Greenhouse options

Do-it-yourself projects such as greenhouse or shadehouse builds and related topics.
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Lactus
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Location: Humboldt CA Zone 9

Greenhouse options

Post by Lactus »

Hello. I wanted to ask for some advice on getting a greenhouse. I'm planning on buying one I can piece together for now until I build my own. I live in Northern California, zone 10b. Winter nights usually stay in the range of 35℉ and 28℉ for usually a night or two. Can be pretty rainy, but nothing too crazy. Daytime temps aren't something I'm too concerned about during dormant periods. Summer can get pretty warm. I'm I fine with pretty much any prefab Polycarbonate greenhouse? Single wall or double?


Thanks!
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jerrytheplater
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Re: Greenhouse options

Post by jerrytheplater »

Double wall insulates better. I was just reading about this last night. I want to build something in my own backyard. I do not own a greenhouse yet.

I live near large numbers of commercial greenhouses and know one that owns one and one that was the Chief Grower at another. The owners greenhouse is half double wall plastic and half double wall polycarbonate. His is maybe 8 acres. The growers greenhouse uses tempered glass and is about 15 acres. He now owns his own small double wall plastic film greenhouses and a retail sales business. He grows uncommon plants because he knows he can't compete against the large greenhouses. He's starting up now, actually more than a month ago.

https://www.hobbygreenhouse.org/
https://www.griffins.com/
https://noltsgreenhousesupplies.com/
https://www.greenhousemegastore.com/
Jerry Smith
Bloomingdale, NJ
45 inches (114 cm) rain equivalent per year, approx. evenly spread per month
2012 USDA Hardiness Zone 6b: -5F to OF (-20C to -18C) min.
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Lactus
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Location: Humboldt CA Zone 9

Re: Greenhouse options

Post by Lactus »

jerrytheplater wrote: Tue Feb 07, 2023 9:47 pm Double wall insulates better. I was just reading about this last night. I want to build something in my own backyard. I do not own a greenhouse yet.

I live near large numbers of commercial greenhouses and know one that owns one and one that was the Chief Grower at another. The owners greenhouse is half double wall plastic and half double wall polycarbonate. His is maybe 8 acres. The growers greenhouse uses tempered glass and is about 15 acres. He now owns his own small double wall plastic film greenhouses and a retail sales business. He grows uncommon plants because he knows he can't compete against the large greenhouses. He's starting up now, actually more than a month ago.

https://www.hobbygreenhouse.org/
https://www.griffins.com/
https://noltsgreenhousesupplies.com/
https://www.greenhousemegastore.com/
Awesome! Thanks for the info!
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ohugal
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Re: Greenhouse options

Post by ohugal »

How big is your collection? What amount of surface would you need?
Location
Antwerp, Belgium
temperate, maritime climate with mild winters and cool summers
hardiness zone 8a
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anttisepp
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Re: Greenhouse options

Post by anttisepp »

Lactus wrote: Tue Feb 07, 2023 8:31 pm <...> Polycarbonate greenhouse?
Undoubtedly 👍
Lactus wrote: Tue Feb 07, 2023 8:31 pm <...> Single wall or double?
Double is better in all means: shades sunlight a bit and provides insulation also.
Remember about more shade in spring-summer and (!) effective ventilation (automatic lids, sun energy fans etc)
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Lactus
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Location: Humboldt CA Zone 9

Re: Greenhouse options

Post by Lactus »

ohugal wrote: Thu Feb 09, 2023 7:01 am How big is your collection? What amount of surface would you need?
I'm going to need quite a bit of space. I was thinking about building shelves of some sort.
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Lactus
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Re: Greenhouse options

Post by Lactus »

anttisepp wrote: Thu Feb 09, 2023 9:48 am
Lactus wrote: Tue Feb 07, 2023 8:31 pm <...> Polycarbonate greenhouse?
Undoubtedly 👍
Lactus wrote: Tue Feb 07, 2023 8:31 pm <...> Single wall or double?
Double is better in all means: shades sunlight a bit and provides insulation also.
Remember about more shade in spring-summer and (!) effective ventilation (automatic lids, sun energy fans etc)
Thanks! Good to know.
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mikethecactusguy
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Re: Greenhouse options

Post by mikethecactusguy »

Palram Greenhouse. 8ft x 12ft 10mm dual wall roof and side panels. I'm located in Indio Ca. Its did get down to 39f this winter. With the top vents and side vents closed, I could keep the interior temp at 50f with a small heater designed for greenhouses. Come summer I'll replace the door panels with screen panels. I remove 3 roof panels and install solar screen material. The 60% shade cloth is needed for the intense sun I get through out the year. When I bought the kit in 2020 I paid $2500. Today they run $3500. its withstood 40 mile an hour winds with no issues for 2 years. It is as solid today as when I built it.
20230125_150139.jpg
20230125_150139.jpg (163.22 KiB) Viewed 2303 times
Mike The Cactus Guy
Enjoying the Spines
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zpeckler
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Location: Butte County, California, Zone 9b

Re: Greenhouse options

Post by zpeckler »

mikethecactusguy wrote: Mon Apr 03, 2023 2:11 am Palram Greenhouse. 8ft x 12ft 10mm dual wall roof and side panels. I'm located in Indio Ca. Its did get down to 39f this winter. With the top vents and side vents closed, I could keep the interior temp at 50f with a small heater designed for greenhouses. Come summer I'll replace the door panels with screen panels. I remove 3 roof panels and install solar screen material. The 60% shade cloth is needed for the intense sun I get through out the year. When I bought the kit in 2020 I paid $2500. Today they run $3500. its withstood 40 mile an hour winds with no issues for 2 years. It is as solid today as when I built it.
20230125_150139.jpg
WOW.... Those barrel cacti!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😍😍😍
--------------------
Zac

Butte County, CA, USA
USDA Zone 9b
Mediterranean climate; hot, dry, sunny summers with rainy, moist, mild winters.
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