I hope to be able to clear out the greenhouse in the Spring to the day I die?

Now back to reality - I will have to reduce the number of Orchids I now shoe-horn into the greenhouse in the Fall, that would be the first step.
And then - if possible move some onto the deck, clean that corner, move them back into their spots. If it is too cold to do that, simply shift them to a different spot in the greenhouse/front room, clean up, and move them back.
In the early years of growing in the greenhouse during the indoor season I did clean in-between, I still wash out the trays regularly. But it gets too hard to do that since there is not that much room to maneuver with so many plants.
Also, if I can't clear out the Orchids in the Spring, I will install the shade cloth and luckily I do have air-conditioning installed, which I then will need to keep going. (I took it off-line last month. ) Otherwise it would be a bit too hot on those 90 degree days here. Right now the wall-fan coupled with the Alu- shade cloth keeps temperature below 100 degr F.

I scrubbed mine down early in the spring, but I need to do it again ! But have been using it to let plants dry out with all the rain we've been having. Even w/o plants in there, it still get's "green" stuff growing on the walls with the high humidity, even with two fan's running.

That's what Physan is for, Mj. It's widely used as an algae preventative in greenhouses. Btw, it will also help prevent fungal infection on your orchids . .

I had to break down and get a small bottle of it last year when I was really battling with the black rot - and all that rain! It keeps the algae from growing on the screening of my pool cage, too. At the rate I'm going I have enough to last the rest of my life, using it 2tsp. per gallon.

We didn't get a drop of rain today - again! I see you were getting some more . . we just can't win.

I have a small bottle too of Physan, actually forgot till you mentioned it. If I can just get the stuff out of the way I'll make some up and use it. 2 tsps per gallon for scrubbing ?

Yup, I need a giant yard fan ! It rained so hard here the other day and the wind so strong it literally blew water clear up under the overhang past the doors of the main barn...that's about 20 ft. of overhang.

I am considering of spraying the whole inside of the greenhouse with Physan before I move my Orchids back inside in the Fall. Hopefully that will cut down on the green film everywhere. The glass walls were really gummed up this year!

That's what I do, Ursula. October (for me) is when I spray all the side-walls down with Physan. I actually use a 1-10 dilution of Outdoor Bleach for the fabric flooring though. Most pests don't like bleach, and if it doesn't kill whatever is lurking under that fabric, in the mulch sub-flooring, it makes them flee.

Just remember not to spray Physan directly on your orchids. It will destroy a naturally protective waxy coating on the leaves and do your plants more harm than good.

Jim

No kidding? Wow, that's a gem of info if ever there was one. I didn't spray my orchids, but I did spray my plumeria lightly to see if I could prevent the rusty fungus it gets in the summer. It worked last year and the bush doesn't seem to be the worse for wear.

I suppose you could still use it as a drench to prevent black rot in the root area on orchids, though? I've been using the Bayer stuff, but still have some plants struggling.

Man, how I've been wrong for years. Every few months, during the fall/winter when everything is inside the greenhouses, I spray ALL my orchids with Physan. I have never seen damage, but then what do I know. I may have had some die (certainly no large ones though) and never knew why.

Here is another tip; it is deadly to fish. Do not use on or near fish tanks or ponds. Southern Ag makes a similar product called SA-20 and calls it a disinfectant which is a better term than fungicide. I bought some when I couldn't find Physan as the two are comprised of the same stuff. I took it to the orchid club meeting for one of my learning moment talks and the guest speaker (a well known grower) chimed in about what it would do to orchids if sprayed directly. I would not use it on any part of the plant including roots. It is strictly to be used on hard surfaces.

Jim

OK, got it. I have been fortunate then. No damage that I am aware of. I don't live near a fish pond.

Good to know, Jim. My fish tanks are now washed out and empty, but I better be careful when I treat the windows and shelves in the Fall as not to spray the tanks by accident.

In the meanwhile -
@Shadytrake ( Melissa) and her husband have been building a most interesting Greenhouse ( see heater set up and more) for their Orchids. If you would like to see the construction of their Orchid- specific greenhouse, follow along here
The thread "Harbor Freight Greenhouse projects" in Greenhouses forum
starting June 8. 2014 post 633812
and finishing yesterday.

Congrats on a job well done!

Wow! Very impressive!

Jim Hawk, you had asked to see some shots of our pergola. I had put these shots together when I installed the overhead mister system. When we were building the pergola we don't stop to make a video for you tube. I do wish we had taken some before and after shots. We added an inline timer and have it set to water at 7:00AM for about 20 min. We also run it around 1:00PM most days.

Pergola from outside. Installing automated overhead mister system for Vandas. Vandas are moved close to the FL room to have room to work.


Pergola post detail.


Pergola is tied into the room of the FL Room.


Overhead mister system installed.


Close up of mister spraying.


Wide shot of misters spraying.


Misters in place and Vandas back in place.

Very impressive, Bud. It must be that mister that makes your Vandas so happy.

Jim

It looks great!! Must be wonderful to sit there with a glass of wine and a good read!

I started this morning moving my plants back inside. These pictures here is the result of ca 3 hours, relocating mostly Cattleyas and larger Vandas from the cage into the greenhouse.
I am happy, the Cattleyas show lots of good growth, this was a decent Summer vacation for them outside.

Wow! What a wonderful clean environment! No wonder your orchids are doing so well.

Jim

NICE! And I didn't know that about Physan. That explains why I killed those 5 flasks.... Live and learn.