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PVC Greenhouse Vs Outside toilet?

CraighBCraighB Posts: 727
in Plants

Hi all,

I am overwintering some plants and cuttings and I decided to get a pvc greenhouse. However with the temperatures dipping to around minus 6 the compost started to freeze.

So I have an outside toilet which is attached to the house and has shelving in there and I wondered would this be better to overwinter the plants in as it will keep them completely frost free? The only problem is there is very little light in there. I imagine this is fine for those plants that are completely dormant but things like my Japanese Anemone root cuttings have started sprouting little leaves so would these be ok to be in the toilet? Obviously the greenhouse has more light but it isn't completely frost free.

Thanks

Craigh :)

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,117

    They'll want light as well as being kept frost free.  Best to move them into the loo at night and out again by day if you can.  If not, just put the dormant stuff in there for the duration and take the Japanese anemones into a cool room with a window sill with no radiator under it.

    Another option would be to cover your little greenhouse with a layer of bubble wrap if you can find some in your local garden store or DIY and attach it well so it doesn't blow away.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,699

    Inside your PVC greenhouse, why not cover your cuttings with 3-4 layers of fleece. If you buy builders' non-woven dust sheets, they are easily cut to size and easily propped up slightly with sticks so not to damage the young growth. It's quite easy to remove and cover back on.

  • CraighBCraighB Posts: 727

    Thanks guys I will do exactly that!

    I'm going tomorrow the completely dormant plants that have no green growth inside the loo until spring and I have just bought some bubble wrap for the greenhouse.

    I will also get some dust sheets bit on nights where the temp does fall to around minus 6 I may just bring them inside for the night to be on the safe side :)

  • CraighBCraighB Posts: 727

    What would be the lowest temperature that hardy plants in 9cm pots would be comfortable with? Or is it anywhere below 0 degrees that it becomes iffy?

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,117

    It depends.  Some plants are hardy to -5C and others to -25C - in the ground.   No matter how hardy, small plants in small pots won't survive having their roots frozen solid in early life.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
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