Although we are known by many for our unusual miniature species, we also carry some great varieties which grow a little larger. 

 

 

Five such species are being offered this month at special prices, via our "the more you buy, the more you save" cheesy infomercial approach!

  

All five of these plants are blooming size and are in 6-8 inch baskets to accomodate their pendulous growing habit.  You can hang them up and watch them bloom from below!

 

 

 

It may seem a little early to think about winterizing to save on fuel costs this winter.  Never.  You may even consider doing what we have done in preparation for the winter months -  shrinking our growing area.

 

I have been working on shutting down a greenhouse off and on all summer.  House #5 (about 3000 square ft) had no south or east walls, which made sealing it off not so easy a task.  Yet it was a logical choice to close off due to the fact that it is an inefficient growing house (single pane glass dating back to 1957!) and it is adjacent to a previously closed house (House #7, shut down two years ago). 

 

So I built the walls over the summer,  using 2 x 4's, foam insulation panels, plastic curtains, plywood, aluminum tape and lots of hardware.  I'm not the world's best carpenter, thus the area looks a bit like the Pink Panther's unfinished basement.  But I can tell you this: it is airtight, baby (pretty close, anyway)!

 

Last week Liese and the crew moved out all of the remaining plants and I finished sealing it with removable insulation panels for each aisle and a door.  We hope to save between $5000 to $7000 this winter alone on natural gas costs.  It cost me about $750 in materials to build the walls, etc.  The savings will be perpetual. Even if we open up the house in spring to accomodate imported plants, we can easily close it back down in the fall when the cool weather approaches.

 

We have to do these types of things because of the cost of fuel and the economic conditions, but you may want to consider something like this on a smaller scale. 

 

Plastic sheeting and/or insulation board can be used to seal off and/or insulate growing areas from the sides and top (I used two sheets of plastic with an airspace to enhance the "R" value in spaces where insulation board could not be used). 

"Great Stuff" aerosol insulation and/or plastic, aluminum or duct tape and caulk can be used to seal up the gaps. 

 

I bet that if you get creative you can consolidate your plants into a smaller space. Then seal off a part of your greenhouse or growing area to keep the warm air confined to that smaller space.  You may be able to save some dollars on fuel and at the same time make room for your partner's annoying hobby.  Think of the mileage that'll get ya!

 

Good luck!

Greg