Attached Greenhouse Growing

FreeSativa

Active Member
Hi all, not sure where exactly this thread belongs, but I figure this is probably a good spot.

I expect to get a Massachusetts card within the next month or two, I would like to get my greenhouse ready. I have almost no experience with indoor/greenhouse growing and the greenhouse has only been used from March to May/June in the past. There are no lights, heating, or cooling. Half the greenhouse faces my living room and the other half faces the south. 30' long, 10' wide , brick floors, drafty, uninsulated, hot as hell in the summer and 30yr old clear Plexiglas windows/walls. I plan to have my greenhouse functioning year round and for more than just marijuana plants.

Heat- I used to use a kerosene heater to heat the area for when I smoked, but I'm thinking of getting a propane heater.

Cooling- I'm thinking about setting up a cheap misting apparatus, but I'm not sure if that will be enough during the summer. I live in South Eastern New England and the summers tend to be hot and very humid. I *think* the hottest I've seen in my greenhouse is 110f.

Lighting- This is the big question. What kind of additional lighting should I use? Cheap, cheap, cheap is what I need to do. Cheap up front cost and cheap electricity costs (I pay $.18/kw). I'm thinking of LED and possibly building the panels myself (I'm handy with a soldering iron and understand ohms law). I'm thinking of overhead LED on a motor and pulley system to move the lights back and forth. Maybe even some strips of leds going vertical on the studs (2-3' spacing). Any suggestions, ideas or tips?

Soil-
I'll worry about that later.


Thanks for any help!


EDIT: Just wanted to add that when I start my seedlings in the spring (all plants), they're leggy by the time they get planted outdoors. That's why I need additional lighting.
 

spenc96

Active Member
I have a small green house, I have some plants in them now waiting for the spring. The nights get like 40 here and my heating mats keep it warm enough for my baby, for you you might want to use some cock and seal as much as you can up. The propane tank heater would work it doesn't need to run forever just to keep the temp above 60. The lights I used to supplement the outside light are just some 4 foot fluorescents. With plant bulbs, you might want the really bigger ones. Might set you back 150 but they will be cheap to run on a 12/12 cycle to keep your plants growing before you put them outside, and without budding. I would even go as far as painting as much as you can white.
 

spenc96

Active Member
You might want to do 13/11 and wait for the days to get around 13 hours long before you stick them out
 

spenc96

Active Member
If you are handy cut a vent into the very highest point, something you can shut and open to let the heat out, also a misting device would be great for plants, they love water on their leafs as long as you keep the humity down.
 

GABBAG

Member
Insulate like crazy. Use clear plastic that comes in large 40'X 100+ lengths. Most commercial nurseries have it, if you talk to them this winter you might get some for free when they remove old plastic from their houses. I suppose hobby grower catalogues would offer some more managable sizes and tips on insulating. Cover the whole things, and be sure it is secure, so it doesn't tear with the first good blow.
Good luck
 
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