Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Growing in Greenhouses & Polytunnels => Topic started by: snails2go on March 20, 2012, 13:09

Title: Ammonia smell in greenhouse
Post by: snails2go on March 20, 2012, 13:09
I'm new to greenhouse growing (well all growing really) and have a currently unheated small greenhouse on the patio.  When I opened the door this morning there was a noticeable ammonia smell. The greenhouse has an auto vent and I leave the door open most days. 

I realise ammonia can be produced by fertiliser - but should it be that strong? 

I have a couple of potato tubs in there with first earlies in and a couple of over wintered fuchsias, plus some brassica seedlings.

Now I'm wondering if I was a bit heavy handed with the sprinkling of potato fertiliser I added?? [the first lot of first earlies planted last month look like they're coming through quite healthy .... so far!)

Title: Re: Ammonia smell in greenhouse
Post by: Growster... on March 20, 2012, 13:13
Did you use concentrated fertiliser like 6X Chicken manure Snails?

That produces a very strong ammonia pong, which actually devastaed our greenhouse years ago, before we knew better...

Might be a good idea to keep well ventilated,if you have other seedlings on the boil.

Best of luck!
Title: Re: Ammonia smell in greenhouse
Post by: snails2go on March 20, 2012, 13:19
Thanks for the swift reply Growster.  My neighbour gave me a box of "Potato Fertiliser" telling me to "chuck a hanful in when you plant them" so tbh I'm not sure what it is at all... ???

Green house is only 6x4 & door is approx 1/3 of the side so opening it fully ventilates it all quite nicely  :)
Title: Re: Ammonia smell in greenhouse
Post by: mattwragg94 on March 20, 2012, 14:39
to be honest most general fertilisers have an amonia smell to them, the smell is normal. for example i bought chicken pellets and BFB last week and now the greenhouse stinks! :lol:
Title: Re: Ammonia smell in greenhouse
Post by: sunshineband on March 20, 2012, 16:30
Just need to be careful not to overdose plants when they are just babies, as Growster says.

Seedlings don't need much in the way of fertiliser