We've moved! I took down the HFGH in one day, but with all of our modifications for support, it was a b$tch.

I have to say that our support system held up really well. All of the treated lumber was in great shape and only 2 screws rusted (had to grind them off). The hardware on the greenhouse held up pretty well also. The bottom frame screws and nuts were a bit rusted, but I was able to get everything apart with a 10mm wrench and a couple of channel locks for the stubborn ones.

What I learned about the project is this: Long-term this greenhouse will do the job if you never plan to move it. After taking it apart, we realized that the panels would have to be replaced. I got an email from HF and they said it would almost be cheaper to buy a brand new kit instead of ordering the panel replacement kit. After all of the intensive preparation work involved in sealing the panels and frame, most of that was damaged when we took it down. So we would have to clean the adhesive off first and then re-strip it. That is NOT worth the effort. We used weather stripping and it stuck VERY tight. There is adhesive gunk everywhere.

But it was worth it. We only had a couple of drips even during the most severe thunderstorms.

As far as the swamp cooler, it did okay. I didn't like the gale force blowing action of the fan. It was too loud and I had to divert the wind away from direct contact with the orchids. It did cool, but it was too small for our climate. Adding the air conditioner was very helpful.

The wet wall was useful, but I would not put that in again.

The rocket mass heater did work well, but we would not put the "mass" into a new GH. We would reconfigure the design.

The benches worked great, but when I moved to mostly vandas, they got in the way. We would rethink the ideas.

The hot water heater was the BEST improvement. The orchids definitely grew better with heated water. The other great improvement was the overhead hose. Keeping the hose out of the way is critical in tight spots. The next greenhouse will have to be wider.

Bottom line: great greenhouse on a budget and if you don't plan to move.
Our next greenhouse will have to be a different brand, because it will have to be wider. Having walking room is critical to enjoyment of the space. If you are constantly having to duck down and squeeze past plants, it becomes a chore.

I hope this helps!

It sure sounds like you have a great plan figured out and now just needs to be acted upon, Melissa.

Melissa, you put so much work into setting up your GH, and then more work into taking it down to move... and then to have it not be worth setting back up because you'd have to replace all the panels...

But, you now have a much better idea of what will work best for you, and the HF definitely was a learning experience -- so maybe it was just one of those things that are meant to be; you likely would have just continued to "make do" with the HF for quite some time, rather than taking it down and putting up something different.

Sandy, it's not all bad though. We learned a lot for not a lot of money. Also, we will offer the used kit to one of the society members. There is always one person who wants to try a greenhouse without too much expense and a "free" one might work for them if they want to try to clean the panels. It's all about the priorities.

My main deal is that I need more width so that I can hang the vandas in rows. 10' across just doesn't cut it. We are looking at either a 14'x20' or a 16'x20' GrowSpan Gothic Pro. It was recommended by several Florida vanda growers years ago in a paper presentation.

Thanks for the update Melissa. I'm still in the process for completing mine. I decided to add wood supports and then the rain came and well........
Can you explain what you mean by an overhead water hose?

Congrats on your move @shadytrake! I remember following your rocket mass heater build and water wall with great interest. But now you can expand on your first project and make it better than ever!! We learn some things by doing. And since you've done "it", it can only get better! I can't wait to watch your next greenhouse!

luckyzl230 said:Thanks for the update Melissa. I'm still in the process for completing mine. I decided to add wood supports and then the rain came and well........
Can you explain what you mean by an overhead water hose?

Post #671705 on page 24 of this thread. I explain it in detail.

Here's a link to the post, Lucky: http://garden.org/thread/view_...

(the page number it is on depends on how many posts per page that you have your preferences set for; I only have 5 pages in the entire thread )

Thanks I see how that comes in handy now.
I haven't did an update lately so thought I'd post some pics of my progress

1st, Let me just say that I didn't think my idea would involve so much work. But it will be worth it in the end.
2nd, I've decided to take my time now as even if I had it up by tomorrow I wouldn't be able to put anything in it. It would be to hot for anything.

As I said, I was going to use 2X4s as supports instead of EMT. I have 2 vertical support beams on each wall right now. All are painted with Redwood Semi-Transpart stain. This will also be the color of my benches so thought it would look good this way.

For the front beams I drilled them in with 2 inch zinc plated screws where the head sits lower that the Frame bolts. That insures me they will not be sticking out when I install the panels.



For the other beams it got tricky and I had to create some jigs to help me. I bought 4 inch sheet metal screw with a washer and a bolt for each. I had to use bolt cutters and then a grinder to smooth out the sharp edges. These screws fit perfectly in the chamber and slid up and down nice. I drilled some holes in the 2X4s slightly bigger than the bolt. Then it was a perfect fit. I used 3 screws, bolts and washers for each beam.




Now, if it were just that easy I already knew that it wouldn't sit flush with the frame because of the cross beams and the diagonal beams. So, I notched out each spot and then repainted.
Afterwards they all fit perfectly. You can definitely tell it is stronger already. I do plan to put some 90 degree braces on the bottom to secure the 2X4 to the 4X4 foundation.







I already have the horizontal beams that will rest on top vertical beams all away round the whole greenhouse notched, sized and painted.
I will also have two additional horizontal beams going across the middle of the greenhouse to each 2X4. Just like others have done with EMT.
After that I can work on my A-Frame and be ready to put the panels up.
I know it's overkill but it's my idea and I'm proud of my work

FYI: When you have an idea in your head sometimes it seems so easy. Until you try to execute it is when you think "what have I got myself into

luckyzl230 said:
FYI: When you have an idea in your head sometimes it seems so easy. Until you try to execute it is when you think "what have I got myself into

Lucky, I'm pretty sure my husband would modify that to "when Sandy has an idea in her head she thinks it is going to be so easy... what has she gotten me into now?"

Weedwhacker said:

Lucky, I'm pretty sure my husband would modify that to "when Sandy has an idea in her head she thinks it is going to be so easy... what has she gotten me into now?"

Paul's sentiments exactly. I'm like "Honey, here is what I want to do." He responds.

seems we all have experienced that same feeling or on the other side of the feeling

Ric and I just got home from a 2 week trip. The neighbor came and took very good care of the GH plants while we were gone. It was so nice to see new blooms and growth. Here are a few pics.

Newest bloomer


Last years geraniums these weren't much more than dry sticks when we left.


Rabbit foot fern Kokodama ball


Ivy leaf Geranium

Melissa, Are there any GH supply's near you? I plan to buy double or triple wall poly panels (8-10mm) when we need replacements. I also plan to replace them as needed not all at once. Buying a 4x12' or 6x12' panel gives you 4-6 panels, cutting the cost to about $28/each. Getting them home is no problem if you cut them at the supplier. All you need is a drywall square and a safety knife.

ShadyGreenThumb said:So we had this downpour. I was in the GH closing the windows when it started. I decided to sit and watch for any huge leaks since it was coming straight down without wind. I was pleased the most of the leaks came from the crown beam where I hadn't sealed at all. And it wasn't that bad. I don't intend to make it air tight, I just want to stop the large obvious leaks. The roll of rope insulation should stop the crown leak. I found two panel leaks at the end of the panel where it meets the gutter. And I noticed the panels are not tightly caulked in in some places. QUESTION: Does caulk perform the same as weather stripping as far as air leaks and keeping heat in and cold out? I didn't weather strip the panels, only caulk them tight and wonder if I should have??

I wasn't sure if this was answered? I went through all the posts again to see if I missed something.
Today we had our 1st down pour and found multiple leaks. Of course vents leaked but not to bad. The big ones were 1 at the very top where the two pieces meet to form the crown. The screws are tight but water seems to seep through where to the two meet comes down in a steady drip almost a steady stream. Any ideas how to fix this?
The other two major leaks are at the gutters where the two pieces meet. Again the screws are tight but water seem to find a way in and leaks really bad. Thought of using silicone where the thin gap is where the two pieces meet.
Also, did anyone use something at the top of the vents where it slides on the crown? There is a big opening even when the vents are closed where water comes in.

luckyzl230 said:

I wasn't sure if this was answered? I went through all the posts again to see if I missed something.
Today we had our 1st down pour and found multiple leaks. Of course vents leaked but not to bad. The big ones were 1 at the very top where the two pieces meet to form the crown. The screws are tight but water seems to seep through where to the two meet comes down in a steady drip almost a steady stream. Any ideas how to fix this?
The other two major leaks are at the gutters where the two pieces meet. Again the screws are tight but water seem to find a way in and leaks really bad. Thought of using silicone where the thin gap is where the two pieces meet.
Also, did anyone use something at the top of the vents where it slides on the crown? There is a big opening even when the vents are closed where water comes in.

We weather stripped everything before we put the panels in and we didn't use our vents. We sealed them with silicone and aluminum taped them shut. Ours was really tight with no leaks.

Did you have to silicone the gutters? I've noticed my gutters leak in the center where the two pieces meet. My crown does the same thing where they meet in the center.

luckyzl230 said:Did you have to silicone the gutters? I've noticed my gutters leak in the center where the two pieces meet. My crown does the same thing where they meet in the center.

Probably, but I don't remember. My hubby went over every square inch of it during a downpour and got it tight.

I silicone-ed everything. I guess that stopped most of those leaks I posted about back when. And I used that tube insulation. Now I only have to leaking windows. And they don't really bother me. What I don't like is that the clear silicone looks really dirty now. I wish I used grey or a non-clear silicone. The raccoons messed up the tube insulation. I will have to re-insulate when it cools down out there.

Since I cover a majority of the GH with a solar blanket I don't mind the side and roof panels from having some leaks since I heat with a non-vented propane heater, but I did find some end panels that could use caulking when I scrubbed the inside of the panels preparing for winter.
If I don't have enough air infiltration the CO2 sensor in the heater will shut the system down.
I used caulk in most of the assembly, only using the foam striping on the vents and original door. We are preparing for our 3rd winter and are expecting freezing temps tonight, so it's a busy day, moving all the tropicals in for the season.