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Post by andy on Jan 19, 2011 9:44:07 GMT
What minimum night time temperature can you maintain your greenhouse at ? On very cold nights with my 3kw oil filled radiator on 3/4 full (setting no 3 or 4 out of 5) , my largish conservatory seems to keep at around 10 degrees C. Discuss  |
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Post by Geranium on Jan 19, 2011 10:29:47 GMT
I have two greenhouses, both with thermostatically controlled electric fan heaters. One is kept just frost-free, and that's where I over-winter fuchsias, pelargoniums etc. The other one is slightly warmer - up to 6 degrees. I have the more tender and 'special' plants in there, like my collection of Coprosmas.
It does push up the electricity bill alarmingly, but this is my 'hobby' as well as my passion, so OH grumbles a bit but understands. I also have a heated propagator in there, but that costs pennies, not pounds. I started my begonias off in there this week.
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Post by Chuckles on Jan 19, 2011 11:49:13 GMT
I can normally keep my unheated GH frost free with bubble wrap in the roof space which comes down and over the first pain of glass, I roll it up and down like a blind if need be. I have polystryrene sheets below that and some on the floor, some staging has poly sheets on too. Sometimes I set up an internal affair for extra protection of any special plants. This year I failed miserably due to the extreme weather we had and it went down to -8.
I think they usually say bubble wrap gives you 2 - 4 degrees above the outside temps ? ?
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Post by Auricula on Jan 19, 2011 17:12:24 GMT
I have an unheated greenhouse and it is usually frost free. If severe weather is forecast I have a small electric fan heater which I programme to come on for 2 hrs during the night, to keep it above freezing.
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Post by andy on Jan 19, 2011 17:37:48 GMT
Reason i was asking was for seed germination. Most seeds say 15-20 C and im not sure i can maintain that at night. pretty certain ive grown stuff in years gone by with a minimum night temp of 9 or 10 c
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Post by Geranium on Jan 19, 2011 17:50:39 GMT
That's why I got a heated propagator last year. It was fantastic for germinating seeds! ;D
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Post by andy on Jan 19, 2011 18:33:58 GMT
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Post by Dutchy on Jan 19, 2011 18:58:14 GMT
GH novice but I read somewhere an unheated one with bubble wrap can stay 1 to 3 degres C warmer.... Not much help when temps are below minus 5. As there is no electricity at the lottie I have to see and find out how to work with the new GH without mod coms. I have a windowsill electric heater but that goes to between 20 and 25 C It works wonders for Toms and Aubergine and the likes of them. How ever normal temps on the windowsill drop from 20 plus to 15 plus at night and that still gives me good germination for things like Nicotiana sylvestris, Cobea scandens etc. I suppose getting things wrapped up on the windowsill should work if your temps drop to 9. It is not a bad temperature and if it worked before it is bound to do so still. Mind a heated prop. is also good for the gadget desire in ones self  |
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Post by Auricula on Jan 19, 2011 20:31:30 GMT
I have a small heated propagator too - it works well |
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Post by Chuckles on Jan 19, 2011 21:45:35 GMT
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Post by Geranium on Jan 19, 2011 22:36:20 GMT
I'll take a photo of mine tomorrow, Chuckles. It's BIG! (I fill it easily, though!) ;D |
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Post by andy on Jan 26, 2011 17:30:42 GMT
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Post by Cheerypeabrain on Jan 28, 2011 20:15:10 GMT
I think that sounds really good Andy, my GH is unheated and I just use it for storing the borderline hardy plants in over winter...it just keeps them dry(ish) really.
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Post by Geranium on Jan 28, 2011 22:04:13 GMT
I'll take a photo of mine tomorrow, Chuckles. It's BIG! (I fill it easily, though!) ;D  Now you know what it's like! |
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Post by Auricula on Jan 28, 2011 23:44:18 GMT
Gosh, that's a good size Geranium - does it have a thermostat? Mine ( a very small one) doesn't, but it seems to do the job |
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Post by andy on Jan 29, 2011 6:18:11 GMT
That is nice Geranium Well i ordered two 30" x 12" heat mats today at a cost or £35. There won't be any top section yet but at least the seed trays will be warm. The idea will be to put the mats on my staging which measure 30 x 12", put the gravel tray on top and then a 1cm layer of sand. The seed trays will sit on the sand. Hopefully, when i get my greenhouse built this year, i'm going to have a partitioned off propagating area where i can have a small heated section when the rest of the GH is unheated Now to look at mist systems !!! |
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Post by Geranium on Jan 29, 2011 9:45:01 GMT
Gosh, that's a good size Geranium - does it have a thermostat? Mine ( a very small one) doesn't, but it seems to do the job Yes, it is thermostatically controlled, and it also has a second layer of sides that I can add if I need to put taller plants in, or a larger pot. I started off with a smaller heated prop which I got from freecycle, but with no thermostat. I'm going to get it running today to put a couple of pots of dahlias in. |
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Post by carolann on Jan 29, 2011 10:14:12 GMT
That is a beauty Geranium and very handy I have never had a heated prop but I have looked at them from time to time but the only ones I have seen are very small they only fit about 2 full sized trays in but you have me wanting to go and have another look at them maybe today ;D
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Post by isabella on Jan 29, 2011 14:13:19 GMT
I'll take a photo of mine tomorrow, Chuckles. It's BIG! (I fill it easily, though!) ;D Now you know what it's like! I like it very,very much Geranium ;D As I grow a few cuttings it is worthwhile me having one of my greenhouses heated through the Winter. The temp ranges from 45-50 i think I have 2 heated propagators that are very busy in the spring and just about keep me going at seed sowing time |
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Post by Geranium on Jan 29, 2011 15:59:18 GMT
Well, as I said - I fill this! It's a Vitapod, and I spent a while on 't' net finding the best price - they varied a lot so it was worth doing. I don't regret buying it. |
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Post by andy on Jan 29, 2011 18:26:11 GMT
I've just bought a wicked beast from Wyevale called a sun tunnel and a tray that goes with it. It's like a cloche and is made from semi rigid clear plastic with a couple of vents at each end and you can buy a big tray for it to sit on.
The unit is 42" long and 15" wide and cost £22 for both sections.
I got my heat mats today too so i have a superb heated propagator for £38 !!!
pics will follow ;D
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Post by Geranium on Jan 29, 2011 18:30:57 GMT
Well done - that sounds like a good deal. |
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Post by andy on Jan 30, 2011 11:45:11 GMT
My heated, DIY propagator ;D   |
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Post by Geranium on Jan 30, 2011 12:51:31 GMT
Excellent, Andy!  |
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mowgley
Assistant Gardener
Posts: 163
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Post by mowgley on Jan 30, 2011 18:20:07 GMT
I'm liking your idea andy. Me thinks abit of diy is in order  Just been checking out those reptille heating mats. Did you end up using these? |
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Post by andy on Jan 30, 2011 18:54:49 GMT
Yeah...i got 2 of the 35" x 11"...approx 40 watts. I was a bit sceptical at first as i thought they'd fry the seed trays but they give off a nice gentle heat which i put the trays directly on.
I'll post the results in the coming weeks. At present, i have Toms, peppers, onions, Antirrhinum and 4 trays of woodland and alpine strawberries.
present air temp is 14.5 degrees C which is ideal.
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Post by isabella on Jan 31, 2011 16:14:08 GMT
Looks brilliant Andy |
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mowgley
Assistant Gardener
Posts: 163
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Post by mowgley on Feb 3, 2011 22:44:37 GMT
Andy did you put the seeds tray directly on the heat mats or did you put a layer of sand on them?
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Post by andy on Feb 4, 2011 6:09:44 GMT
In this particular case Mowgley, yes, the trays went straight on the mats as they only seem to give off a real gentle heat which is ideal. the seeds trays do need to be watered daily as they dry out quick but i seem to be getting a day time air temp of around 19 c.
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Post by andy on Feb 4, 2011 12:50:46 GMT
This is a great photo which shows just how well certain seeds respond to bottom heat. These are tomato golden sunrise. The half that has germinated were over the heat mat whist the other side wasn't. The "cooler" side is just showing signs of germination but the side on the heat mat are a good 3 days ahead  |
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piece of kit Andy. Have you thought of trying to do something with underfloor heating wiring and a posh cloche. Jean sowed ;D sowed the idea on the Heated Prop thread here 
