prepping for winter [UK]
Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2020 2:28 pm
this winter is going to be my first winter as a cacti lover and i feel unprepared, so i am starting to think about a plan now before it comes from nowhere. i was hoping you guys could offer some knowledge to help me through it.
my collection:
4x Echinocactus grusonii
1x lophophora williamsii
2x opuntia ficus-indica (probably. it is some kind of monstrose)
1x trichocereus bridgesii
1x trichocereus pachanoi
my budget is very tight so i am looking at building a small grow house style greenhouse for them. i have a grow tunnel i was going to use as a roof and i was going to build a wooden base and slight walls to raise the roof high enough to fit them. the tunnel i have is ~50cm tall, which is about the same as my tallest cactus+pot, so i only have to raise it a little, so would be somewhat like a tray.
the tunnel is long enough that i could cut it in half and double layer the plastic sheet and put bubble wrap between the layers. i was also planning to line the inside with cardboard, polystyrene and whatever else i can find that might help insulate. i also have some reflective mylar i can use to help get the most sunlight in there.
as well as the cold i will have to worry about moisture in the air, which gets quite high in UK. i do not know how to address that problem yet.
any help would be greatly appreciated.
thank you <3
my collection:
4x Echinocactus grusonii
1x lophophora williamsii
2x opuntia ficus-indica (probably. it is some kind of monstrose)
1x trichocereus bridgesii
1x trichocereus pachanoi
my budget is very tight so i am looking at building a small grow house style greenhouse for them. i have a grow tunnel i was going to use as a roof and i was going to build a wooden base and slight walls to raise the roof high enough to fit them. the tunnel i have is ~50cm tall, which is about the same as my tallest cactus+pot, so i only have to raise it a little, so would be somewhat like a tray.
the tunnel is long enough that i could cut it in half and double layer the plastic sheet and put bubble wrap between the layers. i was also planning to line the inside with cardboard, polystyrene and whatever else i can find that might help insulate. i also have some reflective mylar i can use to help get the most sunlight in there.
as well as the cold i will have to worry about moisture in the air, which gets quite high in UK. i do not know how to address that problem yet.
any help would be greatly appreciated.
thank you <3