[WendysLot]

Hello

I have a greenhouse for the first time and I believe that it is south facing and my plot has the sun all day.

On Saturday I put my lovely seedlings of coriander, basil, scotch bonnet chillis and cape gooseberry in the greenhouse.  I also took my tomato plants that were about 4 inches in height and doing really well.  I had nurtured them all from seed at home on the windowsil (I live in a flat).  I was on the plot Sunday too and everything had a good water.

I thought everything would be ok but today, after work, I went to water everything (thinking that they would be fine for 2 days) but I was devastated to learn that I had lost three quarters of my tomato plants, all my chillis, all my cape gooseberry, the soil was bone dry.

My basil was all shrivelled up but the soil was still damp.

Most of my coriander was ok.

Please could someone tell me what I am doing wrong.

Is it the extremes of temperature (its constant in my flat) or the sunlight that has scorched them?

I really want to be able to use my greenhouse but this is not going well at all. Can't imagine I will be able to use it when the weather gets warmer as its still quite chilly!

Maybe I should have some form of blinds to keep some of the sun out?

I closed the vent because it is still very cold especially in the evening, but when the sun is on the greenhouse it is very warm.

Thanks,
Wendy 

 

[sunshineband]

What a disappointment after all your work 

But there are a couple of things to remember

1. It is really a bit cold at night in an unheated greenhouse for tender plants like the ones you moved in......it'll be another three or four weeks at least before they will cope

2. You will need some kind of shading --- white out paint that turns transparent when wet is useful and cheap, old net curtains are good too. This will save the temperature rocketing on the sun and damage to the leaves through scorching too.

I hope that helps a bit   

[gavinjconway]

Do you have automatic window opener? and do you leave the door closed or open during the day. Greenhouses can get extremely hot... even on a sunny winters day..

[DD.]

I suspect the extremes of temperature have done it, as suggested by the others. My sensitive plants are in a heated greenhouse, (min overnight temp of 10C) and it i opened during the day, as on the occasions when the sub comes out it can get extremely hot.

I have to water daily, I would not risk not doing so.

I would think the daytime heat will have dried out the soil and the low night time temperatures  have put the nail into the coffin.

I won't be using my unheated greenhouse for tender plants until well into next month.

[sunshineband]

I suspect the extremes of temperature have done it, as suggested by the others. My sensitive plants are in a heated greenhouse, (min overnight temp of 10C) and it i opened during the day, as on the occasions when the sub comes out it can get extremely hot.

How much rain have you had? 

[DD.]

That's what come of typing in the half-llight with 10 thumbs!

The spool chequer said it was OK!

[sunshineband]

That's what come of typing in the half-llight with 10 thumbs!

The spool chequer said it was OK!

Only teasing  (Who am I to talk?  )

[WendysLot]

Hello

Thank you for your replies.

No Gavin, I don't have an automatic window opener.  I shall open the door when I start using it.  Last night I dashed back to my greenhouse (after reading Sunshinebands reply) and rescued the surviving plants and took them back home, poor little things.

In preparation for the summer, I shall get some blinds or nets fitted and make sure I leave the door ajar all day and most definately water every day.

Oh well, a lesson learned!

Wendy

[snowdrops]

Another point to consider along the same lines is that the smaller a greenhouse is the more difficult it is to keep it cool in warm/sunny weather so automatic windows in the roof & louvres in the sides are a real boone to keeping the temp something like,also keeps the air flow moving to prevent diseases.