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Bob
03-08-2009, 11:08 AM
Last week it snowed 10". It warmed up although yesterday morning there was still snow on the ground.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=16011&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16011&ppuser=4095)
Since the day was going to get warm(it hit 70F) I figured todays' a good as any to put up the cheap plastic tunnel bought mid winter on ebay.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=16013&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16013&ppuser=4095)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=16012&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16012&ppuser=4095)
It went up easily but since it was about to blow in to the next county I staked it down. Spikes were 18" to 2' in to the ground and used plastic ties to attach them to the frame.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=16014&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16014&ppuser=4095)
YOUVE GOT TO HAVE A THERMOMETER( actually im going to get a Hi/Lo to monitor whats going on.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=16015&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16015&ppuser=4095)
Finished it off with a big piece of slate(you can barely sse it inside) on to which will go a kerosene heater around April 1st.
All buttoned up. Depending on temps I have some windmill and needle palms going in the ground this year to move in. The house is getting full. Bananas will hopefully start in here mid April depending on air/soil temps.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=16016&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16016&ppuser=4095)
The whole project cost less than $150, the hoop house with shipping was $120. I traded a case of beer for a brand new kerosene heater. All the rest was scrounged from the shed.
Next up some field hockey goals that will soon be poly tunnels as well.

Michael_Andrew
03-08-2009, 11:51 AM
Wow. I never thought you could get set up with a tunnel that cheap. Nice going Bob. So do you call it a green green house?

Taylor
03-08-2009, 12:04 PM
Beautiful! Nice thermometer!

Worm_Farmer
03-08-2009, 12:30 PM
Very NICE! I am going on ebay right now to find one of these!

Dalmatiansoap
03-08-2009, 12:35 PM
Bravo Bob,
Nice score U have there!!:woohoonaner:

austinl01
03-08-2009, 01:54 PM
Awesome thermometer and good building on the greenhouse.

Ueberwinden
03-08-2009, 02:27 PM
Bob,

I have needed to put up a greenhouse for several years now. This just might be the year to do it. Don't forget to post some pictures once you fill it.

Michael

hammer
03-08-2009, 07:32 PM
nice green house for the price mine is a 10x10x8 got it this last year 90pounds easey to move day tenp 82 night70 got it at target

Chironex
03-09-2009, 12:33 AM
Bob, I have the peaked roof twin to yours. I should have purchased the quonset style, but was in a hurry to get one, so I didn't think about the pluses and minuses. I couldn't stake mine down, so I turned the bottom flaps in and set the largest pots on them to hold it in place. I like it though.
My only complaint is that they should have put velcro all the way around the window openings. But, for the money, it works fairly well.

Now to find one of those thermometers. I looked on eBay but the cheaper one is broken and the other is waaaaaay to much money in my opinion.
So I will watch for another one.

Tog Tan
03-09-2009, 02:00 AM
Hey Bob, very nice set up. Do they come in bigger sizes? :02:

Bob
03-09-2009, 08:30 AM
Thanks all, I figured there would be a lot of interest in the thermometer! The one in the pic is metal and I got it for about $20. Also there are plastic versions usually in better condition. Search ebay long enough and you'll get one reasonably. Sometimes they go for ridiculous amounts only to see the same thing come up a few weeks later for a good price.
For the $120 I paid for it I'm happy even if I get a couple of years using only in spring or fall.
Scot, good point about the windows. I guess velcro's cheap enough it might be worth adding to keep the heat in at night.
Tog, these are so cheaply made that I probably wouldn't get a bigger one. When I post my next project you'll see how I'd do it for a larger sturdier hoop house that still would be reasonable and stronger.

momoese
03-09-2009, 05:46 PM
I agree, that's a cool thermometer! I'll have to look for one myself.

LilRaverBoi
03-10-2009, 10:20 AM
I traded a case of beer for a brand new kerosene heater.
LMFAO...that's awesome! :bananas_b
Glad you staked it down....just make sure it's super solid. After dealing with a lot of similar structure for camp-outs/festivals, I know that they're not always the most solid when exposed to wind. I'd hate to see yours get blown down in a storm or something. Also, as for the heat, I'm not sure what the output is on your heater, but it might be difficult to keep a consistent temperature in your greenhouse. Maybe try a timer if it doesn't have a thermostat.

Great work, though...looks like you'll be getting started early this spring!

Kylie2x
03-10-2009, 02:30 PM
BOB!!! Congrats!! That is very cool!!! YES I am Jealous...LOL
The Thermometer.. SOOO COOOOOL! made me want to throw a Pineapple and Banana on my head and dance...Carmen Miranda Style...
what was thermometer called on ebay I would love to have one...
Thanks!!!
Kylie

Bob
03-13-2009, 06:43 AM
Hey Kylie, just search chiquita in ebay. they pop up there all the time ,just be patient and don't over pay. There's been one there for $75 bucks for a while . I got a couple between 20 and 30 $. Metal and plastic........ B.O.B.

Oh if you're overcome and end up doing the Carmen Miranda dance , please post for us all.

Tog Tan
03-13-2009, 01:41 PM
Hey Bob, as to the inquiries about the thermometer in your new castle, I thought this could be a great alternative. It's only (2 x 5 x 1/4)in and very light, being made of plastic. It has both the thermometer and the RH (Relative Humidity) meter side by side. I find it quite accurate and it's small enough to be put into a deli box to check the reading of your seed germination. In fact, it's so convenient you can put it anywhere.

I normally carry one around when I go collecting plants in the jungle so that I can note down the readings to be replicated for the specimens I bring home.

It's a gadget meant for checking the environment condition of reptile housing. I have many of them and now they are put to good use for my plants. It's made by ZooMed and you can find them on the net. Have a look at their catalog. They have all kinds of stuff which is also suitable for plants such as heat mats, heat source and very good lighting tubes which is of very high quality.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=16110&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16110)

Chironex
03-28-2009, 02:47 PM
Almost lost my greenhouse the other day when the winds kicked up! I had to put everything that I could find on the flaps just to hold it down. I think the gusts were 40-50 mph. It's still here, but the sides of it blowing in and out broke off a nice pstem on a lasiocarpa! I was so P.O.'ed, but maybe it will pup. It snapped it off right at soil level. <Groan>

CookieCows
03-29-2009, 09:44 AM
So sorry to hear about the wind damage Scot! This is my first time looking at this thread and I was going to ask if either of you had any wind to speak of to see how they would hold up and I guess I got that answered. We get pretty high winds here off and on. At least the plastic and structure stayed intact though.

Bob
03-29-2009, 10:40 AM
I'm in a particularly windy spot . I drove anchors at least 2' some much longer in to the ground 4 per side and fastened them to the frame. It hasn't budged.

CookieCows
03-29-2009, 10:58 AM
I'm in a particularly windy spot . I drove anchors at least 2' some much longer in to the ground 4 per side and fastened them to the frame. It hasn't budged.

I bet the dome shape helps.

sandy0225
04-02-2009, 06:48 AM
They have those high-low thermometers at farmtek.com and lots of other goodies too.
Go to menards and get some anchors that you drive down into the ground to hold that sucker down. If the frame is heavy duty enough to stand wind when tied down and not break. When I started out, I had a little tent thing like that and I put strapping over the top of it and drove anchors on each side. It eventually did blow away anyway though, but at least it waited until summer when I didn't really need it anyway. We get too much wind here, everything has to be pretty much hurricane rated. I couldn't get anything to stay over my veggie stand until I finally bought a metal carport, heavy duty and anchored it down to the ground with those anchors. We routinely get 45-50 mph winds from oct-june. Also cement blocks on those "skirts" of plastic will help, but the wind will rub holes in your plastic, so wrap them in old blankets, towels, or t-shirts first so that they're not so abrasive. I found a picture of it on webshots, I used this little sucker for a couple of years when I ran out of space, until the zipper quit working in the door. It was tight quarters when a customer wanted in there with me though!
http://thumb0.webshots.net/t/26/26/5/77/94/388357794RxCoTf_th.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/1388357794058549380RxCoTf)

Bob
04-02-2009, 08:02 AM
So far there's been no trouble at all from wind. If anything you're right sandy the frame would break before it blows away. The blocks on the "skirts are just to keep wind out a bit. I discovered yesterday that during torrential rain that the seam on top leaks a bit no big deal though. not even going to bother with patching. I did end up buying a remote Hi/lo thermometer from Home Depot though. I set the remote sensor on a post close to the ground. During the day this can be up to 20* difference from the thermometer on the ceiling but that's to be expected. It's nice to be able to read it from the house in the middle of the night. Its not the best GH but if I get a couple of years out of it I'd be satisfied. I now have all palms a few basjoo and sikkimensis in pots and some cardoon seedlings along with a perenial herb pot in there and all are happy.

Chironex
04-02-2009, 09:09 PM
I took mine down last weekend, just before we had massive winds. The gusts had to have been over 50 mph. Glad I had taken it down or I would have been up all night keeping an eye on it. If my landlord would have let me put it on the grass, I could have staked it down fine, but it had to me on the concrete. She didn't want any dead spots in the yard from my containers. I can see her point.
It did its job though, getting my bananas through the winter. So I am happy about that. The one that was broken off by the sides flapping in the wind was my K'auala'u, not the Musella as previously thought. Major bummer!!!

LilRaverBoi
04-02-2009, 11:37 PM
I've been looking into long-term ideas for greenhouses I want to own in the future. It seems that if I want anything tall enough for banana cultivation that I'll need to delve into the commercial-grade options. Otherwise, the smaller-more recreational versions are all under 8 feet tall or so. And that's just not gonna work. I'm sure once I get my own place that I'll start off with something smaller, but hopefully I can eventually afford to get something tall enough to support my banana addiction! What I really want will cost about $20k....OUCH! Might not ever achieve that, though...LOL and I feel a bit insane for even looking at those models. Guess it's alright to dream big, though, right? Too bad money doesn't grow on banana trees, huh? :)

Bob
04-03-2009, 09:28 AM
Bryan, I haven't posted it yet but search Charleys Greenhouses. They sell all sizes of clips that can go on the lightest to heaviest plastic or metal pipe that secure plastic sheeting. The tallest commercial greenhouses are way over my head financially but , I think something could be designed with these that was especially tall for at least some "dwarf" bananas. At least it would not cost thousands. The heating bill is another story.
I will try and put up some pics this weekend of how I'm using them.

LilRaverBoi
04-03-2009, 09:52 AM
The heating bill is another story.
I will try and put up some pics this weekend of how I'm using them.
Yeah, isn't that the truth!