I'm wondering if their is one that is small enough for me to afford, yet large enough to get tropical plants and trees into? And how do I keep it heated in the winter here in zone 6b/7a?
Thanks
Maureen
Anyone have pics of their greenhouse they can share?
Maureen, I'll let someone with a greenhouse in your zone answer you on this one. I just have a cheap portable one that does the trick, but it doesn't get as cold here as where you are. I have the one called Springhouse: http://search.store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/nsearch
I'm not sure what zone you are in, but that would probably determine what sort of greenhouse or heating you need. In general, you will want to keep the plumerias above 40 at night for the winter while they are dormant. If you can keep them even warmer, so much the better. Greenhouses tend to get very warm in the daytime in the winter if you have sun, and that can help to warm the soil in the pots and help the plants cope with the cool nighttime temps.
I had the same type Maureen. Used a small ceramic heater, but it ate the power. You would need something with a thicker wall (better insulated) in your area with a gas heater (electric if its small) I would think.
Davie
This message was edited Mar 17, 2008 7:45 PM
HI Clare. How are you? How are your plumies doing? Thanks for the info on the greenhouse.
dbrooks, thanks for the response,. I appreciate it.
Maureen, we aren't that cold here either, but at least I can supply a picture to give you an idea of size. We got the small Harbor Freight greenhouse which is 8' x 6'.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/fp.php?pid=4346193
Kaperc, thank you for the pic. It's really nice. I just don't know how I would get it heated and situated in my yard in the winter. I have no idea of what type of a heater or ventilation I would use. I'll have to pick the brains of locally gardeners and see what they use.
I'm glad we don't have that worry. Our coldest nights usually come with very clear days, so the g/h will protect plumeria enough to avoid damage.
wow, that sure is a nice greenhouse.. wish I had space for that. We built a 6 x7 ft greenhouse/potting shed in an unused corner of my house with the luck that the clothes dryer vent goes out into it.. supplies nice warm humid air.. I need all the humidity I can get. I keep it warm with an oil filled heater.. the plants can be close to it without burning them. Our lows here get into the 20's and an occasional high teens. My plants do very well in there through the winter. It is insulated on 2 sides by my house and the top and other sides are just the clear corregated PVC... which a hail storm put a hole in the roof soon after it was built.. we just added another sheet of the stuff.. now it is double thick.
Tammie
Tammie,
How lucky are you that the dryer vents to a spot you can use? I've always wanted to harness that heat/humidity, but our vent is not convenient. We love our g/h - it's perfect for our uses and didn't cost an arm and a leg. HF has sales several times a year, plus we discounted it more with an extra-off coupon. Also, it helps hide the compost bin. :-)
Kathleen