Re: the assembly.... yeah it's not fun. My hubby and I put one together, an 8X10 at our old house and it took 3 days and we still couldn't figure out the darn thing and eventually I had to hire a handy man to do the rest because I had to get back to work and it took him another 3 days. Our newest one, another 8X10 I think, had better instructions but it still took us another 2 days or so... about 10 fights later we got it done. You seem more patient than me perhaps so maybe you could handle it better lol.

I couldn't even imagine trying a monster one.

Yeah Hobby...that is what I worry about. I am patient, but just do not have the time or desire to spend the little time I have assembling a greenhouse. My builder is good. I assume he can just build a frame (would be a piece of cake for him) and then we have to worry about the clear material...plastic, glass???

Polycarbonate is what most home kits come with and wasn't Brian saying you can now get 5 layer thickness or something? That would retain a lot of heat. You can buy those locally would imagine from a wholesaler if you google. We even have a place here that sells them so you must. Glass is nice but pricey I think plus has no UV protection like poly can have.

I built mine out of pvc. 8x10 and I'm expanding to 14 this fall. Most important thing to keep in mind is whatever size you pick it won't be big enough LOL.

I am 100 percent with Subtropix!

It seems to me that my citrus trees, all of them would rather rest all winter in very cool conditions rather than grow in very warm ones, even in a greenhouse or in my home in south facing windows...As long as I keep them cool, they can even go without lots of sunlight and they definitely have no pest issues....A heck of a lot less issues and much easier to care for)

Mike, where the heck have you been!!? Good to see you again. I'll bet you are sweltering where you are!

Your Plumeria are to die for..Great job

Mike, Mike and Cory, thanks for your ideas and suggestions. I do not have a garage and have no way to get one...lol...My house was built in the 1950s none of the houses in my neighborhood of that age have one. I have managed quite well in my bright rooms - a breakfast area in my kitchen and sunroom. I do periodically spray them down with oil to keep the mites under control. I also slow down on the fertilizing. Last winter I had an issue with gnats, but that will not be an issue this year because all my trees are in the 5-1-1 mix. Actually...correction...the only one I have left to move to 5-1-1 is Adam the Guava :-)...he is huge and I dread doing that because I will need so much reptibark! Even if/when I get a greenhouse, I will keep some of my trees in my house because I so enjoy smelling the lemon blossoms and having them near me. That said, I will not have space when they all grow up and especially the mandarins I suspect will ripen better in a greenhouse than in my house. If I can find a simple plan/layout, I can have someone build it and order polycarbonate (thanks Hobby). I also have orchids and bonsai that will end up in my kids' rooms over winter because my parakeets destroy them in the sunroom...argh!

Nice Laura! You probably saw my recent posts to Monica about building mine. My greenhouse was a kit but installed by a contractor. I knew it would be too much for me to build it by myself, but I did end up digging the ditch to lay the gas, water pipes and electric and phone line in a conduit from my basement underground to the greenhouse. That was pretty hard work also as my soil is very rocky and I think it had to be 40 inches deep, maybe even deeper. Everything was done according to my town's building code. The ditch was 35 ft long. I dug it at night after I came home from work. I had a short period of a few days to dig it as the plumber and electrician were already scheduled. Living in NJ, I bet my neighbors were wondering what I was burying out there in the middle of the night! The ditch was supposed to be dug with a power digger, but the greenhouse installer put the greenhouse up before the plumber and electrician put in the gas, water and electric and then they said a power digger would not fit in the spot between my house and the greenhouse and it would have to be dug by hand. The quote for hand digging was beyond my budget so I dug it myself. I thought I would never get rhrough those rocks, but I was determined. The plumber and electrician couldn't believe I dug it all by myself. The kit sellers might have a list of installers in your area if your contractor can't do it for you. I had no one to advise me so I hope this helps you. Even if the installer says build it first, get the trench dug first and save yourself an aching back. I am glad I dug the trench and got all the utilities out to the greenhouse which is so much more convenient than running a hose or lugging jugs of water from the house, especially in the winter. It is nice to have electricity for fans, heaters if you don't have gas or propane, misters, lights, pumps for a small pond and other things you never dreamed you would be plugging in. You can keep it much simpler though which will help keep the cost down. Since you enjoy growing plants so much I would get as big as you can fit on your property and still afford, and get the utilities out there as you will want them in the long run and you will always be out there enjoying it. Don't put off building it if you plan to stay in your house....even if you don't. It is totally worth doing. There is a learning curve keeping things going, and things always seem to go wrong in a storm or a Sunday or holiday, but you can handle things you will find. Most is common sense and you can figure it out. You can always ask for help from folks on this forum like our friend Maggyby did when hers started to flood her first winter with hers and she was afraid she might get electrocuted by her electric heater as the water came in. We all jumped in with advise and she got through the storm and didn't lose a plant. BTW, she bought a used greenhouse and the people she bought it from set it up in her yard for her. She later had electricity installed and a water spigot installed. At lower temperatures the trees don't need that much water in the winter. As long as it is sunny, you will not spend money on heat during the day, only on nights and long sunless periods. Do it soon as it is surprising how fast a cold spell can hit in the early fall. You want to have the plants in there before that happens. It was a close call for me. At least you have your sun porch, but I am not sure you can fit them all in. You are just like me. It is the permits that take the time and all the inspections that have to be done. I vote that you should start one right now. It will make you so happy!

Cory

Hi Laura glad you guy's are still contemplating on getting a GH . I think that your making the right decision by taking your time on the purchase . Lot's to think about the size of the GH and the thickness of the walls if you want glass or poly how your going to heat and water . What I like the most with my GH is that I don't have the worry about bringing the tree's in or out , in the spring I put them right out into the sun without any ill effects and in the fall the same right into the GH and there is no leaf drop and if there are bugs who cares they are outside everything is so easy .

Brian

PS. Glass panels let in the most light but will be expensive to run. Get one of the insulated polycarbonate or acrylic ones. Each types have their pros and cons. Some are more flammable than others. Even though mine is insulated I further insulate it with interior bubblewrap. Others use a solar pool cover on the outside. My sister has a glass paned one attached to her house but glass has a very low R factor and loses heat rapidly. She also insulates hers with bubblewrap inside and a solar pool cover on the outside and she still gets plenty of light inside in the winter. Get one with a high R factor as the heat will be the biggest cost in the long run, even if you keep it cool. Don't worry about not being able to see out. The diffused light is better for your plants anyway.

Good luck!

Cory

I installed a rion greenhouse which was a huge pain and was blown down completely in Hurricane Irene. When I decided to try again I went with the Grandio Elite elite - the installation was much easier - did it myself. However, Im a handy guy and I had a week to work on it a couple hours a day. I am assuming it would still come out cheaper to pay a contractor to build you a kit than to have him make one from scratch. So far I'm happy with it - we had a killer winter here in ny and I still managed to raise 10 citrus trees from seed through the winter with a space heater running.

Either way one thing to think about is the base/foundation. I installed mine on a deck which was super easy and gives good space from the cold floor in the winter. My last one was on ground and I found it to be much more bug infested and cold.

I am contemplating a green house or sun room as well with an ever increasing collection i certainly need one. will get a contractor to do a quote but might go for it next year. can't decide whether to do a kit ,something like http://m.costco.ca/Palram-San-Remo-10-ft.-x-14-ft.-Patio--Veranda-Enclosure.product.100248944.html or do complete custom . optimally I want something a bit bigger but it's gonna cost an arm n a leg.

hey zomick, I see u use LED. how many watts is it n howz it working out fir u .I have been trolling the weed forums (they have tonnes of info on growing indoors) but there is no clear choice most still prefer HID setup

Thanks for the encouragement Cory! Zomick...that is a nice greenhouse. Thanks for the link. I will look at those. So you said that type was easier to build? I have a handyman who built my chicken coop who could probably build it for me if it were not super complicated. I may look into that. They are pricey though...I was looking at the 8x12. What about the floor? What do you guys use? I thought of just getting 1x1 stone squares and building it out of that. Does that sound ok? Cory, I don't have gas in my neighborhood and would probably just need to run an extension cord from my house to the greenhouse to use a space heater when necessary. Our winters here are not quite as bad as yours and I live within a few blocks of water, so that also helps. It does seem overwhelming, but it sure would be nice!!!

Devsense, that's a nice option! I can tell you that Steve on this forum suggested I get a type of grow bulb that was pretty inexpensive. I need to find the link to it. In my case though, I only need supplemental light because the rooms they will be in already have lots of natural light. I bought floor lamps and will just use those bulbs and point the lamp towards the plants.

Laura, I have a bluestone floor with weed barrier underneath. I have not had problems with insects or rodents. My house also sits up on a 2-1/2 ft. railroad tie wall that gives me more ceiling space and I think the wood is very energy conservative. You can keep it simple and use thick clear UV plastic/fabric with an airspace between. Many people use that type greenhouse. Your handyman could build you a frame and cover it with the plastic. You will have to replace the cover(s) every couple of years but it would be a start. and not be too expensive. You would need to have a repair kit ready in case something blew or fell on it during a storm and tore it, but we all have to worry about that anyway. The plastic is strong. I don't have experience with that type of greenhouse, but many here on this forum do and could advise you. What's good about a kit is that they come with vents and automatic openers, doors, the electric panel hook up, benching, ways to attach shelving, heaters, lights, etc. So you don't have to think about it. But you really don't need all that. You can just buy what you think you need. Trouble with extension cords is that people trip over them and they come apart and you don't realize it. That happened to a friend of mine who had 5 boys and all their friends. He also had a heated hose that he liked. I think he had a Rion that fit in a nook by his house and it held up pretty well as it was very protected. I think it clipped together, no tools needed. He kept things simple and it worked for him. He grew orchids in it. He used an electric heater on an extension cord. I think he got it on sale from Costco. He had white gravel in his floor. Although you are a lot warmer than I am, you still have to plan for the really cold nights that you get once in a while. Make sure you have a backup heater, and once in a while you might even have to use 2 of them so you will need enough electric service to handle the load. Since I heat with gas, others hear can tell you how big of an electric heater you will need. It really is not that complicated setting something g simple up. Most of the time things go smoothly. It is a lot easier having the plants in a greenhouse than in your sunroom. You don't have to worry about getting water on the floor or furniture or windowsills and it is easy to apply an oil or soap spray to prevent mites, thrips, scale, and mealybugs. If you keep it simple it should not cost too much.

Cory

Laura - currently I use 600w HPS n MH bulbs plugged to a smart switch but have been researching if less or same wattage of LED can give light output comparable to 1000w HID lights

Dev

6b Steve Cincinnati, OH

I found it easy to build. Just have to pay attention to the directions carefully and recognize the one or two things that are mistakes. As for flooring, its best to build it on a level platform of some kind. If your're having a contractor or handyman do it, they should be able to build a simple wooden platform for you . Regarding electricity, If you are going to have real winter temps, I'd suggest running a line to the GH. With the last one I used an electric cord and it blew a fuse twice without me realizing for at least 24 hours. Its also just so much simpler to have an outlet in there - if you need to run a fun on a hotter day etc.

Regarding the grow lights they are 1000w LEDS from KINDLED. I tried researching it well but just couldnt keep up with all the technical jargon and in the end it seemed to have nice reviews from most people. I have only used it for one winter and while it definitely did what i needed it to do, It seemed a little too powerful for my plants - lots of the leaves ended up with burns from the light. That said, they were young seedlings, I'm going to put it up again this winter and experiment with the settings. This particular light has very good setting capabilities. You can basically control all three lights spectrum independently and play with the time and intensity of each. Once you figure it out its real useful for mimicking real sun etc.

forgot the link - they claim to produce the equivalent of 1000w HID with 600 watts. Kind LED

Thanks guys. That is a lot to think about and figure out. Cory...I would love to have one this season....I just don't know if it will be possible! It seems a lot to work out. I am going to wait for my contractor to get back to me, but that greenhouse that zomick showed me sure looks awful nice! I do like what Cory said that it is easy with all the stuff to hang, doors, etc.. My would love to see one. I may talk to some of my friends at the local farmers market and see if they can show me what they have - although I know theirs will be much much larger.

Laura, I must say that everyone has such great ideas and even I appreciate it.

Laura, I must say that is is possible to be very successful growing citrus in home even in the dead of winter without extra lighting..It's not easy with those that don't get all the south facing sun possible. But you seem to understand what it takes to make it work and I am very proud of you. Thanks for sharing.

Cory especially to me has given so much of her time to help others set up that I wish I could take her out to eat for all her invested care here.

None here will disappoint you with all their great ideas)

Thanks Mike. You are the champ at helping others though.

I'm now waiting on my contractor. I do like the greenhouse kit, but need to find someone to build it.

I would recommend a thick poured concrete slab at least a few inches in ground and a few above ground with drainage and then gravel layer. Treated wood only. removable/replaceable panels. A vented LP or NG gas heater w/ vent installed installed. sturdy oversized doors on both ends for summer ventilation. sunniest spot you can manage and get it bigger then you are thinking you want. Spend the money and get it done right - If you do it right the first time you will never have to do it again.

I was just wondering what impact the type of greenhouse would have on one's property tax. It seems to me that a greenhouse on a poured concrete slab might be considered a permanent improvement of the property and taxed accordingly whereas one with a gravel floor would be a temporary structure with no impact upon the property tax. Of course, this might vary from municipality to municipality.

As much as I would like to do that Ryan, that may not be feasible for us right now. I live within the city limits and they are incredibly strict about any alterations. Heck, I even had to get a permit and have a building inspector for my chicken coop!!!

Meyer Mike. Been lurking here. Dont contribute much anymore. I have a few facebook groups I spend more time on.

My plumeria have been doing awesome.

here are my biggest by the pool. They are planted directly in the ground in april and then I dig them in fall and store in the barn.

Very nice Mike! I've heard of you! You're a legend around here;-)

Laura. thats kind but hardly a legend. Glad to see you have so much enthusiasm for citrus. They are addictive.

I would be inclined to place this on a 4 by 4 treated timber frame. about 1.5 fet hight. This boost the hight of the gh by 1.5 feet. Since the roots and pot don't need sunlight they will be unaffected by the 1.5 foot dark walls.

This years greenhouse, designed and materials located for use

6b Steve Cincinnati, Oh

Here is picture of my GH. It has an insulated north and northwest wall and an insulated north roof. The east and south wall as well as the south roof is twin wall polycarbonated. It has natural gas heating and a 50 amp electrical box. I thought it would take me a month to build and it took 4 months. Polystyrene insulates the ground to 2 feet deep.

This winter I will put a pool cover on the south roof and it will come all the way down to the ground and cover the retaining wall on the south. I will leave some of the windows open to heat the retaining wall area but will keep it cool, just above freezing. Some citrus and avocado are planted in the ground there. Van

Very nice Van. Your design looks like it might work well for all those far north Canadians.

Cory

Yes, Van and Steve, nice setups! Van, I love the banana trees you have surrounding it. As for me, it will not be this winter. I just can't pull it together and really want to do all my homework before jumping into such a complicated project. I am blessed to have a very bright house and several areas where they can go. Plus, thanks to Steve, I have lightbulbs and floor lamps to provide supplemental light. I do I tend to keep my sunroom as cold as I can make it at night, which should help with the light requirements. They have at least two more months to live outdoors, so I will enjoy that and let them continue to grow...

When I take my tree in for the winter I'll choose the warmest time of the day to bring them in and I will bring them into a room that has a matching temperature. This will eliminate temperature shock to the leaves. I use a window fan to cool that room off, bring the trees in and let the warm walls and furniture release heat to bring the room close to house temperature before heating to house temperature.

Nice Van that is awesome! I wish I was handy but I haven't been blessed with that gift. You have to keep us updated how they fare this winter.

Yeah...not handy here either...