Help With Greenhouse

[nlegaux]

For several years, I have been growing carnivorous plants in terrariums, but I haven't been able to grow Nepenthes very well with my current terrariums. To expand the amount of space I have to grow plants, I have obtained a small starter greenhouse (6'x6'), and I am having difficulty deciding what type of environment I would like to have inside of it (highland/lowland). With my current setup, I haven't been able to get the humidity inside the greenhouse above 60%, and during the day it is extremely hot (about 110°F). Does anyone have any tips on which would be easier/better for an amateur grower to set up, and how would you recommend I set it up?

Thank you in advance,

Nick

[paulkoop]

I dont know much but i know people r going to ask what climate u live in ie part of thr world. The highs and lows of the greenhouse

[paulkoop]

With highs at 110 sounds like u need to open them vents and put a fan in there

[tanukimo]

What is the temperature at night? That will determine whether it will be easier to set up a lowland or highland greenhouse. Of course, I think 110 F is too hot, even for lowland plants, but highland plants can put up with high temperatures as long as there is a significant drop at night.

[nlegaux]

I live in a 7a hardiness zone, with temperatures looking something like this:

       Day
Month:High/Low
January:47/30
February:52/33
March:61/40
April:71/48
May:78/57
June:85/65
July:88/69
August:87/68
September:81/62
October:71/49
November:60/41
December:50/34

I wasn't able to find the average nightly temperature month by month, but about this time of year it is in the 50's-60's.

Thank you,
Nick

[paulbarden]

During the spring/summer months and into early fall, shade cloth is required to control greenhouse temps - assuming you've placed it where it gets direct sun exposure. It is extremely difficult to control solar gain with a greenhouse that small, unless you combine shade cloth and some kind of cooling equipment. You may want to consider a fogger of some kind. (Look up Hydrofogger on the web)

You need to be proactive to resolve this issue before things really warm up (by the way, don't even think about trying to grow highland Nepenthes if temps exceed 90F inside your greenhouse!). Imagine this: when you eventually get a summer day that hits the low 90sF, your greenhouse could easily reach 140F inside if you don't have a cooling strategy. You will cook everything if that happens.

Greenhouse climate control is work.

[nlegaux]

If I were to put in an atomizer (similar to a Hydrofogger), or atomizers, would that help regulate the temperature, or would you recommend using something like an evaporative humidifier?

Thank you,
Nick

[paulbarden]

Whatever fogging/misting equipment you choose, it has to produce enough volume of mist to have an effect, and without knowing the specific equipment you mentioned, I have no way of knowing how useful it would be.

[nlegaux]

For the shade cloth, would I want to cover the entire structure, or just part of it? Would it make a difference?

Thank you,
Nick

[paulbarden]

Shade cloth has to cover any surface that allows light into the greenhouse.

[nlegaux]

Are there conditions that would be appropriate for growing both highland and lowland plants moderately well, or would I have to go with one or the other? I am asking because after seeing pictures/videos of other's greenhouses online, it seems like they are growing both highland and lowland plants next to each other in the same greenhouse.

Thank you,
Nick

[nlegaux]

Also, with the atomizers, I was thinking about doing something along these lines:




Thank you,
Nick

[paulbarden]

May 3, 2014 14:21:08 GMT nlegaux said:

Are there conditions that would be appropriate for growing both highland and lowland plants moderately well, or would I have to go with one or the other? I am asking because after seeing pictures/videos of other's greenhouses online, it seems like they are growing both highland and lowland plants next to each other in the same greenhouse.

Thank you,
Nick

As I said previously, if your greenhouse regularly experiences daytime highs ABOVE 85F, then don't even consider true highland species.

[nlegaux]

Thank you for all of your suggestions, I will definitely take them into consideration as I try to regulate the temperature/humidity in my greenhouse.