Getting used to the mini-greenhouse

Posts

• Winston_The_Gravity_Man Posts: 263

  May 2023

  That's a very nice looking piece of kit 🙂.  Pity they're sold out but as a matter of interest, how much did it cost, please ? 
  
  From the advert I'd say it looks like polycarbonate, which is usually double or triple skinned, and double skinned is what yours looks like.  The advantage of polycarb is that it keeps the interior at a fairly steady temperature.  
  
  As to disadvantages, unless the ends are sealed with a waterproof tape or similar, algae can grow inside the channels and that can become a bit unsightly.   Unless it's UV stabilised (cheaper polycarb isn't) it can become a little bit brittle after only a few years sun exposure.  If the wood isn't treated (it doesn't say that it is in the advert) you might well get problems with it rotting so maybe paint it with some preservative or teak oil soonish ?
  
  What temperature to ventilate ?  Good question.  What's too warm for one plant won't be for another so I suppose time and experience will be the best indicators.  However, ventilation for humidity is just as important and I'd say you need to open it up if it's a warm day before condensation starts to form inside.
  
  I'm sure someone else will be along quite soon to answer your questions more fully. 😁

  When there's always biscuits in the tin, where's the fun in biscuits ?
  

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• Escapetothegarden Posts: 188

  May 2023 edited May 2023

  Thank you for your reply @Winston_The_Gravity_Man
  
  Thank you! It was £49.99 with another £10 for postage.  I do feel it is a bit lightweight but serves it purpose very well.
  
  The description says the wood was fir.  It’s not treated - can I still use teak oil if it’s not teak? It def needs protection (I guess I should have done this before using it but was too eager!)
  
  I had a look this morning; the temperature was just above 9 degrees and it was all steamed up - thank you for your advice - I have opened it very slightly (hoping it is ok to do this this early!)
  
  Thank you for all the useful info 💐
  
  
  

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• AnniD Posts: 12,585

  May 2023

  If it's been in the sun the polycarbonate should retain some heat overnight by a degree or two above the outside temperature, but tomato seedlings are notoriously sensitive to the slightest chill (in my experience).
  
  Opening the lid slightly will clear any condensation that's built up overnight, so l'd agree with that 
  
  How much sunshine does it get at the moment? 
  I have something similar but with glass, and l use an old net curtain to give it some shade when the Sun gets round to it.
  
  The aquilegia should be fine leaving the lid open overnight, but the tomatoes and courgettes mean l would close it at night with those temperatures. 
  
  I think teak oil would be fine to preserve it, but l'm sure others will confirm .
  
  I expect you've found the reset button on the right hand side of the thermometer (marked "clear"). They really are useful. 
  I'm sure others will have more advice,  l need more tea 😁.

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• Nel_Staffs Posts: 93

  May 2023 edited May 2023

  Just a note on your max/min thermometer. The max and min temperatures displayed will only change if the temp gets higher than the displayed max or lower than the displayed min. So, if you're interested  to know the fluctuations on a daily basis, you'll need to reset/clear the display every day. I usually do mine in a morning, so I can see how cold it got overnight and the heat of the day is yet to come!  😊 

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• Fairygirl Posts: 55,117

  May 2023

  Mine is nearly always opened slightly, unless it's the same temp outside and that's in single figures. Even then, if it's a frosty day then sunny, I open it. Ventilation is really important. Damp soil can create problems due to the humidity it creates, even if it isn't that hot. 
  I don't have my tomatoes out there until they're big enough, and able to withstand the night time temps - ie in consistent double figs, which is about now normally. Anything else - annual seedlings etc, can manage lower temps if they're doing well enough. I don't put anything tiny in there earlier than this, unless it's a hardy plant, although the dahlias are there - but inside another layer of plastic boxes, also with a gap for ventilation.
  If I've sown half hardy seeds, they get that too - sown in  a propagator, then inside the growhouse. That's still slower than in the house, but it depends on location. 

  It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
  
  
  
  I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...

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• Latimer Posts: 1,068

  May 2023

  In terms of quality of the product, I purchased the Aldi coldframes a few years ago which have basically the same construction. The Polycarbonate has onw fallen apart, particularly the one on top that gets the most sun. The timber seems to be holding up reasonably well, I didn't treat it at all. 
  
  I'm planning on buying some replacement sheet plastic to replace what was there

  I’ve no idea what I’m doing. 

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• Fairygirl Posts: 55,117

  May 2023

  I have the bigger version of @Escapetothegarden's one - I think we discussed it in another thread. Probably made by the same company - Rowlinson   
  I've had mine for around 8 years, and the polycarbonate is getting damaged @Latimer, so I'm in the same position as you.
  I varnished the wood early on, which has helped, but that's all peeling, and because the whole thing is needing attention now, I'm considering a replacement, and possibly something bigger,  but that's for later in the year. I don't have enough room for a bigger greenhouse. It comes down to finances too, and whether it's worth it.

  It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
  
  
  
  I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...

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• Escapetothegarden Posts: 188

  May 2023

  AnniD said:

  If it's been in the sun the polycarbonate should retain some heat overnight by a degree or two above the outside temperature, but tomato seedlings are notoriously sensitive to the slightest chill (in my experience).
  
  Opening the lid slightly will clear any condensation that's built up overnight, so l'd agree with that 
  
  How much sunshine does it get at the moment? 
  I have something similar but with glass, and l use an old net curtain to give it some shade when the Sun gets round to it.
  
  The aquilegia should be fine leaving the lid open overnight, but the tomatoes and courgettes mean l would close it at night with those temperatures. 
  
  I think teak oil would be fine to preserve it, but l'm sure others will confirm .
  
  I expect you've found the reset button on the right hand side of the thermometer (marked "clear"). They really are useful. 
  I'm sure others will have more advice,  l need more tea 😁.

  Thank you for your reply! @AnniD
  
  I have one tiny tomato seedling which I’ll move indoors then … the tomato plants are a bit bigger (some at 15cm) so I think they will be ok? The courgette are refusing to germinate so I guess I will have to be patient! 
  
  It is facing north but gets light from the west side.  It’s against a wall but exposes on its western side…
  
  I did find the button 😅 
  

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• Escapetothegarden Posts: 188

  May 2023

  Nel_Staffs said:

  Just a note on your max/min thermometer. The max and min temperatures displayed will only change if the temp gets higher than the displayed max or lower than the displayed min. So, if you're interested  to know the fluctuations on a daily basis, you'll need to reset/clear the display every day. I usually do mine in a morning, so I can see how cold it got overnight and the heat of the day is yet to come!  😊 

  Thank you! That was useful! 

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• Escapetothegarden Posts: 188

  May 2023

  Fairygirl said:

  Mine is nearly always opened slightly, unless it's the same temp outside and that's in single figures. Even then, if it's a frosty day then sunny, I open it. Ventilation is really important. Damp soil can create problems due to the humidity it creates, even if it isn't that hot. 
  I don't have my tomatoes out there until they're big enough, and able to withstand the night time temps - ie in consistent double figs, which is about now normally. Anything else - annual seedlings etc, can manage lower temps if they're doing well enough. I don't put anything tiny in there earlier than this, unless it's a hardy plant, although the dahlias are there - but inside another layer of plastic boxes, also with a gap for ventilation.
  If I've sown half hardy seeds, they get that too - sown in  a propagator, then inside the growhouse. That's still slower than in the house, but it depends on location. 

  Thank you for the tips! I have my courgette seeds in there with a lid on as I wasn’t sure - will keep it slightly off as you suggest. 👍
  

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