Greenhouse construction is complete

17 years ago

Here's some of the latest shots of the greenhouse project. All my electrical gadgets are working. Thanks Robert for suggesting the Bartlett Instruments greenhouse controller. Rob and Dave B. are really great to work with. I definitely reccommend their products.

I installed the fogging system yesterday. What a trip that is! I was hoping for more of a truer fog. Don't get me wrong...the result is an extremely fine mist but still more wet than I would prefer. Might need to go with a finer nozzle yet. Definitely cools things down in a hurry.

Hoping for the best today with the final inspection. I think they are questioning what might have been done to the home itself...which was nothing but adding the header board. I don't see this going well at all. I'll know in a few hours. Here's some pics. Hope you enjoy. J

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:300084}}

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (14)

ohiojay
Original Author
17 years ago
Here's another shot

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:300085}}
red_sea_me
17 years ago
Wow, that is a beauty! Maybe if you promise to share some fruit w/ispector, he might let you slide. I would love to see pictures of other people's greenhouses and would be happy to post a picture of my quaint little one.
-Ethan
Related Discussions
New Greenhouse - almost complete :)
Q
Comments (14)
Daaaamn thats a big greenhouse cagary. I think it is bigger than my main house! lol. Anyway, I thought it was time for an updated picture of the GH anyway so here are some relatively current pictures: It still looks a bit empty, but I can fix that real soon (heheh) The exterior is covered in 60% shade Aluminet and some additional patches of shade cloth fabric inside as needed.
...See More
Wanting to build a greenhouse, complete newbie..
Q
Comments (26)
Ok Thanks to all and the constructive criticism I really have a thick skin and can take it!! I will try to address all concerns addressed so that others and myself can benefit from my mistakes made . "I am more concern about the structural concept. If there is not enough cross bracing, any small movement due to foundation shifting or wind load can pop the glass panels out and do some serious damage to occupants. " The building was built like any other normal building frame style. Everything is built then the glass is added and capped for finish. After that its all sealed so any water cant get thru. On the north wall there is a 24inch section of plywood from the floor up for extra strength. Combine that with the plywood gables there is no movement at all. Its built like a brick you know what before the glass goes in. "There is not a lot of detail in the photos for comments. I can see the sheet metal cladding on the wood. I am not sure thatÂ¡Â¦s a good idea. Have a vapor barrier on the cold side of a humid environment can be problematic." Just ask Ill gladly get you more pictures of any detail you request. The aluminum on the wood is just to keep the water away from the wood and clean up the appearance. I donÂt heat the GH in the winter. Its used more as a storage shed in the off season. All vents are left open and the screen door is also left open to disperse any heat in the winter months. "overall, the design does look impressive and admittedly, I was being overly hard on it. But, recheck your calcs for "structural" glass construction. ;) BTW, If you're still interested in exploring a post + beam framed greenhouse, I've designed quite a few timber framed buildings - many with attached passive solar sunspaces utilizing true post+beam joinery and patio door glass panels, in both vertical and sloped glazing applications. Email me if you'd like to see completed project photos and perhaps share some details." I appreciate the honesty it actually helps me learn. I would also love some help on the "calcs" of the glass install it self. Is the Half inch flange of metal not enough in your opinion? Remember the kerf deal is long gone. The aluminum acts as a kind of glazing strip..Please by all means advise of any other way that may help others reading this.! On the roof itself the glass lays flat on the wood surface with a 1 inch space in between glass panels (lots o silicone). I then screw a 1x3 in between the glass sections so the wood overlaps the glass.At the top of the roof there is about 8 inches of plywood sheeting due to the fact the glass wasnt long enough. So I made the glass start from the eves up as opposed from the top down.I honestly think I gained major strengh this way I then cap over wood for apearance only on the roof. I would also love to review any post+beam joinery and patio door glass panels, in both vertical and sloped glazing applications now your talking!! This is something that I have always wanted to figure out. the next house perhaps!! Let me know what you have in mind.
...See More
Incorporating water as a heat sink in greenhouse construction?
Q
Comments (18)
I was away for a couple of days. #1. Absolutely! You're transferring BTUs from the collector into your pit during the day. It's essential for the operation of the system for the pit to be warmed. If you have direct sunlight, that collector will get hot very quickly. Depending upon the angle of the sun, and hours of light, you should get about 30,000 to 40,000 BTUs per day into the pit. It can hold a lot more than that, but you're limited by the hours per day, and also the relative inefficiencies. If you had a warm spell during the winter where you didn't really need to run it at night, theoretically, you might be able to charge it with maybe a couple hundred thousand BTUs. #2. You should wet the ground thoroughly once you've completed the structure. It should remain sufficiently damp after that point with the factors you mentioned. Make sure you wrap the tarp up and over the foundation such that outside rain won't be able to fill the pit -- otherwise, you'll have a swamp in there! #3. The hinged covers have three purposes: a) reflecting additional solar energy to the collector via the mylar film (make sure they're angled correctly when attaching the chains). b) avoiding snow/ice/freezing at night during the winter. Depending upon your hardiness zone, it may also be necessary to circulate some water through the collector at night to avoid cracking the cement or damage to the water lines. If severe freezing is a sure thing during the winter, then the collector should run day and night. Your "day/night" valve will just open the loop through the radiator, instead of shutting off flow to the collector too. c) to protect the solar collector during the warmer months when the system won't be running. Hope this helps. -Bruce
...See More
Greenhouse beds: amend-only enough? or complete replacement of soil?
Q
Comments (3)
In British Columbia? AgCanada does not do soil testing but there are many private labs that do for between $25.00 and $50.00 per sample but a good reliable soil test of that soil is needed. How was the soil pH tested? Plant Chlorosis has many causes ranging from damaged roots that prevent the uptake of necessary nutrients to soil nutrient deficiencies as this article points out. http://extension.illinois.edu/focus/index.cfm?problem=chlorosis Start with a good reliable soil test. kimmq is kimmsr
...See More
Alan_Tampa
17 years ago
All they want is money. Act broke, be sweet and get it hot as you can in there so he won't stay long.

Good Luck

Alan
stressbaby
17 years ago
Aw, man, you finished it without me.

I'm gonna try some air-laying this weekend. If it works, you'll have some new plants for that GH in the spring.

Very nice job.
ohiojay
Original Author
17 years ago
Well we passed the inspection. I believe the first guy must have thought we were altering the home in some way or something. We thankfully had pictures of the whole process that showed we did nothing of the sort. Whatever we did seemed to work with this guy. What a relief. All this work, time, frustration, stress, pain, and more only to be screwed with at the very end! Done baby DONE!! YEEEEHA!

Stress...what do you plan on trying to airlayer. I would like to try that sometime myself. I have a rambutan rootstock I need to graft sometime as well. Will probably need to wait until spring for that to give it more time to grow out. I will probably have a few extras of things as well I can trade ya. Thanks for the support everyone. J
dghays
17 years ago
Great greenhouse, I ironically had one delivered to my house today, not nearly as attractive as yours.

Gary
ohiojay
Original Author
17 years ago
Gary...only functionality counts! After looking for land and considerations of building a new home, we scrapped that idea and decided just to make changes to our current home that would make us happy. The greenhouse was what made me happy! Would not have been able to afford one if we did the land/new house thing. Yeah, this structure is a little more than your normal greenhouse. First and foremost, the structure had to stand up against our Ohio winters. Next, it had to satisfy my needs as a greenhouse. Then, years and years on down the road if and when we decide to move on, the structure can easily be converted into a 4 seasons room. Alas, what are the odds of finding a home buyer nutty as me wanting to keep it as a greenhouse?? Also, since it would be attached to our home, we wanted it to be something that looked nice.
dghays
17 years ago
I think it would definitely be an asset when you decide to sell. If you make it attractive like you have, even someone not into gardening would probably like it. And you'll be able to go into it without leaving your home. I have a 100' walk to mine. In a different thread I'll show some pictures and try to get a few ideas too. Thanks for the picture and post.

Gary
stressbaby
17 years ago
Jay, all three guava (Lemon, Strawberry, and Nana) need pruning, so I thought I would start my air-laying with those. I have tried twice to grow them from cuttings unsuccessfully. There are others I can't think of off the top of my head. SB
ohiojay
Original Author
17 years ago
I have some seedling pineapple guavas that I planted for the hell of it. Some of the feedback I'm getting on these is that it would be better to later graft a known variety onto them instead.
tropicaliste
17 years ago
I love it!
I just have one question for you, do you have to walk through the greenhouse to get to the backyard? Seems like it from the pictures, but I can't tell for sure.
Eggo
17 years ago
Cool Jay, your greenhouse looks full already!
ohiojay
Original Author
17 years ago
Yeah, get to walk thru it to get out the door. I need to rig up something over the top of the door frame. When it rains, water just pours straight down the door and fills up the track. Doesn't come in..but still don't like it. Hind sight shows that it may have been a better idea to have it open onto the patio to the left. I see problems with this setup come winter if it were to rain and freeze over night.

Eggo...it does seem pretty full already. I spent all day digging out the back corner trying to amend the soil and planted out your namwah and two of my super dwarf cavendish bananas. Looks pretty cool...send pics later. That was hard work my friend. My back is killing me. I'm going to do the same for two papayas and your dragon fruit. I got a 4"x6"x8' piece of treated lumber I'm going to put in the ground for them to climb up. That should be more fun. Hopefully they will do well.
Yadda
17 years ago
Nice!!!!!!!! As in all things greenhouse you will always wish it was bigger! I for one am envious. Yadda out.

Greenhouse construction is complete

Comments (14)

ohiojay
Original Author

red_sea_me

Related Discussions

Alan_Tampa

stressbaby

ohiojay
Original Author

dghays

ohiojay
Original Author

dghays

stressbaby

ohiojay
Original Author

tropicaliste

Eggo

ohiojay
Original Author

Yadda

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Greenhouse construction is complete

Comments (14)

ohiojayOriginal Author

Related Discussions

ohiojayOriginal Author

ohiojayOriginal Author

ohiojayOriginal Author

ohiojayOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

ohiojay
Original Author

ohiojay
Original Author

ohiojay
Original Author

ohiojay
Original Author

ohiojay
Original Author