Thank You, Greenhouse!

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fanaticactus
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Location: Grand Isle Co., Vermont

Thank You, Greenhouse!

Post by fanaticactus »

My greenhouse lets me enjoy Spring a bit early, even here in northwestern Vermont. Here are the first five to bloom this year, presented in order, starting March 6 and ending March 28. Sorry--I didn't label the first one; it's a Stenocactus erectocentrus
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Catch a falling star--but don't try it with a cactus!
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Aiko
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Re: Thank You, Greenhouse!

Post by Aiko »

You are early with your flowers of cacti. I only still have some mesembs in flower.
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ElieEstephane
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Re: Thank You, Greenhouse!

Post by ElieEstephane »

Greenhouses are a blessing to those in cold climate.
Gymnocalycium, mammillaria, echinopsis and notocactus are blooming here since late february naturally. The growing season lasts here from mid february to late october so adding a greenhouse will severly affect dormancy and thus flowering (negatively) except for tropical species.
There are more cacti in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
One of the few cactus lovers in Lebanon (zone 11a) :mrgreen:
fanaticactus
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Re: Thank You, Greenhouse!

Post by fanaticactus »

ElieEstephane wrote: Sat Mar 30, 2019 1:59 am Greenhouses are a blessing to those in cold climate.
Gymnocalycium, mammillaria, echinopsis and notocactus are blooming here since late february naturally. The growing season lasts here from mid february to late october so adding a greenhouse will severly affect dormancy and thus flowering (negatively) except for tropical species.
Generally, my cacti that go dormant and need a temperature either side of 40F degrees (4-5C) stay in the greenhouse with a small heater from October/November through late April/early May, when I can chance them being outside...at least during the day. I have to play around with the temperature adjustment on the heater depending on how cold it gets outdoors. We often go below zero degrees (-18C) which requires the heat being set at its maximum. Still, it has fallen to 26F (-3C) inside the greenhouse for one or two nights without any damage. Of course, during the day when it's sunny it can reach 95F or so (35C) because of solar heating. I try to maintain between 38-45F. This winter I even left some Epiphyllums in there, simply because I didn't have room in the house on my unheated sunporches, but I did bring in those other cacti that need a winter temperature of 50F (10C) or higher. Interestingly enough, many of those Epis have many buds coming along.
Catch a falling star--but don't try it with a cactus!
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J-M
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Re: Thank You, Greenhouse!

Post by J-M »

Interesting, I live a little bit more to the north than you and will not start using my greenhouse until probably 3 weeks. I cannot imagine heating my basic Harbor Freight greenhouse during winter so I bring them inside, I have a cold room in the basement with temperatures ranging 40-50F (4-10C).
I have a little ceramic heater that I use to keep the night temperature above 54F (12C) in the greenhouse during the growing season.

Can you show us some pictures of your greenhouse and setup ? I sure would like to see it and take notes for my next greenhouse (don't tell my wife yet...)

Thank you!
fanaticactus
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Re: Thank You, Greenhouse!

Post by fanaticactus »

J-M wrote: Mon Apr 01, 2019 11:29 pm Interesting, I live a little bit more to the north than you and will not start using my greenhouse until probably 3 weeks. I cannot imagine heating my basic Harbor Freight greenhouse during winter so I bring them inside, I have a cold room in the basement with temperatures ranging 40-50F (4-10C).
I have a little ceramic heater that I use to keep the night temperature above 54F (12C) in the greenhouse during the growing season.

Can you show us some pictures of your greenhouse and setup ? I sure would like to see it and take notes for my next greenhouse (don't tell my wife yet...)

Thank you!
Funny thing! I've posted some photos in the section 'Greenhouses etc.' in response to someone inquiring about colder locations. I had to invest in one because our house has no basement; it's built on a slab. Here's a link to that section, but if somehow it doesn't work, my post is the last one on page 2. https://www.cactiguide.com/forum/viewto ... 3&start=15
Catch a falling star--but don't try it with a cactus!
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J-M
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Re: Thank You, Greenhouse!

Post by J-M »

Thank you, I just looked at your post. I like the idea of having a custom made greenhouse. GHs like my Harbor Freight are not insulated enough. Also I like yours having 2 roof vents and a fan at the peak of the roof. I only have a door and 1 roof vent and find it really hard to keep the inside temperature below 105F (40C) some days in summer.

I wish you a good 2019 growing season !
fanaticactus
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Re: Thank You, Greenhouse!

Post by fanaticactus »

J-M wrote: Wed Apr 03, 2019 12:38 am Thank you, I just looked at your post. I like the idea of having a custom made greenhouse. GHs like my Harbor Freight are not insulated enough. Also I like yours having 2 roof vents and a fan at the peak of the roof. I only have a door and 1 roof vent and find it really hard to keep the inside temperature below 105F (40C) some days in summer.

I wish you a good 2019 growing season !
Yes, some folks don't realize that even though we're far north, it can get pretty darn hot up here in the summer...those greenhouses need ventilation. But, as I said, it's really best to keep them outdoors with fresh air all around. I use several multi-level plant stands and a whole table top under a pergola, so they get somewhat filtered sun.

Have a good season yourself. Maybe post some photos?
Catch a falling star--but don't try it with a cactus!
DaveW
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Re: Thank You, Greenhouse!

Post by DaveW »

Some in the UK with our aluminium/glass greenhouses where the 2ft x 2ft glasses are simply fixed in with spring clips used to remove a couple of squares of glass in the sides during the summer for extra ventilation and replace them later in the year. You need to cover the holes with chicken wire or mesh to keep the birds out though. You cannot have too many vents though. I have 4 roof vents and 4 louvre side vents all on automatic openers in an 18 ft long x 12ft-6inch wide greenhouse.
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J-M
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Re: Thank You, Greenhouse!

Post by J-M »

Yes sure, I will take a picture soon while I prepare everything for the season. Take care.
fanaticactus
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Re: Thank You, Greenhouse!

Post by fanaticactus »

J-M wrote: Thu Apr 04, 2019 12:23 am Yes sure, I will take a picture soon while I prepare everything for the season. Take care.
Thanks! If it's not too long a drive for you, please feel free to let me know if you'd like to come down to see my humble setup once the growing season really gets underway. It might be fun to exchange notes. I can let you know where we are by private message.
Catch a falling star--but don't try it with a cactus!
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J-M
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Re: Thank You, Greenhouse!

Post by J-M »

fanaticactus wrote: Thu Apr 04, 2019 3:38 am Thanks! If it's not too long a drive for you, please feel free to let me know if you'd like to come down to see my humble setup once the growing season really gets underway. It might be fun to exchange notes. I can let you know where we are by private message.
Thanks for the invitation, it might not work this year though. I only have 1 week of vacation and it is already booked. Just moved to a new place so a lot of things to do around the house this summer. Anyway I will let you know by PM if it is possible at some point !

I took a picture of the greenhouse today, you can see there is still a lot of snow on the ground here. The sun is stronger and stronger everyday ... 32F (0 C) outside and 86F (30 C) inside ! Everything should be fine to start using it in 2 weeks, I still have to set the thermostat, install the automatic window opener, the fans, the space heater, etc.
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I took most of the cacti that were dormant in the basement 10 days ago, installed them progressively closer to south facing windows and watered them for the first time yesterday.
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I will wait until may to repot the seedlings I sowed in october (6 months old now).
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fanaticactus
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Re: Thank You, Greenhouse!

Post by fanaticactus »

You have some fine looking specimens there! And I note a lot of shelf space in the greenhouse. I envy your seed growing success...they also look wonderful. I've tried several times, several varieties and they get so far then stop growing and either dry up or rot. Does the greenhouse have removable side panels for summer ventilation? You may need to consider some shade cloth to protect those babies from the strong summer rays. I have quite a bit left over...had to buy a huge quantity. It's the aluminum type you see in my photos.
Catch a falling star--but don't try it with a cactus!
DaveW
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Re: Thank You, Greenhouse!

Post by DaveW »

Of course if your in a sheltered spot where there is no chance of theft you can always just leave the greenhouse door open in summer night and day. Best to make sure it can be fastened back securely so it does not blow closed and damage it though. Also best to make a frame to go in the doorway with mesh or chicken wire on it to keep out animals and birds. Unfortunately my greenhouse is overlooked from a road so the door has to stay locked.
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J-M
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Re: Thank You, Greenhouse!

Post by J-M »

I have a 50% shade cloth that I install under the top shelf so the bottom shelf is kind of protected from some of the sun. Last year seedlings did fine with that setup.

The side panels can't be removed for ventilation, so I use 2 Honeywell TurboForce HT900 fans to move the air. This year I will add a third small fan in the peak of the roof.

In the summer the door is always open and yes there is a latch to secure it in that position. We live in a pretty safe neighborhood, if someone wants to steal things I just hope he will go for the lawn mower in the unlocked shed first :lol: .

The mesh door to prevent animals and birds is a good idea, I will make one.
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