How To Construct An Orchid Lath House?

A lath house is an open structure designed to provide a balance of light, ventilation, and temperature control for orchids that prefer bright, indirect light and high humidity. Its slatted walls and partial shade create an environment that mimics the orchids’ natural habitat. Larry O’Neil, owner of Larry’s Garden Design and Installation in Jacksonville, explains how to build an orchid shade house.

Selecting the right location for your orchid greenhouse is crucial for their overall health and growth. Consider factors such as sunlight exposure, temperature regulation, convenience, and other factors. High-light genera orchids, such as Epidendrums, Oncidiums, and Vandas, thrive in shade houses.

A lath house floor can be as basic as weed barrier fabric or pebbles. Watering is accomplished with regular rainfall and supplemented with a mix of water and soil. A lath house can be built on a budget, with an 8ft. by 8ft. cube being the most common size.

Orchids can be grown in a lath house, which can be used for tropical foliage plants, mounted Staghorn ferns, orchids, and bromeliads. The floor can be as basic as weed barrier fabric or pebbles. Regular rainfall and supplemented with a mix of water and soil are essential for maintaining the health and growth of orchids.

What is the secret to growing orchids?

Orchids prefer to dry out between waterings, but over-watering can kill more orchids than over-watering. Tepid water is preferred, and it’s best to water early in the day to dry foliage by nightfall. Cooler nights can encourage flowering by allowing daytime temperatures to drop by 10 degrees during the fall. To find the best orchid varieties, consult your local orchid society, such as the National Capital Orchid Society, which can help you identify which varieties thrive in your area.

What is a lath house?

A lath house is a structure constructed from laths or slats that reduces sunlight and facilitates moderate air circulation. It is utilized for the cultivation of plants that require shade and protection from strong winds. Such structures are utilized for the cultivation of plant species that are dependent on shading.

How to care for orchids indoors?

Orchid care involves selecting a bright, indirect light location with a south- or east-facing window, allowing the growing medium to dry completely between waterings, and using lightweight, airy growing media designed for orchids. Orchids are popular houseplants with long-lasting blooms and are easy to care for once you know their ideal conditions. There are thousands of orchid species, with the most commonly sold being in the genera Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, Dendrobium, and Cymbidium. Following this general orchid plant care and growing guide ensures healthy plants with spectacular blooms.

How to properly plant orchids?

Orchids are a beautiful and diverse plant family with over 40, 000 species and 200, 000 hybrid varieties. To maintain a beautiful and blooming orchid, plant them in a loose potting medium like bark or moss, set them in bright, indirect light from a south or east-facing window, keep them humid, and water them when the potting medium dries out. Orchid care includes proper planting, light requirements, watering and fertilization, dealing with common pests and diseases, and reblooming. Orchid propagation is essential for successful propagation and can be done by choosing an orchid and following expert advice.

How do you set up a greenhouse for orchids?

In order to cultivate orchids in a greenhouse environment that is conducive to their growth, it is essential to maintain a high level of humidity, provide cool nighttime temperatures, ensure adequate air circulation, and limit the amount of light exposure, particularly for common orchids such as Phalaenopsis. In the event that one does not possess a greenhouse, it would be prudent to consider the purchase of one from South West Greenhouses.

It is essential to maintain specific conditions within the greenhouse to ensure optimal growth for orchids. These conditions include high humidity, cool nighttime temperatures, good air circulation, and low light.

What type of greenhouse is best for orchids?

Before making a decision on an orchid greenhouse, it is essential to visit multiple greenhouses and consult with manufacturers and books. Window greenhouses are ideal for small-growing orchids, and opt for models with vents and small fans for better ventilation. Two or three shelves can increase space, either solid or perforated. The ideal size for an initial collection is 14 feet wide and 14 to 20 feet long, with a center bench and two side benches.

A large greenhouse is preferable in the long run, as it is less expensive to build now than to add an extension onto a smaller one in the future. Cleanliness is crucial, and regular cleaning of benches and floors with fungicides or bleach is essential to keep pests and fungi at bay. An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program can be created, combining beneficial insects with systemic pesticides for maximum organic pest management. Consult your local agricultural extension for more information on IPM plans, beneficial insects, and local growing conditions.

In summary, following these guidelines will help your orchid greenhouse grow well and provide a good start for your collection.

How to make orchids bloom constantly indoors?

To help your Phalaenopsis orchid rebloom, follow these three simple steps: fertilize every other week with an all-balanced fertilizer, increase light, and find a new spot. Dormancy is a period of rest for your orchid, allowing it to replace nutrients used during blooming. During dormancy, nutrients and water remain stored in the leaves until needed again. Dormancy can last anywhere from 6-9 months, and each orchid may bloom on its own, so it’s important to follow these steps to ensure your orchid’s health and blooms again. Remember to fertilize your plant every other week with an all-balanced fertilizer, increase light, and find a new spot for your plant.

What is the lifespan of an orchid plant indoors?

The lifespan of an orchid depends on various factors, including the type, environment, care, and watering. If properly cared for, orchids can bloom twice a year for 15-20 years, with phalaenopsis orchids typically lasting two to three months. After the initial bloom, the plants go into a resting phase, saving energy for the upcoming flowering season. Some common mistakes made by novice orchid growers include overlooking these details, which are part of the learning process. It’s important to be aware of these mistakes and take steps to ensure the longevity of your orchids.

What wood is used for lath?

Historically, wood lath for plaster was made in three ways: riven lath, accordion lath, and circular sawn lath. Riven lath was traditionally split with the grain from hardwoods or softwoods, making it stronger than later forms. Accordion laths are thin, sawn boards partially split with a hatchet or axe, forming gaps for plaster to key into. After the use of the circular saw in the early 19th century, lath for plastering was sawn in sawmills and delivered to the building site.

From the 1930s to 1940s, plasterboard was used, which was cheaper and easier to use. Counter-lath is a term used in roofing and plastering for a piece of wood placed perpendicular to the lath, providing extra support or spacing the lath off the surface for plaster to pass through. Metal lath, dating from the late 19th century, is used extensively with plaster and stucco in home and commercial construction. It adds strength and rigidity, can be stapled directly to studs, and can bend to form corners and curves. Three coats of plaster are required when using metal lath.

What should you not do with an orchid?

Orchids are the largest and most diverse flowering plant family, with over 880 genera and 22, 000 species. They are typically tropical plants, living as epiphytes or “air plants” hanging on trees for support. Some are lithophytes or “rock plants” growing on or among rocks, while the remaining orchids are terrestrials growing in the loamy detritus of the jungle floor.

To give general guidelines on orchid care, there are only several dozen species widely produced and even fewer available at local nursery. Hybrids, created by crossing different species and genera, are often sold at nurseries, florists, hardware chain stores, and groceries. These hybrids have desirable characteristics such as color, fragrance, flower size, and ease of care, outperforming the challenges of pure orchid species. Today’s orchid hybrids are rewarding house plants to grow and relatively easy to care for if understanding their basic needs is taken.

Can you keep orchids in an unheated greenhouse?

To grow orchids in a greenhouse, ensure the greenhouse is spacious and provides optimal sunlight. Protect the plants from direct or scorching sunlight by using an ideal greenhouse glazing that allows indirect sunlight for at least 10 hours daily during the long season. Use shade cloths to prevent harsh sunlight from burning the orchids. Maintain a greenhouse humidity level between 40-70, and if not in a humid climate, use a humidifier or misting system.

Adjust the greenhouse temperature to 60-80°F (16-27°C) in the daytime and 45-65°F (7-18°C) at night for optimal blooming. A heating system is essential for cold climates. Adequate ventilation is crucial, especially in warmer climates, and roof vents and greenhouse fans can help increase ventilation.

Orchids can take years to grow from seed, so growers typically purchase young plants from local garden supply stores or nurseries. This article focuses on caring for orchids and provides tips on how to grow them from seed.