Greenhouse is ready to go

I put my gh up a few weeks ago, but it's been trial and error since then. Daytime temps have been in the 60s to 70s, but when it's sunny it gets unbearably hot in there. I finally got some shadecloth and made a cover. I would have preferred to have the gh sitting sideways, then I could have just covered the sides and top (no sewing!) But the door had to face south or else there would be no air flow, and the wind would blow into the top vent. Since I put the cover on the temp inside has remained stable, and my plants are looking happy.

I got this for houseplants, but now I'm thinking I would like to start some seeds for the garden. So when you start seeds in a gh, does anyone know do you still cover the seedlings up, like with one of those plastic dome seed starters, or is the humidity in there sufficient?

I need all the advice I can get!

Ann

I'm relatively new at the greenhouse game too, missy, but here's been my experience so far. The seeds that I started on a gro-mat (@72 degrees under a Park Start "Dome", generated roughly 50% faster, and 50% better than ones started in the general GH evironment (min 60 degrees nightime). I'm using Impatiens for my test subjects). I've actually done side-by-side comparisons, and there's no longer any doubt in my mind about the value of bottom heat and humidity. But my heat mat is (necessarily) in a relatively shady part of the GH, so I got real "leggy" seedlings---not what I was looking for! Still working on this one. Right now I'm bringing them out of the cozy environment after the first cotyledons form, but before true leaves evolve. I know this is all wrong according to established wisdom, but I hate leggy seedlings...

Hi Missy,
That greenhouse looks great now with its shade cloth. Am glad it is doing its job now cooling the temp.

As for starting seedlings. I am sure you can do it now. I am not in CA so I don't know your temps or climate.
But I am going to start (I already have wintersowed seeds tho) seeds real soon in my new greenhouse. No heat, etc.
I wouldn't use any other plastic domes in the greenhouse. I would just plant the seeds as instructed in pots. You have enough plastic with the greenhouse to protect it.
Just keep an eye on the temps. tho and make sure the soil doesn't dry out tho.

Carol

Ann, I still cover my seedlings. Tigerlily is really the expert here, maybe she will jump in. I believe she covers hers with Saran Wrap.

I agree with covering the seeds until germination. It is too hard to guesstimate if the medium needs to be moistened so they can germinate. One day they are wet, next day bone dry.

StonoRiver I don't know about established wisdom but I remove my tops before most of my seedlings have true leaves and they do fine. When you get four leaves, pinch those little babies back to two leaves and they will regrow and be bushier. I start my seeds so early they are usually blooming by the time I can plant them and because I pinch several times during the growth cycle, they are very bushy.

Brooke

Nice job on the shade cover missy! Looks like a custom fit!

Wow missy, that is really nice. Are you a seamstress? lol

I am very interested in the question regarding seeds in the GH and the dome issue also. I started some seeds this week and they all had domes on them. There is so much moisture on the inside of the lids and I'm afraid I'm drowning them with all this moisture. I haven't had to water them at all yet. I took the domes off of them today so hopefully they will dry out a little....HELP PLEASE!!!

By the way , have you seen the thread in the California forum regarding the DG gathering we are having on May 19th? Here is a link to view it http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/689654/
I hope you consider coming.

Donna

I had the same fears initially, SoCal. Droplets kept forming inside the plastic covers, and I was sure I was drowning the seeds and inviting fungus. Didn't prove to be true. I've gotten remarkably quick germination (3 days for Salvia pretensis and Kohl Rabi have set the record so far), and I have yet to experience a fungal attack in 6 years. I know it's coming one day, but I've just used normal precautionary steps (I sterilize EVERYTHING before I put it back in use), and it's worked well so far. I think seeds actually LIKE all that moisture!

Stono, thanks for the tip about the heat mat. I ran a search and found the link for the pet bed warmers, so I ordered one. My electrician friend will add a thermostat and plug. As far as the domes go, I guess I'll try it both ways and see how it goes. I have so many packs of seeds at this point that I can try lots of different methods.

Donna, no, I'm not a seamstress but I do a lot of sewing - alterations of my kid's clothes, slipcovers, general home sewing, etc. Do you get any direct sun on your GH? And are you going to shade it?

My GH is on the West side of the house (the only place I had room for it), so I get the afternoon sun, which is usually very warm. I have an indoor/outdoor thermometer and I watch the temps from inside the house. It has been getting pretty warm in there during the afternoons, so I guess I will have to put some type of shade cloth over it, but I'm not as crafty as you are. lol BTW, what is yours made of and where did you purchase it?

Donna

hiya Donna,

the Home Depot sells shadecloth in various lengths and various widths, but I think you'll find Roger's Gardens pretty helpful in that department as well. If you'd like to to have some custom cut for your greenhouse you might try TekSupply.

http://www.teksupply.com

hugs,
don

Thanks for the info Don. I'll take a look at your link and also the other 2 resources.

Donna

Donna, I got my shadecloth at Lowes. The roll was 6' wide by 15' long, and they are on closeout for $5. Please let me know if you would like to make a cover - I'd be more than happy to help!

Ann

Oh Donna, you have your own personal seamstress there in CA, LOL Cool.

But Don, thanks for telling us that HD has the shade cloth. I hadn't known that. But I had gotten mine for only $25 for a 12' x 12' one which I didn't think was too bad.

Missy, that price of $5 was a great deal!!!

Carol

Thanks Ann, I will see if they have any left. I'll contact you if I need help...thanks for the generous offer. :-)
Donna

My whole greenhouse experience has been trial and error - mostly error. Even though I've wanted one for many years, the reason I bought it was because it was marked down to a ridiculously low price and I knew I would never see one this cheap again. Now that it's been up a while I can see that I would have been much better off with one that diffuses light. It gets sooooo hot in there - and the shadecloth keeps the heat down, but doesn't let in much light. So now I'm thinking that maybe I will try to put in some twin wall panels behind my polycarbonate panels. There are little edges around each panel that stick out about 1/2 inch, so it would be easy to pop something in there. I think I could get away with just doing the front and the first rows of the top panels. Maybe having these 2 surfaces with some air space in between would also help insulate it. Does anyone have an opinion about this?