Mold, algae, fungus, or mildew are a frequent problem for greenhouses. Because greenhouses have to as sealed up as possible, any gaps will soon build up mold or mildew on the surface due to the high moisture or dampness in these spots.

Cleaning the mold, fungi, or algae off your walls is a task you will need to do every so often. If not, they can spread, and may infect plants and may also get into your lungs when you breathe (through spores). Not only are they unattractive, they can be hazardous to your plants or your health. It really depends on what type of mildew or mold you’re dealing with, but cleaning them every now and then is good practice.

Keep the surfaces of the greenhouse as dry as possible. Use an old sponge or cloth to wipe the damp areas periodically, and use a mildew spray to kill any built up mildew. You may need to use an improvised sponge attached to a solid wire to get into crevices and clean them.

The floors need to be cleaned sometimes, too. Depending on the build, greenhouse floorings can be wood, cement, gravel, fabric carpeting, or just plain dirt. The floor needs cleaning, as mold, weeds, mud, and decaying plant matter can build up easily on the floor.

Some greenhouse roofs are made of plastic or fiberglass material which will gradually turn a darker shade due to microscopic mold, or heating from the sun. This will reduce the amount of light that can pass through the roof, so you may have to consider replacing it. This degeneration occurs with glass roofs too, making them more brittle, although they may take longer to deteriorate; perhaps a decade or so.

Newer greenhouse friendly polycarbonate materials have been introduced in recent times which are longer lasting, retain heat longer, and do not grow opaque or fade or over time. These panels can last for decades, but the caulking sealant that binds them together definitely still needs occasional repair work in the form of recaulking. You would need a good caulking gun and a scraper to replace the caulk.

Another area that needs maintenance is the area between the panes, where condensation can build up and cause algae and mold to grow. You would also have to clean these areas, although not as often as you would with glass. Also, the polycarbonate panes can be damaged by steep changes in temperature, or thick ice, or falling branches, and so would require replacement. So, that is why the best greenhouse designs are modular plans.

There are many good greenhouse designs today that are eco-friendly and have a modular plan. Besides the above, there are other things to consider if you really want to keep your greenhouse in tip top shape; there’s also the watering system to consider. Make sure the piping system is adequate. Maintaining a greenhouse is not so easy, but in return, a greenhouse provides immeasurable benefits and enjoyment for any serious gardener.

There are so many greenhouse designs and styles to choose from these days. If you’re going for pre-made greenhouses, you will find a whole range in plastic, glass, polycarbonates, and partial aluminum or wood. Building your own might save on costs, but you’ll still be faced with many of the same issues to address.

First of all, consider the foundation. Will it be gravel, wood, cement, or brick? Will you cover the floor with linoleum, carpet, or tiles? With a carpet floor, it is easier to change it in future, but it gets dirtier faster. Some greenhouse floor heating systems may need compatible flooring material, as well.

The location of the greenhouse is important. Depending on where you live, you might get only a few hours of sunshine a day or much more than that. Are there many trees surrounding your house? Make an observation regarding the amount of sunshine you get for your planned location. Also, if you live in a severe climate with lots of hail or snow, you might need additional protection for your greenhouse roof.

Although greenhouses can run on artificial lighting, the amount of sunshine it gets is still an important factor when planning your greenhouse. Southern latitudes get more winter sunshine in contrast to northern latitudes but less so in summer. So if you’re in the northern latitudes, make sure your greenhouse is sited where it receives the most sunshine. Also, you’d need to note that the climate exerts a major influence on the heat and humidity, and therefore, your watering frequency.

Constraints such as trees, uneven ground, or hilly terrain will influence your choice of location for your greenhouse. Trees and walls can provide protection against wind and rain in certain directions, but may also reduce the amount of sunlight the greenhouse receives. Space is a major constraint. If you only have a small garden, will the greenhouse take up too much space as to look out of place?

The climate/weather also needs to be considered. The amount of rain that the greenhouse receives requires you to build adequate drainage to deal with the rain runoff, while the wind speed and direction will require proper orientation of the doors and windows. You wouldn’t want a blast of wind entering the greenhouse every time you open the doors; neither do you want mud or sludge to pile up outside the greenhouse’s walls after a rainstorm.

While you don’t need to be an architect to build or install a greenhouse, you should try to think like one when you’re planning to have a greenhouse. Some gardening common sense and preplanning goes a long way as well. There are greenhouse plans online that you can refer to, which helps. Spending the time in planning up front will eventually give you more time for your plant care later on.

A greenhouse provides the ultimate way to override any climatic changes, and grants you the chance to grow many kinds of plants that otherwise will not survive in your local climate. You get to grow tropical plants inside a greenhouse, even as its snowing heavily outside. Basically, a greenhouse provides the best way to override external climatic factors, and carry on gardening, observing, and studying plants, without being at the mercy of the weather.

Greenhouses (also called glasshouses), are basically any type of building (it can even be a converted shed) that enables growing and cultivation of plants in a controlled climate. The walls and roof are basically made of either transparent glass or plastic, or in the high tech ones, they are supplied with artificial lighting. Many hydroponically grown plants are also grown within greenhouses, as the environment within them is just ideal for this.

History

The first workable greenhouses were built during the 16th century in Europe, although there existed various forms of rudimentary “greenhouses” even much earlier than that. Travelers and traders to Asia and Africa brought back various plants that could only continue growing in a tropical climate. How was possible? The greenhouse was born out of necessity rather any bright idea on anyone’s part. Plants can grow almost anywhere, provided you give them what they need.

To date, the most expensive and largest greenhouse ever built would be the Biosphere 2 project in Oracle, Arizona, USA, which features several ecosystems inside, ranging from rainforest to coral reef.

The usefulness of a greenhouse

A greenhouse can be as large as you want it to be, or little larger than a garden hut or shed. It doesn’t matter, as long as it functions to provide plants with suitable growing conditions.

A greenhouse is desirable when:

• Establishing new cuttings and seeds which require warm, frost free environments.
• Starting the planting of seeds of vegetables like tomatoes, and annuals extra early, so that they can be transplanted to the outside garden as soon the weather turns suitable.
• Growing exotic tropical plants like orchids or pitcher plants, which naturally won’t grow in normal temperate climate conditions.
• Nurturing plant growth out of season, especially if spring is delayed, or a spate of frosty weather is hitting your area.
• Wintering tender plants which would perish under winter conditions.
• Conducting your own studies on growing plants in a clean and regulated atmosphere.

Mechanics of a typical greenhouse

Infrared light, which is part of the sunlight spectrum, doesn’t get out through the glass panes as easily as visible wavelengths. This causes the air inside the greenhouse to warm up, and since a greenhouse only allows a portion of the warm air to escape, it ensures the air temperature within – is constantly kept warm .

Anyone sitting in a closed car in the summer sun can attest that the temperature inside can be pretty hot. That’s why greenhouses used to be called hothouses. By letting a portion of the hot escape, they can maintain the temperature consistently. In addition, wind, amount of sunlight, and pests can be monitored and controlled.

Let’s not forget the comfort factor too. It’s a whole lot easier to do gardening inside a greenhouse rather than outside! Planting, watering and potting plants is less messy than the outdoor garden, simply because plants are often grown in pots while inside a greenhouse. If it gets too bright and hot, you can use shutters or screens to tone down the light. Isn’t that convenient?

Works of art

Fancy “showing off” your greenhouse to your visitors? Well designed greenhouses like The Royal Greenhouses of Laeken and the Kew Gardens, show just how good a greenhouse can integrate within properly landscaped surroundings, and stand as architectural attractions unto their own, notwithstanding the splendid showcase of plants they contain within.