"Bob Walsh" wrote in message
...
How far 'under the surface ' is the rock?

It varies from the surface to a foot or more. We'd also have to tear up
part of the driveway to get to the main water line, then dig that up. It's
about 3' down. You're talking a major job for two seniors.


Bob

"Manelli Family" wrote in message
...

"Gene Schurg" wrote in message
news:XQJzi.23$Ah3.18@trndny04...
Watering a large collection is why I finally built a greenhouse.

I used to spend 5 hours a weekend watering plants from a dishpan (and
watching football in the fall).

Could you use shade cloth to make a closed greenhouse that would keep
the grasshoppers out but still allow you to water with a hose?

Both are covered with shade cloths. There are fans. Without shade
cloths they can reach 130+ F. The summers here are in the 90s and this
summer has been over 100F in the daytime for weeks now.

The shade cloth
would help to cut on the sun as well but may raise the heat since it
would trap some heat.

Could you carry the collection outdoors and water with a hose and then
carry back into the house?

There are too many to make that practical twice a week. In the summer I
always kept them outside and hosed them, then dipped once a month in a
dishpan when they were fertilized. I did the pan number in the winter
also. I was just wondering how others watered a nice size collection when
kept in a house or sunroom. I had hoped to make good use of the GHs year
round but never dreamed they'd be so hot witn open doors, vents, fans and
shade-cloths. I looked into misting coolers but we can't get water to
the GHs because of the rock just under the surface. Leaving pressure on
a hose 24/7 is out of the question.

If you could "find" some bread trays like they use at McD's for
hamburger rolls you could move more plants at a time in and out.

If you are growing under lights and have a drain nearby could you rig up
some trays that would drain into the drain? I used to get some great
trays for that purpose from the companies that make plant carts. With
some basic plumbing parts and garden hose you could rig up the trays to
drain the excess water away from the plants.

That's not possible in our sun-room. I guess I'm stuck with the
"traveling dishpan." :-))


Good Growing,
Gene



"Manelli Family" wrote in message
...
It's been at or over 100 F for the past 3 weeks now. The severe drought
continues, forcing the grasshoppers to go for anything watered. Today
I started to bring my orchids back inside. I think the heat is getting
to them also as they're getting a lighter green.

How do you guys water your indoor orchids? I've been using a dishpan
to set them in 2 at a time but as the collection grows that takes a
long time. I can't use a watering can as the water runs right through
the orchid mix.

Yes, DC was built on a drained swamp. From mid-July through Labor day it
can be very sticky. We also get that nice hot moist air from our friends
from the south.

I think when they say that the swamp cooler isn't effective they are
refering to places like Houston or NOLA.

My swamp cooler has a big squirrel wheel fan that moves lots of air through
the greenhouse. I'm sure that's helping a lot too. I've visited Krull
Smith near Orlando. They have walls of swamp coolers and I know when I
stand near them I can tell the difference than the areas away from the
cooler.

My greenhouse is often cooler than my house.....

Gene


"Manelli Family" wrote in message
...

"Gene Schurg" wrote in message
newsTpAi.30236$Bv1.3801@trnddc06...
I have no way of telling how much water my swamp cooler actually uses.
When it runs it pumps the water back over the aspen wood pads. It pumps a
small amount of water out into the drain so there isn't a mineral buildup.

When I started the Greenhouse 5 years ago I did not see a big increase in
the waterbill. I don't think the water usage is much.


Thanks Gene. I've been doing some research online and read that they're
not very effective in humid climates. It's very humid where I live.
Think of a tropical jungle. The humidity drops off when the heat starts
to drop, around the middle of Sept. The plants have to come in before the
middle of Oct. which is our first frost date here. Is your climate also
humid?

Well if it is very humid, you could go with one of those small window air
conditioners & a fan to
circulate the cool air.
Cheers Wendy
"Manelli Family" wrote in message
...

"Gene Schurg" wrote in message
newsTpAi.30236$Bv1.3801@trnddc06...
I have no way of telling how much water my swamp cooler actually uses.
When it runs it pumps the water back over the aspen wood pads. It pumps a
small amount of water out into the drain so there isn't a mineral buildup.

When I started the Greenhouse 5 years ago I did not see a big increase in
the waterbill. I don't think the water usage is much.


Thanks Gene. I've been doing some research online and read that they're
not very effective in humid climates. It's very humid where I live.
Think of a tropical jungle. The humidity drops off when the heat starts
to drop, around the middle of Sept. The plants have to come in before the
middle of Oct. which is our first frost date here. Is your climate also
humid?

On Aug 27, 6:15 pm, "Gene Schurg"
wrote:

Yes, DC was built on a drained swamp. From mid-July through Labor day it
can be very sticky.


they don't call it foggy bottom for nothing--!!


We also get that nice hot moist air from our friends
from the south.

yes, the gift that keeps on giving.....

sorry, spent the weekend in an un-air conditioned house in NY and my
brain is still frizzled. :0

--j_a

"Wendy7" wrote in message
...
Well if it is very humid, you could go with one of those small window air
conditioners & a fan to
circulate the cool air.

Air condition a GH? When I win the lottery........ :-D

Ahhhh.

So were not talking about a lot of water. How about a couple 55 gallon
plastic barrells, one for watering with a sump pump and a hose. That's what
I use in my basement where I grow my orchids only with a 12 gallon
container.

The second could have it's own sump pump and hose and be used for filling
the reservoir on the swamp cooler.

If the barrells are dark in color they will hold some heat for cool nights
and days.

I'd watch for sales for the pumps. You wouldn't need the expensive types.

Bob