Mini Greenhouses

I have several mini greenhouses .. well, I guess they may be called germinators. The largest is the size of a seed tray (38cm x 24cm) and the two smaller ones are about half that size. The problem is that the covers have discoloured and are now yellow. The little vents are still operable. Are they still effective to use?

Thank you in advance.

 

Provided they still allow light to the seeds or seedlings you have in them there shouldn't be a problem. Have you tried wiping the covers over with a solution of bleach which might take the yellowing out of them.

 

Are you taking the covers off shortly after the seeds germinate? If so I don't think it will be a problem. You need max. light to stop Seedlings becoming leggy, but if there is no lid on them that's not a problem! Better than the airing cupboard though, as seedlings there could be in pitch-dark until you spot they have germinated.

For cuttings I wouldn't have thought it mattered, they need humidity and some sort of shade, and I can't see that light reduced to 70% (say) due to fading would be an issue.

So if the lid is for humidity and not 100% light transmission then I would do nothing.

But I like the Bleech suggestion to revive them

If light transmission is critical get some new ones, and relegate these to cuttings and not-yet-germinated seeds. or eBay !!

 

I'll try the bleach moyra, thank you for that.

Kristen, I do not have a problem with light. Currently our temps are running 19-21c days with blue skies as far as you can see, and 8-10c nights. I planted some Musa velutina, Abutilon (giant hybrids), Antigonon leptopus, Passiflora quadrangularis and Passiflora foetida yesterday so I guess it's more for humidity, which is lacking here, so I planned on keeping them moist ... assuming that is what I am supposed to do as I am useless with seeds but got these on sale from Chiltern.

I will let you know how things go ... with the bleach and (hopefully) germination.

 

Sorry Victoria, though I doubt bleach will solve the problem
The plastic changes it's properties,and the yellowing is within the plastic not a film built up

Jack McH

 

Thank you, Jack my friend. I didn't think it would work and got carried away with things this evening and didn't try .. but I will do tomorrow.

Hope you and Mrs McH are well. You are off on your cruise this year and I have booked a holiday in a palace and a castle so must catch up with our adventures. xx

 

I never noticed your booking at McHammocklashing Falkland Palace Freuchie Fife ?

Or maybe you are going to WARMER climes :-)

Jack McH

 

Hello Jack .. no sorry, not at your equisite establishment but here on the West Coast of Portugal .. so yes, WARMER climes ....

So, we were out today at the beach with friends for lunch and I have done nada in the garden BUT I noticed what I think is something popping up in the mini greenhouse .. in the Musa pot ... whey hey ... I have put the tray back into the outdoor living room from being on the kitchen patio table and I shall look again tomorrow. If anything comes up from this lot, I WANT it to be the red Nana....

 

I have discovered a very inexpensive way to have mini greenhouses, after moving house had a number of large clear plastic containers with lids i lined the bottom with damp newspaper planted runner beans in peat pots and within 3 weeks they are up !
protected from frost, do remember to move the lids over when the sun is on them but the results wow... just had to share this I.Shall start of some sweet peas tomorrow and the good thing is the pests can't get at the plants. Rosietutu

 

Great idea Rosietutu!