Bubble wrap?

Discussion in 'Greenhouse Growing' started by Resonate, Feb 17, 2012.

  1. Resonate

    Resonate Gardener

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    As you can see from another post i have not got it erected yet (steady:mute:)

    I was wandering as i sat down with a nice cup of tea after getting my small wall knocked down, i am going to buy an electric parasene 2kw heater, so as to get my seedlings off to a start, would i still need to bubble wrap for insulation as i am not overwintering.

    Thanks to all who Respond
    Bob

    P.S. Marley, Frank Zappa, i would never have associated you liking that type of music after seeing your pic in the members section, but never the less good choice choice in my book:dbgrtmb:

    just goes to show NEVER! judge a book by the cover:WINK1:
     
  2. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    Insulation is a must if you are heating a greenhouse, otherwise it will cost you a fortune :dbgrtmb:

    If you are just starting off seedlings then it would be cheaper to start them indoors on a windowsill, or a heated propagtor then move them into the greenhouse later on. What I do is only heat a small part of my greenhouse (it's sectioned off with bubblewrap/plastic).

    The other thing I do is have my heater on an 'energy monitor' (costs about £10) and it tracks how much power is being consumed, I only use a 300W soil warming cable, it's costing me less than £1/week just to keep it frost free. A 2kW heater will obviously cost a lot more, depending on how hot you want it.

    A good max/min thermometer is a must have too :dbgrtmb:
     
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    • moonraker

      moonraker Gardener

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      Hi what JWK has said is very good advice,
      what i'd add is this ,

      Dont get to carried away with what the seed packet info ref when to sow says, As ive said before this info is only a guide and not set in concrete,

      if you hang on until the weather offers a warmer climate you'll find your seeds will soon catchup and the outside ground temp/ would have also warmed up and if need be this outside soil can be covered with fleece etc to keep the soil warm ready to recieve the young plants.

      the heating cost of greenhouse heating is really going out of the window these days so for the sake of waiting a little longer you could save your self money that could be spent on plants.
       
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      • Dave W

        Dave W Total Gardener

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        If you have electricity in the GH as you obviously have, then as John says it would be much (very much) more economical investing in a heated propagator. Apart from anything else if you buy/make one with good thermostatic control you'll get better better germination.
        Bubble wrap makes a vast difference to heat loss and should make about three weeks to a month's difference in how soon you can plant out.
        When things start to hot up from May onwards bubble wrap can help reduce over-heating in much the same way as netting does and also helps keep over night temperatures up too.
        I used to put up bubble wrap from winter to mid May but now leave it in place all year round.
         
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