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About to buy a green house, help!

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2012 12:02 am
by rellenburg
I am trying to decide between 2 greenhouses that are in my price range. It would be nice to have more of a budget, but it is what it is. They are http://www.shelterlogic.com/ProductDeta ... reenhouses and http://www.harborfreight.com/lawn-garde ... 47712.html

I live in upstate SC in zone 7, and I grow mostly Dionaea and Drosera. My biggest concern with the 10x20 model is that the plastic only allows 70% light penetration and I'm concerned that it will not keep the plants warm enough during the winter. On the other hand it is bigger and would probably keep the temp a bit more stable than the small 6x8. Any input would be much appreciated, and if anyone has these models (especially the Shelterlogic) I'd love to hear your opinions. I plan to order 1 or the other in the next couple of days. Thanks.

Re: About to buy a green house, help!

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2012 4:36 pm
by Dionae
I just put up the 6x8 greenhouse. I love it but I do wish I had more room in it.

Re: About to buy a green house, help!

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2012 9:51 pm
by rellenburg
Yeah, I saw your thread, congrats! It looks great! I'm not quite as concerned with the room as I am with the ability to stay warm enough through dormacy not to hurt my plants. I know that 1 greenhouse will not be big enough in the long run by itself no matter which 1 I choose. Does anyone have 1 similar to the shelter logic 1 or a homemade with this type of plastic allowing around 70% light penetration? I'm just wondering what I can expect the inside temp to be on a 20 degree night, and also what temp will damage the plants (Mostly Dionaea and Drosera)?

Re: About to buy a green house, help!

Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 12:04 am
by Dionae
Also if you buy the 6x8 be ready to modify it. I have a panel that keeps blowing off. Going to have to get some self tapping screws and screw the panels in place then put some clear silicone around them for a lil more insulation. The door isnt that great either and will have to be modified because it definitely isnt sealed when closed now.

Re: About to buy a green house, help!

Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 2:29 am
by rellenburg
Thanks for the input! I have almost decided to go with the shelter logic. I can't seem to get any responses about the temp ?'s from anyone, but on searching around different forums most people seem to be happy with their purchases. Only common modification is to add a pipe at the bottom of the front and rear ends (simply slide into existing pouch on fabric). I guess this will keep me above 35 degrees?

Re: About to buy a green house, help!

Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 3:58 pm
by Dionae
Youre going to need a heater no matter what kind you get. When the sun is out your greenhouse will be a lil warmer than outside but at night its going to be the same temp as outside if you dont have a heater. If you want to stay above a certain temp get a heater and a thermostat.

Re: About to buy a green house, help!

Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 4:53 pm
by rellenburg
Thanks again! I have never had a greenhouse before and I wasn't sure if it would hold some heat overnight or not. I don't really have a good way to heat it, so I may have to come up with a different plan If that's the case.

Re: About to buy a green house, help!

Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 5:00 pm
by Dionae
A good, insulated, probably expensive, greenhouse may hold some heat but you'd probably still need a heater to keep it at a temp you want it at. Would probably be a lot easier to insulate and maintain temps with the 6x8. I plan on adding bubble wrap to the inside of mine for a lil more insulation.

Re: About to buy a green house, help!

Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 8:44 pm
by rellenburg
That could work. I may just abandon the outdoor greenhouse idea for now, and build a larger version of an insulated growth chamber like I have now. I have an unheated 3-bay garage on the adjacent property to my house that I pay a minimum power bill every month anyway, and it just sits unused. I could just add lights and flex-watt heat tape, and control them with timers and thermostats. I already have all of these components except a light fixture. I may look into a greenhouse next year, because the electricity to heat it will have to be supplied from my house, and my power bill there is high enough already. Thanks so much for your advice, and I hope you get the bugs worked out of your greenhouse and continue to enjoy it!

Re: About to buy a green house, help!

Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2012 4:42 pm
by Starchy
pieguy had a thread regarding heating his G/H here ----> http://www.flytrapcare.com/phpBB3/green ... 16794.html

Re: About to buy a green house, help!

Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 12:39 am
by dianaevoni
I put up a small greenhouse from WeatherPort and it's been great. Wish I got a bigger one now though. It definitely keeps the plants warm during the Winter.

Re: About to buy a green house, help!

Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 1:04 am
by stevelau1911
If you are growing CPs that prefer brighter lights, I would not go with the shelterlogic type which blocks out over half the sunshine with it's white fabric. I currently use one going on it's 3rd winter, and the cover has worn down so much that I needed to put another layer of greenhouse film over it just to keep the holes patched up. The cover only lasts for 2 seasons. I like the shelterlogic frame, but it's cover sucks. At least I'm only growing temperate plants that don't require that much light through the colder months so it's not that big of a deal.

I would suggest going with the clear plastic greenhouses with the green lining fabric since those are more easily reparable and allow more light to come through.

Here's a forum thread with tons of pictures showing my experience with greenhouses.
i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/stevelau1911/DSC02702_zpspebjtonq.jpg

Re: About to buy a green house, help!

Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 1:06 am
by stevelau1911
stevelau1911 wrote:i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/stevelau1911/DSC02702_zpspebjtonq.jpg

This is the actual thread, sorry about that.
http://www.bambooweb.info/bb/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=3670