My big project: Greenhouse for Frank Yee Cork Bark Portulacaria Afra

[Bonsai Nut]

The only thing I might do differently (which is an easy change) is to install a two or three tier concrete block pony wall along the bottom of your greenhouse walls, which would allow you to raise your entire greenhouse 18-24" off the ground and give you a lot more head clearance in the greenhouse proper - perhaps even allowing tiered shelves, etc. Many greenhouses sell extension panels for the door - which is the only part of the greenhouse you actually have to change to raise it off the ground.

 

[BillsBayou]

We just got back from the Lone Star Bonsai Federation convention in Corpus Christi. My wife was buying every different variety of port. afra she could find. There's a guy on eBay selling cuttings. I'll have to post some updates once the cuttings start developing flaky bark.

 

[JoeWilson]

Very cool.

If you ever find a route for these into Europe, do let me know. I cannot find them here.

What's the issue getting them into Europe? Is it customs or something like that? I have a bunch of cuttings, and I could probably send you a few when the roots are more established.

 

[hemmy]

gas/electric/water lines,

Are the lines in the slab? If not, how do you keep the waterline from freezing? As an aspiring greenhouse owner someday, I have lots of questions.

How were the summer temps? Did you have to empty it or did the vents (or active ventilation) keep it cool.

 

[leatherback]

What's the issue getting them into Europe? Is it customs or something like that? I have a bunch of cuttings, and I could probably send you a few when the roots are more established.

They are just not really around. So shipping would have to be from outide EU which requires all sorts of certificates for import.

Thx for the offer. I however managed to get one, and have started propagating to make it more available in EU.

Thread 'Cork Bark Jade With Thanks from Leatherback'

Aug 12, 2024

Today a little box arrived. @Carol 83 kindly popped some Jade cuttings in a box for me. It should be corky ones... So exciting!

@Carol 83 would be nice to see the barked over mature specimen that has served as a mother!
Naturally, after 2 weeks in a little box they were a little sad. I do hope they root for me and start growing soon!

• leatherback
• Replies: 19
• Forum: General Discussion

• 
• 

 

[cbrshadow23]

Are the lines in the slab? If not, how do you keep the waterline from freezing? As an aspiring greenhouse owner someday, I have lots of questions.

How were the summer temps? Did you have to empty it or did the vents (or active ventilation) keep it cool.

Gas and electric each are in shallow trenches. They come up through the slab on the backside of the greenhouse and penetrate through the slab under one of my benches .
The water line is in a deep trench (42 inches!) to keep from freezing. That one comes up through the slab as well, but slightly further in from the edge so that it doesn't freeze under the slab. Our winters are quite cold here in Chicago.

 

[Jrmcmich]

Do you overwinter trees in greenhouse? Wonder how temp fluctuations are?

 

[cbrshadow23]

Do you overwinter trees in greenhouse? Wonder how temp fluctuations are?

Yes I do. It's triple wall polycarbonate on an insulated slab and is heated with a natural gas heater. It stays about 70-80 degrees in there all winter even with our brutal winters here in Chicago. I just love it.

 

[cbrshadow23]

The only thing I might do differently (which is an easy change) is to install a two or three tier concrete block pony wall along the bottom of your greenhouse walls, which would allow you to raise your entire greenhouse 18-24" off the ground and give you a lot more head clearance in the greenhouse proper - perhaps even allowing tiered shelves, etc. Many greenhouses sell extension panels for the door - which is the only part of the greenhouse you actually have to change to raise it off the ground.

Height doesn't seem to be an issue for me. I'd love a larger footprint, but I'm out of space in my yard as it is. I keep considering Tiered shelves, but I'm not actually convinced this would save me any space. The trees under the shelves wouldn't get as much light so that would be low value space for me.
I'm installing grow lights under the benches and will have trees in those areas. That's not without downside, but nothing really is.