How do you use your portable greenhouse?

Farmette · April 20, 2016

I have a 6 X 8 portable poly type greenhouse and want to know how you use yours when seedlings are several weeks old. I potted up my Tomatoes into 3" square pots and solo cups. Can I just put them in the greenhouse if it is well ventilated or do I need to put shadw cloth over them for most if the day, increasing sunny times.

wxcrawler · April 20, 2016

I build mine about two weeks after I start seeds. And I take it down after plant-out. That means it's usually up for 8 weeks or so. It takes about 30 minutes each to put up and take down. Mine has lasted 5 years in the Oklahoma wind and sun doing it that way. My zippers (for the side doors) are finally wearing out, so I may have to replace it next year.

Lee

Dutch · April 22, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farmette

I have a 6 X 8 portable poly type greenhouse and want to know how you use yours when seedlings are several weeks old. I potted up my Tomatoes into 3" square pots and solo cups. Can I just put them in the greenhouse if it is well ventilated or do I need to put shade cloth over them for most if the day, increasing sunny times.

Hi Chris,
I slowly acclimate my plants to full light in the greenhouse. I couple cloudy days in a row helps a lot. I have several rows of selves so keeping the new arrivals on the lower selves for a bit helps too. There have been times when I have used shade cloth too. For me there is no set of rules I use on a regular bases. I keep checking on what Mother Nature is giving me and take it from there.
Dutch

nancyruhl · April 22, 2016

I have not seen a need for any shade cloth. I have been using these for years. On sunny days, I make sure that the door is open and the back door is opened partially also. I do the shelf rotation thing also, usually at that crucial time when the plant have been recently potted up. This year we had severe dips in temperatures late and my portable heater tripped off during the night and I lost some stuff. On sunny days, you might have to water more than once.

April 20, 2016	#1
Farmette Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 985	How do you use your portable greenhouse? I have a 6 X 8 portable poly type greenhouse and want to know how you use yours when seedlings are several weeks old. I potted up my Tomatoes into 3" square pots and solo cups. Can I just put them in the greenhouse if it is well ventilated or do I need to put shadw cloth over them for most if the day, increasing sunny times.

April 20, 2016	#2
wxcrawler Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 115	I build mine about two weeks after I start seeds. And I take it down after plant-out. That means it's usually up for 8 weeks or so. It takes about 30 minutes each to put up and take down. Mine has lasted 5 years in the Oklahoma wind and sun doing it that way. My zippers (for the side doors) are finally wearing out, so I may have to replace it next year. Lee

April 22, 2016	#4
nancyruhl Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Metro Detroit, Michigan Posts: 1,051	I have not seen a need for any shade cloth. I have been using these for years. On sunny days, I make sure that the door is open and the back door is opened partially also. I do the shelf rotation thing also, usually at that crucial time when the plant have been recently potted up. This year we had severe dips in temperatures late and my portable heater tripped off during the night and I lost some stuff. On sunny days, you might have to water more than once.