You are here:
Carnivorous Plants/greenhouse
Advertisement
Question
This summer I bought an 8x6 harborfreight greenhouse and I am trying to grow some highland neps. in it this winter.I have had them in the greenhouse this summer and they're doing great.I am using the 50% shade cloth that you recommended,I had to order it online because they only carried 70% at jerrys,lowes,homedepot and others.
)
My question, is the shade cloth used to the lessen the heat inside the greenhouse or to lessen the direct sunlight the plants may receive or both? Also when do you recommend taking the shade cloth off? I live in western Oregon,the same area as you.I have a ceramic heater in the greenhouse to keep them warm on cold days and caulked all the gaps in the greenhouse to help with cold air getting in.Do you have any advise on keeping them happy during winter months? Thanks for your time and sorry for the novice questions.
Hi Tom,
We usually remove our shade cloth right around the equinox at the end of this month. At that point the nights get longer than the days, so you want to maximize the sun.
Caulking the greenhouse was a very good idea. We have the larger model of this greenhouse that we're using for our flytraps and it became obvious that the panels don't fit super tight. The flytrap house is just a cold-frame, but you'll be heating yours. The ceramic heater will work quite well.
It will be good to invest in a couple more items. One is a wireless thermometer with a freeze alarm. This will tell you if the heater stops working for some reason. (Power outage, blown circuit breaker etc...) The other is a small propane heater. At some point you will have a power outage. You want the type that is highly efficient so it has no CO output. Here's an example of one: http://www.mrheater.com/product.aspx?catid=41&id=24
The last thing would be to be ready to remove snow if we get a big snow storm this winter. These greenhouses don't look very strong, although the smaller one probably has a stronger roof than the larger one.
Good Growing!
Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com
- Ask a Question
| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thank You, For your help I dont know what I would do with out you guys! I know that ask the expert takes alot of time for you guys,but you save alot of plants.And just makes me want more.Thanks | ||
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
Sarracenia Northwest
Expertise
If your plant is showing poor growth, discoloration, abnormal leaves or possible infestation, the growers at Sarracenia Northwest can help! Carnivorous plant experts Jeff Dallas and Jacob Farin will help you diagnose the problem and get your plants on the right track. Their no nonsense approach has helped thousands of growers all over the world. They can help you too!
Experience
With over 40 years of combined experience, Jeff and Jacob has definitely taken a straight forward approach to growing carnivorous plants. They have encountered many types of diseases, abnormal growth and infestations related to carnivorous plants, and they know what it takes to get plants looking beautiful and healthy again.
Education/Credentials
Authors of Secrets to Growing Beautiful Carnivorous Plants for Your Home and Garden and producers of the Grow Carnivorous Plants! DVD Series. They also produce a monthly video podcast to illustrate how plants cycle through the seasons.
No terrariums. No myths. No nonsense.
Just the straight facts from guys who grow and propagate
thousands of carnivorous plants each year.
|
PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR QUESTION: We no longer answer how-to questions (i.e. How do I propagate...?; How do I grow...?). Instead, we help growers by diagnosing a specific plant problem and offering solutions (i.e. Why is my sundew not producing dew?; Is now a good time to divide my Sarracenia?; Why are the traps turning black?; What's a good substitute for perlite?; Why didn't my seeds germinate?; Can you identify this carnivorous plant for me?) For general plant care, please read our care sheets on our main website: http://www.cobraplant.com/caresheets For business questions: http://www.cobraplant.com/contact |
Follow us on Youtube and Facebook!
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.