Question
QUESTION: HELP! My greenhouse overheated to 125 F for three days in a row. I now have automatic vent openers but my orchids and nepenthes are all turning yellow. Two of my orchids have already died :( sadly. How do I recover them. I have one phalenopsis now and one dendrobium.


ANSWER: Caleb, see if you can cover your greenhouse with a shade cloth if you haven't already.  Then move your plants closer to the floor until they recover.  They will need to grow new shoots snd leaves and may lose those that got overheated. It might be beter to bring the phal inside the house where it will get less light and more constant temperature.  Yu also can purchase a thermometer with a remote sending unit so you can monitor the greenhouse temp.  On some, you can even set an alarm to go off if the temp goes outside certain preset limits.  These cost less than $50 and can be found at Lowes and other garden locations.

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QUESTION: Thanks, I have a remote thermometer but I could not find one with an alarm. How much are shade cloths? My greenhouse is 10' x 12'.

Answer
Calleb, I purchased my shade cloth from Charley's Greenhouse (charleysgreenhouse.com).  They have a a large number of selections in color and size and they are grommeted.  I have the same size greenhouse that you have and I think my shade cloth cost $50-60.  In my most recent catalogue from them, the 50 % cloth was 0.66 cents per square foot so for a 10 x 12 that probably runs about $80 plus shipping.  They also have a remote thermometer system with alarm (#6771) for about $60.  Un fortunately it has a lot of "bells and whistles" that most of us would nmever use.  I have been very satisfied with their service.