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Sherry,
Sorry I have not responded sooner. Thanks for including my writeup on your web page, I like the way it looks. The response I have got from friends is good. They can't believe I took the time to write a "term paper" when I am not a student. I do miss the feedback - responses, opinions, etc., that I lost by not including my email address ( I am currently applying for a second email address through work that I could use for personal stuff).
After reading the writeup, I realized that there are several things I should have included (like preferences for everything). Since I went to the extent I did, I should also have covered the plants I have experience with for completeness, but I was getting tired of typing.
The heating costs are not bad at all ( I actually increased the heat to near 60 F minimum). From November 1 to February 1, it has cost about $190. We have had temperatures at least to -15 F. I think the most expensive time to heat was when it was near 0 F. with wind near 40 mph. It took about $3.5 / day in that weather.
Heat bills (cost of gas only):
November-December = $52 ... December-January = $61 ... January-February = $74
It should be downhill from now on.
Tomatoes: I have probably picked thirty this winter. The plants do not produce very heavy and the tomatoes are smaller than in summer but the flavor is excellent. I am no longer white fly free either. I think my neighbor (she has an attached greenhouse with at least seventy pots of orchids) brought the white flies, but she also gave me sticky traps to catch them. In spite of the flies the plants are now restarting vigorous growth. Next year I want to start many fresh plants in the fall and run the temperature even higher for an attempt at profit from the tomatoes.
Roses: I had a full size rose, "Fragrant Delight", bloom in December. It had one bloom December 13 and four blooms simultaneously that lasted from December 25 to January 1. The aroma was incredible, just opening the door was enough to know that a rose was in bloom. I think my neighbor, Carmen (the orchid greenhouse), was envious but my orchids look pathetic so we are even. This rose is putting off new shoots so I expect another flush of blooms in about a month. Interestingly, this plant had a single bloom last spring but did poorly all summer and fall.
Replumbed the water. I had trouble with the water freezing in the attached shed so I replumbed it with new valves etc. and a heat tape. I also installed a 20 micron filter to help keep the misting system from plugging up. I have had the misting system disconnected all winter but it is becoming necessary again, mainly to keep seedlings from drying out on hot days (96 F. yesterday, 2-2-97).
I have added two inches of styrofoam under and behind the water barrels this past week in an attempt to bring their temperature up. I think it made a small difference, maybe two degrees. These barrels might always run below the air temperature since they are next to the north foundation. I did not have to drain the barrels like I initially thought. It was possible to slide/roll them on the pea gravel.
I need to concentrate on getting ventilation into the shed. I am afraid the day temperatures are going to skyrocket soon and with the plastic on there is no other way to ventilate. I may end up removing the plastic before the heating season is over which will make for more interesting heat bills.
I have picked about ten medicinal herbs to plant from seed including arnica montana, horehound, St. John's wort, valerian, and echinacea. I am also experimenting with ginseng seeds and roots. I have been interested in ginseng both as an interesting plant and as a possible cash crop since elementary school and planted 7500 seed outside last year. I am just beginning with it in the greenhouse and it looks promising. I should at least get good data on germination etc.
I have contacted a local large greenhouse and am able to buy geranium seedlings still in 48 cell flats. If I get the overheating under control I may buy one or two flats and grow them. My grandma is willing to help transplant these into pots. [Grandma is clearly a great person.] I will either keep them as cutting stock for next year or sell some of them this spring.
A problem I have now is my interest in too many plants with different culture requirements. [I think that this is a problem most greenhouse gardeners share!] I have several sun loving plants but would like to try shade plants. This year I may try to keep the east half heavily shaded for ginseng (if it grows) and the west end for tomatoes, cacti, geraniums, hibisus, roses, herbs, etc.
That's enough typing for now. . . don't hesitate to forward other responses concerning the greenhouse and if there is anything I can do let me know.
Thanks,
Scott
[Sherry's Greenhouse visitors please note: If you have matters to discuss with Scott directly regarding his greenhouse write-up, please write to Sherry (email link at bottom of this page). I will get an email address for you to facilitate the process. Thank you.]
Use this link to jump over to Scott's Indiana greenhouse main text.