulate too much moisture inside the greenhouse. This is another reason that a good ventilation system is necessary. Adding moisture is important, but too much is as bad as not having enough.
Due to the high humidity, you'll also have to deal with mold, mildew, and other issues as well. With a modest amount of maintenance, you'll be able to deal with these issues and keep your orchids healthy. You'll need to wipe off any mildew and mold that may begin to build up. Commercial mildewcides can also assist you with this.
Just like anything else, you get what you pay for when it comes to building an orchid greenhouse. Depending on the size you need and the materials required it could cost you very little or up to thousands of dollars. If you're serious about keeping your orchids healthy and looking great, the investment will probably be worth it.
An orchid greenhouse will allow you to enjoy your gardening hobby almost all year long. You can usually maintain the temperature inside the greenhouse by artificial means, so even when it's cold outside, you can still enjoy your rare flower collection.
Introduction to Orchid Gardening
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