GrnhsTour

We started out at the Church at 9AM and carpooled to Lucky Hibbert's. Lucky grows in a large outside area and a combination greenhouse, utility porch, informal dining area. She even has a small lighted village under one bench.

Next it was off to Keith Clayton's. Keith grows in a greenhouse that he constucted on his patio and several outside areas. The photo of the inside of his greenhouse is from a previous visit, it has plenty of plants in it now. Keith gave us some hand hints on Heating, cooling, ventilation, and watering systems.

Then it was off to the south to Karen Gant's at Gate's Four. Karen has a Redwood framed greenhouse and also grows outside in the summer but keeps many of her plants in year round. We also were treated to an excellent lunch. Thank you Karen for your hospitality!

Last, but by no means least it was off to Laurenburg to tour Nancy Walker's. Nancy grows in a 14 X 26 foot Turner Greenhouse. She cools her greenhouse and keeps the vast majority of her orchids in year round.

This whole tour was an great opportunity to see how each grower does things a little different, but each with excellent results. It was also a good time for some exchange of hints and tidbits in small groups.

Thanks to everyone that participated in the Fall Greenhouse tour, but ESPECIALLY THE GREENHOUSE HOST!

Our Spring greenhouse tour took place on Saturday April 26th. We visited Jack Webster and Ed Klingenschmidts greenhouses in Southern Pines. Then went to Bob and Pat Kern's for lunch. After lunch we visited Don Beach's greenhouse. Once again we all had a great time and saw four different ways to achive growing orchids. We had about 24 people on the tour this time.

Jack grows most of his orchids here during the winter months and keeps the plants in bud inside to keep the bugs from eating them

His smaller greenhouse is used as a cool growing area. In the summer he grows mostly outside under shade cloth/

Ed grows in a greenhouse he built himself. He sunk it several feet in the ground to decrease heating and cooling. He added salvaged windows and used fibergass panels for the roof. He certainly grows some great orchids here.

Ed has added a used Turner greenhouse that he move to supplement his homemade greenhouse.

Bob grows on window sills and under lights. In summer he moves many of his orchids outdoors. The outdoor shot is from a previous visit. He also has a fantastic Iris growing in his yard.

Don grows in 14 X 28 foot Turner Greenhouse he built from a kit. In the summer he grows outside under shade cloth as he has no cooling in his greenhouse. When an orchid is in bloom Betty considers it HERS and moves it indoors to her breakfast nook.