Greenhouse, finally.
 

A wish has finally come true. A greenhouse! OK, read between the lines : a new learning curve.
As I am in Europe (Germany), I thought i would share the experience, as wee do have different conditions and, our costs and available materials are different. I mean, electric heating, you must be joking.

Basic infos: 3m x 5m x 3m high (at gabel), about 40 m³ volume (remember 1m = 39.+ inches, say 40" for easy conversion, so 1m³ is about 100 ft.³)
Cement tile flooring (gray and cheap) on 10cm Sand.
Foundation poured cement wall 40cm deep
Wall Isol-glas 16mm, Ug-Wert 2,0, Liight transparence 81%, UV-transparent 30%
Roof Plexiglas 16mm chambered panels, Ug-Wert 2,2, transparence 91% , UV 100% transparent
Frame Aluminium
Heating Propane gas
Temperatur Nights min. 14°C
Humidity 60%-80%
Constant air movement via Ventilator
3 Roof windows with automatic openers
Sliding door

As I was researching materials I found plexi-similar panels, but they allowed less light through and were not UV-transparent. Also, the thermal qualities were not optimal. Considerably cheaper, but this is MY GREENHOUSE! Do it once, do it right. - Penny for the pound - pay now or pay later....you get the picture.

I had the wall in isolation glass, as this gives a better optic and, although not as transparent, is certainly enough for the sides. I could have used it for the roof and, in retrospect, it may have made little difference (other than being less expensive), as a shade cloth is still required for the Summer. Our Winters are pretty dark, which made me er to the more light side of the equation.

The propane heating was the best solution and this little guy is doing the job. Going through about 22K each week, when nights are around the freezing point in the garden. On sunny days the temps reach 25°C on their own. A ventilator is a must, preventing warm spots near the windows, etc.

I have had this since about November 2017 and the growth on the plants has improved markedly. Did manage to give two Vandas some leaf-burn. Yes, learning curve!

Jamie

What a beautiful greenhouse! It sounds like you put a lot of research and hard work into it, and now you and your plants are enjoying it very much. :)

ALRIGHTY!! that looks great! I love sitting out in mine watching it snow...it is WONDERFUL!! I will pop a cork of champagne in your honor!!

I know propane can get pricey, my 12x24' one in north Carolina cost me $400 a month when I shut it down....keep an electric heater as backup also!....and a temp alarm!

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations! The greenhouse is beautiful, I’m very jealous. It looks as if it is working out wonderfully for you and your plants. The setting in your yard is just perfect, appeas as if it has been waiting for this greenhouse. Enjoy!

Great structure and lovely setting. I'd love to do some shopping in there!

Pattywack, I actually built the stone wall and raised the garden just for the greenhouse. Needed to set it in scene. The 'lawn' area below the GH will now be a moss garden, as it is very wet in Cologne and that piece is in 80% shade. Had tried grass, never worked well. Go with the flow.
Thanks for the kind words!
Jamie

You certainly have set the scene! It looks perfect and a moss garden will only enhance the look! Very nice.

Beautiful! Is that a Chamaerops palm? In Cologne? Do you cover it during cold snaps?

Hallo, Mate! not Chamaerops, but Trachycarpus fortunei, which does very well in Cologne. Apparently it can handle -30°C, which we never see. From the mountains in China. Biggest issue is wind damage in the early Spring. We get some nasty storms and the fronds get a bit shredded. I really should tie it up around now, but, with the rains, I'm afraid of crown rot. I just trim the nasty fronds and enjoy the flowers.

The local botanical garden (Köln Flora) recently planted an allee of about 80 Trachys.. Looks fab! I#ve tried other palms and ferns, but this is the tough one. Just plant and go.
Jamie

Looks great.

Yes, beautiful set-up! Looks like you did a tremendous lot of work getting it just right.

That looks amazing, I'd love to have a greenhouse like that! Your research and hard work really paid off. Looks like you have a lot of catasetinae?

I wish I could have a greenhouse like that someday, if we did manage to buy a first house (the market is now way too expensive for first time buyers, even with 2 decent salaries). Seeing the standard yard size of a Dutch house, that greenhouse would take up the entire space and I'd probably have to walk throug hit to get in the house (not a bad idea though).

Camille, I am very lucky to have the room, as you well know. I had thought of an attached greenhouse, but it was structurally not the best solution...and we did have the room. Also, an apartmenthouse is being built across the street, which means we no longer have a private garden! Might just as well have a greenhouse.

Also, for heating efficiency, this is really the smallest GH recommended. Under this size the ratio of volume to outer surface means the heating costs will be enormous and just not realistic in Germany. Probably the same in het Nederland.
Jamie

I'm filing away the information about your greenhouse dimensions, who knows what the future will bring! It's like aquariums, the larger it is the more inertia it has. Many dutch home orchid growers have a lean to greenhouse on their house, unless they have enough land for a larger one. Heating costs are high here, and I don't know how greenhouses will be heated in the future since gas heating is slowly getting phased out of housing.