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Time for some new growing habitat
A giant sized Hot Box, compared to my old one.
8' x 5' = 40 square ft.

Framed out Floor and sides attached
The floor is covered with 1/4" wire screen Have to work on it between rain storms
Denise convinced me to paint all the wood, it looks way better
I will post the final product as soon as it's done


My old Hot Box, which I will refurbish after I move everything out

Very cool .. for the uneducated, what does a hot box do exactly..
Thanks
Mike M

A hot box is like a mini greenhouse that you open the lid into the limited growing space where higher growing temperatures can be maintained for optimal growth.
The enclosed box has open ventilation in the floor, so the warm is circulated from the bottom.
If the weather gets extra hot, you can open the top a little so excess heat can escape

I use it for my Ariocarpus and other Mexican cactus that love heat in the warm months, and cool and dry in winter
It has shade cloth in the inside to control light intensity, my Ariocarpus can't handle full sun with out burning.

Thanks Craig

After thinking about it a little while
I can say that it's only good for some climates
Very good for coastal California with mild winters and not so hot summers

But if you had limited room, it might work out as the best option for having a controlled growing environment with some modification that could work for most normal climates

Finally finished

Moved the Ariocarpus collection into the front section
Coryphanthas and other Mexicans will pile behind them
and the rest is open area for what ever

I've gotta build one of these for warmer weather, such a nifty little thing. Thanks for sharing version 2.

I live near LAX so probably bout the same weather as you. Do you see a noticeable difference growing those certain plants in the hotbox?

The advantage is increased heat, sun intensity buffered

Today's photos
All Ariocarpus

The arios are loving the hot box! Do you use it for seedlings and seed starting also?

I like to keep my seedlings in more assessable areas
I do like using it to grow established 1-3 year old's to grow them on

Dang, C&D. I'm totally into this build. I would love something like this for my cacti.

Makes sense. Thank you Craig!