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Indoor Greenhouse?

I need some ideas/pictures/links on indoor greenhouses. I've got around a hundred cuttings moving towards one gallon size and it's too cold at night (and not humid enough) for them to head outdoors. I'm open to suggestions here! Thanks.

Maybe use hard plastic kiddie wading pools to hold a bunch of 1 gallon pots, and make a plastic tent over the pools with some cheap plastic film draped over something to prop it up, like maybe a pvc frame?

If you have a garage, maybe you can add some grow lights and heat it enough to keep them growing slowly.  I'm using a bunch of T5 fluorescent grow lights but you could probably get by with some inexpensive shop fluorescent lights just to keep them going.

I had the same issue - what to do with the baby 1-gallons?
Last Spring I had picked up this greenhouse by Village Green at Big Lots for $20.
I was using it for veggie seeds then - but found it can hold eight 1-gallons on each of the 3 shelves.
So 24 are safe in the kitchen parked by a south-facing window so they catch some rays on nice days and share the house heat. Seems to do the trick! But I don't know how much more I can crowd the kitchen before my operation gets shut down, you'll notice the Humidity Bins next to it - Haha! :)
You might be able to find something similar on eBay or Amazon, or get handy and rig up something with household supplies as GreenFin mentioned.
"Keep on Figging" :)


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dave, 

how tall is space between the shelves? i think big lot still sells them, but not sure if 1 gal will fit in there with top growth. 

Pete,
It's not the best :(
The 2 lower shelves have 13" and the top vaulted shelf is 16" up to 22" in the very center.
Not so roomy but they can hang out there for a bit

that green house seems like a perfect solution for me if i can fit the cuttings with tall top growth. last yr, i killed two White Persian due to moving them to 1 gal. the house was too dry and it killed the top growth, since top was dead, the roots didn't take up the water in the container and rotted. i'm rather reluctant to move my cuttings into 1 gal. few of the cups have enough roots that i'm water often now. 

I've been able to keep my one gallons in humidity bins, but I'm out of bins and bin space. I need to start moving vertically or come up with something else brilliant. Will they go into shock going from a humid 70 degree bin to a less humid 60 degree indoor greenhouse like the one from big lots?

Nice dog :)

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/shipment-of-tree-pots-came-in-today-6262915

I used Stuewe pots because they were only 4"x4"x9". About a gallon size but use less sq ft.

  • Rob

I've got a greenhouse very similar to that pictured to which that I actually attached a sturdy base and wheels.  A couple years ago in the spring I rolled it out of the garage during the day and back into the garage on the cold nights.  Worked OK.  A lot of bother, though, the grow lights are much easier, if you have the space inside. 

Actually, I'd sell it for a reasonable price, since I'm not using it this year.  Send me a PM if you are interested.

I was at big lots today, they have four different sizes ranging in price from $29 to (the one I drooled over) $169....they also have organic potting soil for $8 for the giant bag...

Gloria,
Glad they are back in stock! I'll have to check the Big Lots here - it makes sense they would be stocked up with SpringTime Garden goodies now :)
Tylt33,
I wouldn't worry about the move from 70 degree humidity bin to the 60-something degree greenhouse - they might not grow as rapidly in the greenhouse (less humid, less heat) but most varieties should continue to leaf out. You can put a gallon-ziplock bag loosely over the top of the 1-gallon for the first bit until they really start popping some green out!
SCfigFanatic,
I like that set-up you have!!!

Here's how I did it 2 years ago

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And Here's how I did it last year and this year:

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The greenhouse is inexpensive and good quality 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/160797409416?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Inside is:

[20140123_173405] 

[20140123_173340] 

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And then there's the grow room:

[20140123_173510] 
The cuttings in the hanging basket have rooted and were about to be potted up.  That's done now and there are 2 extra rows of pots in the lower shelf in the third photo from the top.

There are some advantages to being single.   :)





I'm using wire shelving, plastic sheeting and shop lights with "plant" bulbs mounted on the wall in my basement. The lights are on a cheep timer to give the plants a 16hr day.
Here are the shelves with the plastic completely open. You can see the plastic wraps all the way around.
[image] 

To keep the humidity up, which is a challenge in Denver, the bottom shelves hold plastic seed flats filed with water. The flat on the left is sitting on a seed heating mat, which helps too. 
[image] 

and as a backup I have a small ultrasonic humidifier on a humidistat with an old vacuum hose running into the "greenhouse"
[image] [image] 
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What does all this get me? Happy figs!
[image] 

and early peppers, tomatoes, etc.

    Attached Images

  • Click image for larger version - Name: cuttingsInGreenhouse.jpg, Views: 104, Size: 67347
  • Click image for larger version - Name: greenhouseOpen.jpg, Views: 105, Size: 89926
  • Click image for larger version - Name: humidifier.jpg, Views: 107, Size: 104638
  • Click image for larger version - Name: humidifierHose.jpg, Views: 106, Size: 32820
  • Click image for larger version - Name: humidistat.jpg, Views: 106, Size: 88870
  • Click image for larger version - Name: waterTrays.jpg, Views: 106, Size: 58576

I love seeing all the creative fig-growing systems! Very Cool!
Bob C.,
I am IMPRESSED!
Haha yeah - The last pic definitely with the big trees inside gave away your unmarried status :)

Andy,
I like that wall/shelf with plastic idea - I was just eyeballing 2 shelves in my garage and envisioning something like what you've set up, but you've gone all the way - Fantastic!

i use much smaller set up. 

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Bob you have totally gone Griswald on that lighting!!!

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