DIY mini indoor greenhouse

[citywildcat]

rvalkenburg, SO GLAD to hear that!

I knew I couldn't be the only person using these things that was having greatly improved success in their growing. Whether you're actually using it to grow (like I am) or as a "hospital facility" (like yourself), it's really a versatile item.... and affordable too. I think they're pretty cool. I had a custom-made plant stand with marble shelves and grew under lights but never had the success I'm having now. Of course, a big part of it is the amount of sun I get (both from the back, the east window, and the front, the southwest exposure). The downside is I must monitor the amount of sun they're getting because it is so intense, I've had to put up shade film.

I'm so glad to hear you are making good use of this and are happy with the product/project..... Isn't growing fun?

[rvalkenburg]

I made DIY humidity trays for each level of the green house using crate trays from Petco and florescent lighting plastic grids cut to fit. Works great keep humidity levels in the green house at 85%-90% RH. Also using clear slit pots and PrimeAgra hydroponic media it allows the humidity to keep the root at a comfortable level. The blue LED lighting I have on each level is helping a great deal. I know there is some debate as to the usefulness of LED grow lights but I can tell you they do help a great deal, also costs less to run and no heat. I added 4 USB based fans, 1 for each level, connected them to a USB powered hub so that I only have the 1 power line out of the greenhouse. Glad to also see someone else doing this too, wonderful way to make a greenhouse cheap and that works.

[Optimist]

The habitat for humanity re-store is my favorite friend. Check to see if you have one near you!

[derv88]

So great idea here. Do you think a standard 6x4' wire rack could be used like this and purchase clear plastic of sorts and wrap the rack in plastic building a door of course (like tent flaps)?

I wonder what type of plastic would work best without becoming a fire hazard and still being able to completely enclose the wire rack complete with lights and humidifier inside?

Anybody else have success doing this?

---------- Post added at 01:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:05 PM ----------

Like a couple shower curtains together or similiar

[jmmehler]

I too started out with a couple of these. I only installed the bottom and middle shelfs. I did not install the front cross bar where the second and top shelf would be in order to have better access.

I installed between 4 and 6 work lights on timers, using 100 watt cfl bulbs. Now I use them to spike my phals in the fall. I put them out on the back porch, and set the timers for night time. The little bit of heat they cfl bulbs generate, is enough to keep the temp from falling too much at night.

[citywildcat]

In my opinion, the 2 keys are what your intention is (whether you wish to have a walk in greenhouse OR a stand-alone unit) AND the amount of light that is already existing in the area you wish to put it in. I say this because if there's insufficient light in the area you want your greenhouse, you'll have to build a much sturdier unit that will support light fixtures, etc. In my opinion, this is something that would require customization according to your specs (obviously much more labor-intensive and costly). If you want to have your greenhouse in an area that already has a great deal of light that factor is already taken care of and you need only be concerned with ventilation and humidity. Of course, if you want a greenhouse that you can walk around in (I think someone mentioned this) and you also have a great deal of light, this will also require customization according to your specs (similar to a commercial greenhouse). Sure, I'd like a greenhouse that I can walk around in but I have to settle for what I can fit in my kitchen, where I already get a great deal of light. I live in a condominium and cannot build onto my unit nor do I want the expense - so I have settled for what I have. But I've seen many greenhouses made from large aquariums (which someone also mentioned) that are very, very attractive. It's a matter of what you want, what you already have to work with, whether you already have plants and what sizes they are, how much you're willing to spend, and how much work you're willing to put into it! Simple, huh? LOL!! The attached photo is typical of what I'm growing in my mini greenhouse.