AusBonsai

hi guys i have just brought a little greenhouse from ebay with four shelves its about the height of a door http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-STEEL-FR ... 1c275a1038. i have put it in a full sun location becuse how little sun there is at the moment and placed my fig trees and various types of seeds i am trying to propergate. what is everyones thoughts on greenhouses, should they be used to raise seeds and mature bonsais and do you have any tips thanks guys

Hi Seth I have the same greenhouse and have placed my small collection in their as we have started getting frost in Camden and temps has dropped right down. Just keep an eye on them and if you do have an unusually warm or sunny day take care not to fry them.

thanks mate do you find it makes the trees grow better?

I also have the same and use it only for propagation and growing a couple other things (Nepenthes and orchids mainly). You could put a fig or other tropical tree in there temporarily to try and increase aerial roots though I personally don't like keeping bonsai in there because if it is in full sun, it will overheat (especially in summer). If it is in the shade, the benefits of humidity don't outweigh the benefits it would be getting from full sun. Obviously with things that like the shade this is not an issue, hence I use it for prop and other stuff.

Joel

Can anyone tell me how many standard seed trays can you fit on each shelf? I think for the price these are a good investment to propagate seeds (I need space for 30 seedling trays)

Hi Seth I can't comment too much on how it makes the trees grow as I only got mine the other week, and most of my bonsais are starters, but haven't killed any yet so that's a bonus.
I do have majority figs in their as well as serissa, desert rose and olives.
Mines not in full sun, I predominantly use it to keep the cold/frost off my plants. I will also be using it for germination/cuttings etc

hi guys here are some pics of the greenhouse i have now taken the fig out just to be sure thanks for the imput guys and you could probly fit about 3 seed trays on each teir

no probs

I have a similar one that i have moved some herbs into last week as well and mine is partial sun shade which is all my backyard seems to get at the moment but was also thinking of putting my bonsai's in until the worst of winter is over with temps over night dropping to 3 plus the water chill of the damn near us and being in the low end of a valley plants seem to be struggling my biggest problem is wed-sun i leave for work 9ish or earlier and am lucky to get home by 10pm or later hospitality is a slave driver so i cant chop and change my mind tree either stays out side or in and their was a 15 degree difference in the 2 in the sunny part of the day ... really undecided.... but frosts.... hmmmm aerial roots on my fig could be cool... and it should be able to handle the heat... what to do

seth1818 wrote:hi guys here are some pics of the greenhouse i have now taken the fig out just to be sure thanks for the imput guys and you could probly fit about 3 seed trays on each teir

Hi Seth, I would have left the fig in there for winter and taken it out for spring as it warms up. I am sure it would be ok outside, but as figs are a tropical species, you may get a little extra growth out of them through the winter...and you can always keep an eye on them if you are worried about too much humidity.
I am in Melb and I'm currently putting together some make shift hot-houses for my figs. Last year I left a couple outside and this winter I want to see the difference keeping them enclosed.
Just my thoughts about the matter...do what suits you!
Cheers, Dario.

Dario wrote:

seth1818 wrote:hi guys here are some pics of the greenhouse i have now taken the fig out just to be sure thanks for the imput guys and you could probly fit about 3 seed trays on each teir

Hi Seth, I would have left the fig in there for winter and taken it out for spring as it warms up. I am sure it would be ok outside, but as figs are a tropical species, you may get a little extra growth out of them through the winter...and you can always keep an eye on them if you are worried about too much humidity.
I am in Melb and I'm currently putting together some make shift hot-houses for my figs. Last year I left a couple outside and this winter I want to see the difference keeping them enclosed.
Just my thoughts about the matter...do what suits you!
Cheers, Dario.

i have chucked them back in at the moment i figure i can just open the front if it gets to hot thanks heaps guys

Decided to move my fig and 2 struggling other trainers in i have 2 others that seem to be doing fine so they stay were they are I'm still learning and if they die then that was my learning curve all goes well ill take a few photos of the fig and we shall see how it compares by the start of spring.

Just thought I would add that I saw the same greenhouse on sale at rejec shop today for $25.
Almost tempted to buy another one and fill it up-just gotta find a way to hide it from the mrs...

Luke308 wrote:Can anyone tell me how many standard seed trays can you fit on each shelf? I think for the price these are a good investment to propagate seeds (I need space for 30 seedling trays)

I too have one of these and plan to use it for seed prop. The seed trays i have are 35cm x 29cm ( not sure if thats the standard size) but i can fit 2 trays per shelf.

Re keeping trees inside a green house.
@ rintar, I keep all my trees outside all the time. Figs, Bougy, Hibiscus all stay out side no worries as we rarely get frosts here and if unlucky it will get down to 0 deg.
Only if i got a hard frost would I worry,a nd even then with them up against a fence or wall they will be protected anyway.

Put them in a green house if you really want to push growth thru winter or live in a subzero frost prone location ( NSW Southern Highlands, Central plains, New England etc), but Sydney, coastal or further north, i would not worry about figs out in the weather year round.

Ken