Introduction: Make Your Own Greenhouse (Construct, Plant and Care)

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Welcome to the little world of greenery.

I would be presenting here the green green house built in our home. My in-laws have a great passion for plants and it was their biggest dream to built it adjacent to the house. Coming to the location, we live in Kottayam, Kerala. It took them a year to set up the green house and grow plants in them.

A greenhouse (also called a glasshouse, or, if with sufficient heating, a hothouse) is a structure with walls and roof made chiefly of transparent material, such as glass, in which plants requiring regulated climatic conditions are grown.

Here I will be showing:

1. How we constructed the green house? - Plan and Structure

2. Basics of planting an Orchid

3. Plants in our green house

4. Maintenance of the green house

5. Fertilizers and Insecticides

There are a wide variety of plants in our green house. Come with me for a Nature walk!

Step 1: Plan

The materials required is shown in the first picture.

First a basic structure was sketched down. As you can see from the second picture, the front view of the green house was designed. The picture 2 is self explanatory. The gap for air flow is given on the top.

Materials:

    • Multi layer Co-Ex Polypropylene sheet
    • Netted Sheet
    • Transparent Sheet
    • Mist sprinkler
    • Mist Heads - 24 (8*3 rows)
    • Aluminium Extruded Profile
    • Zig Zag wire
    • Aluminium Profiles For Double Spring Locking
    • Greenhouse Film Repair Tape
    • 1.5 HP Motor
    • A- Shape stand
    • Pots
    • Hanging Pots
    • Fertilizers
    • Large Plastic (1/2 inch) pipes
    • GI Pipes
    • Insecticides
    • Disc Filter

    Step 2: Frame Work

    • So the work begun. It took about two weeks. Based on the plan welding work started. Now the structure was obtained as planned. The frame work is now completed.
    • The next stage is placing the outer material.
    • Having two doors is advisable.

    Step 3: Complete Structure

    After the frame work, began the completion of the green house. This life of your greenhouse depends on the quality of accessories used in the greenhouse.

    3 types of materials are used for the green house. Each material has its own importance.

    1. Multi layer Co-Ex Polythene sheet - The U.V. additives in this film will protect your greenhouse from the deteriorating damage from the sun. It contains an ultraviolet stabilizer that reduces degradation. This additive traps the radiant heat inside the greenhouse from escaping.

    2. Netted Sheet - They are used primarily for protecting against insect infiltration and for shading purposes. They are engineered to withstand a wide range of climatic conditions and stubbornly resist against ripping and tearing.

    3. Transparent Sheet - They are at the lower level. They are also placed under ground for some distance to avoid entry of any insects or pest.

    Step 4: Aluminium Extruded Profiles and Zig Zag Wire

    • PVC Coated Zig Zag Spring is used for fixing the Greenhouse Polyfilm with the Aluminium or GI Profile.
    • From the pictures shown you can clearly see how the polyfilm is placed securely within the Aluminium profile with the help of a zig zag wire.
    • The entire outer frame work structure is done this way

    Step 5: Mist Sprinkler

    We have placed the misting system at the top of the green house as you can see from the photo. The individual unit is shown in the 3rd photo.

    A 1.5 HP Motor is required to run the mist system.

    Why is it essential?

    • Mist sprinkler is designed provide water and to maintain humidity.
    • Misters are used to maintain humidity or temperature control in greenhouse, shade house.
    • This is healthy for the plants and higher humidity levels also helps reduce the watering frequency of plants in the greenhouse.
    • When the greenhouse is vented, essential moisture is lost, and plants are more likely to dry out and wilt.
    • Fog and Misting systems with fine nozzles are very effective at providing additional humidity because their smaller water particles evaporate more quickly.

    Step 6: How to Plant an Orchid (1)

    • To begin with, most common potting mixture consists of charcoal, broken pieces of bricks and tiles, coconut husk and fiber. A potting medium is used here.
    • Charcoal retains enough moisture for the roots to absorb. Of course, it is also cheaply available and is not too expensive.

    • Medium-sized charcoal chips of about 1 inch by 1.5 inch is the best which allows air to circulate between the roots

    Step 7: How to Plant an Orchid (2)

    • Crush the red bricks and charcoal to small size. In the pot alternate between charcoal, broken bricks and potting medium.
    • Place the orchid plant in the pot.
    • Now again start alternating between charcoal, broken bricks and potting medium. Your pot is ready to be placed in the green house.
    • Happy growing!

    Step 8: Fertilizers Used

    These are the fertilizers used. It is designed to supply the required NPK along with micronutrients to induce flowering by regulating the growth of orchid plants. Spray 3-5 gm of Orchid Boon in 1 litre of water on both surfaces of the leaves and aerial roots. NPK ratio is 8:25: 25 enriched with zinc, copper, Iron, Magnesium, Boron, Molybdenum.

    The water soluble fertilizer concentrate can be used for seedlings, indoor plants, herbal, aromatic plants, hydroculture and lawns. water soluble fertilizer concentrate helps in controlling fungal infections and thus, offers maximum crop yield.

    Method of Application: 5 gms water soluble fertilizer concentrate in 10 litres of water for infant plants. 5gms water soluble fertilizer concentrate in 5 litres of water for mature plants. Drip feed or spray this solution to the crops often.

    Note: Natural fertilizers are the best. We use synthetic fertilizers only if very necessary. The main reason is Synthetic fertilizers are water-soluble and can be taken up by the plant almost immediately. But use it very rarely or when extremely essential.

    The nutrients in organic fertilizers are not water-soluble and are released to the plants slowly over a period of months or even years. For this reason, organic fertilizers are best applied in the fall so the nutrients will be available in the spring.

    Step 9: Plants in Our Green House

      • Most of the plants are potted.
      • There is an A shape stand placed in the middle and plant pots are place on it.
      • There are few hanging Orchids on the A stand.
      • Spread your plants evenly throughout the greenhouse, rather than jamming them all onto one bench, so the air is distributed evenly.

      Step 10: Plants in Our Green House - Orchids

      • In our green house we planted in pots, hanging pots which are place on the ground or on an A-shaped stand.
      • Water twice daily and fertilize fortnightly with a recommended NPK orchid fertiliser.
      • Indirect sunlight is ideal for orchids.
      • In this step you can see the Cattleya Orchids and Phalaenopsis orchid.
      • Phalaenopsis orchid are the thick-leaved plants with elegant, arching sprays of blooms.
      • Phalaenopsis are easily grown in the home and stay in bloom for a very long time

      Step 11: Dove Orchid

      • Orchids should be potted in small container/spots according to the size of the plants. As a thumb rule, orchids should be under potted to get more flowers.
      • The dove orchid is shown in the 1st photo. The dove orchid gives beautiful flowers. One striking thing about this plant is the bulb. It has long pleated leaves and large round pseudo bulbs when mature.

      Step 12: African Violet

      • We have a small potted African violet. Light required is Moderate to bright, indirect, indoor light.
      • The African violet may just be the perfect houseplant. It blooms readily.
      • A key point is always avoid any hot or direct sunlight.

      Step 13: Bamboo

      • When you grow potted bamboo in your garden greenhouse, make sure it has appropriate potting soil.
      • Bamboo typically appreciates moderately acidic soil.

      Step 14: Foxtail Asparagus and Fern

      • Foxtail asparagus ferns are attractive evergreen flowering plants.
      • Plant the foxtail fern in a lightly shaded area.
      • Provide humidity to plants growing in the green house.
      • Feed this plant in spring with a time released food or monthly during the growing season with a balanced 10-10-10 plant food at half strength.
      • Keep the soil lightly moist.

      Step 15: Anthurium

      • For Anthurium the neopit mix is used to pot it.
      • Make sure to water your anthurium plant regularly, but do not over water. Only water your anthurium when the soil is dry to the touch.
      • Anthurium is a shade plant and, therefore, has to be protected against too much direct light, radiation and wind. The green house gives the best care it needs.
      • Different varieties of Anthurium is grown in our greenhouse.

      Step 16: Cactus and Strawberry

      • Potted cactus are placed in the green house.
      • Strawberry:
        • Greenhouses provide shelter from wind and strong rains, which can damage strawberry fruit, and provide warmth to encourage off-season fruiting.
        • Pots with a series of holes around the sides, called strawberry pots, are one option for growing several plants in a limited space.

      Step 17: Begonia and Balsam Flower

      Begonia - Watering correctly is important in the care of begonias. Soil should remain moist, but not too wet.

      Balsam Flower - Balsam needs moist, well-drained soil and performs best in partial shade locations. Use large pots to provide plenty of space for them. Keep soil moist while germinating. Balsam likes full to partial sun.

      As a final word, we use even:

      Pseudomonas Fluorescens - Pseudomonas fluorescens is to enhance plant growth promotion and reduce severity of various diseases and controlling fungal diseases.

      Note: When good care is provided in green house we wont need the insecticides. Just in rare or essential situations when plants need immediate attention such can be used.



      Step 18: Thank You!

      I hope you enjoyed the entire journey through the green house and encouraged to built your own. Let it be a small scale one or on a large scale one, the green house surely brings a sense a joy and happiness.

      It brings you close to the nature. My in-laws have a great passion for plants. They spend a good amount of time caring and maintaining the green house.