Question
Greenhouse care
This summer I bought an 8x6 harborfreight greenhouse and I am trying to grow some highland neps. in it this winter.I have had them in the greenhouse this summer and they're doing great.I am using the 50% shade cloth that you recommended,I had to order it online because they only carried 70% at jerrys,lowes,homedepot and others.
My question, is the shade cloth used to the lessen the heat inside the greenhouse or to lessen the direct sunlight the plants may receive or both? Also when do you recommend taking the shade cloth off? I live in western Oregon,the same area as you.I have a ceramic heater in the greenhouse to keep them warm on cold days and caulked all the gaps in the greenhouse to help with cold air getting in.Do you have any advise on keeping them happy during winter months? Thanks for your time and sorry for the novice questions.
AnswerHi Tom,
We usually remove our shade cloth right around the equinox at the end of this month. At that point the nights get longer than the days, so you want to maximize the sun.
Caulking the greenhouse was a very good idea. We have the larger model of this greenhouse that we're using for our flytraps and it became obvious that the panels don't fit super tight. The flytrap house is just a cold-frame, but you'll be heating yours. The ceramic heater will work quite well.
It will be good to invest in a couple more items. One is a wireless thermometer with a freeze alarm. This will tell you if the heater stops working for some reason. (Power outage, blown circuit breaker etc...) The other is a small propane heater. At some point you will have a power outage. You want the type that is highly efficient so it has no CO output. Here's an example of one: http://www.mrheater.com/product.aspx?catid=41&id=24
The last thing would be to be ready to remove snow if we get a big snow storm this winter. These greenhouses don't look very strong, although the smaller one probably has a stronger roof than the larger one.
Good Growing!
Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com
