Orangerie or Conservatory

10 years ago

This is after the first day. The build will be done today. Then I need to work on the interior and would love any suggestions as to paint, lighting, fans, etc.

There are 8' windows on three sides. The floor, walls and ceiling are insulated. Sheetrock is on the walls and I probably should have used something else.

This is mainly for my citrus. I have tried for several years to grow them here but the winter cold kills them. I had a gazebo up in this spot with plastic around and Christmas lights in it but they still did not do well. So, I decided to bite the bullet and build something that could be heated in the winter.

The summer they may stay inside, or I'll take them out if it is better. Our summers are in the upper 90s to lower 100's for many days, thus the solid roofing.

Ellie

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

poncirusguy6b452xx
10 years ago
Sheet rock is the correct material. It should be painted bright white high gloss for best results. installing white window blind will help a lot when you are dependent on your own lighting. For the trees dependent on on sunlight I set the lights to come on at sunset and turn off at 1:00 AM. This worked wonders. Definitely put the trees outside as soon as frost danger is over. A full day of clouds beets 16 hours of CFL's any day and a full day of sunlight beet everything, plus you save electric $$$$$

occasional use of a good ceiling fan on high will keep your tree from becoming soft.

This is where I winter my seed grown meiwa, nagami and sweetlee tangerine trees.

{{gwi:557507}}
Light at 80 degrees is EVERY THING.

You will need a ceiling fan to keep the air evenly mixed. I used a lower chamber to grow greens and to keep the citrus roots warm.

You have a very nice looking building.

Steve
meyermike_1micha
10 years ago
What a wonderful job!!! I would love to build something similar...I would sit and read in there as often as I could while enjoying the surrounding of my citrus trees...

So many windows! Just enough to do you very well all year long as long as you give them lot's of sunlight outside too..

Why don't you use a water proof pain on your walls and put tile or cement flooring down so you could have all the humidity in there you want without fear of mold issues..
You could also hose down all your plants without ruing anything...
Just a though:-)

Also, try installing some ceiling fan, at least one to keep the air in there flowing.

Too you could install an auto vent that opens towards the roof for when temps rise above the 70's...

Great job!
Related Professionals
Lake Oswego Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · New Mexico Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Saint Matthews Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Tomball Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Frisco Landscape Contractors · Annandale Landscape Contractors · Dallas Landscape Contractors · Eustis Landscape Contractors · Lemay Landscape Contractors · Mission Landscape Contractors · Salem Landscape Contractors · St. Louis Landscape Contractors · Crowley Landscape Contractors · Clearfield Landscape Contractors · Dent Stone, Pavers & Concrete
ellieinredding
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you so much for talking to me about this. I did get a ceiling fan for it so glad you agree. Electrician is coming Tues. It is wired inside with 12/2 so I can have 1500 watts of Christmas lights (c9). And other lights. My grandson dug the 50' ditch and the elect will put it on its own 20 or 30 amp circuit.

Got the paint and the extra little packets to mix in to prevent mold.

Ellie