Glass/Greenhouse in melbourne (forum)

Damian starts with ...
Hello all,

Just thought I might toss this in for opinions and discussion.

Would there be any benefit to setup a glasshouse made of a frame with glasshouse plastic covering in the backyard with no heat source or humidity control.

Would this be sufficient for frost protetion when melbourne temperatures reach 2 degrees? It is very rare melbourne would drop below that in winter. When trees are said to be frost sensitive does that mean "frost" sensitive or more accuratley temperature sensitive? I seem to get the feeling the 2 terms get intermingled. Tropicals are commonly referred to frost sensitive, does that mean it will be ok if temperatures reach 0, but adequate frost protection is provided? I am a bit confused with the terminology, the rollinia is commented with "young trees will be killed by 3 degrees" but presumably, water doesn't freeze at 3 so there should not be any frost.

Anyway, I'm more keen to know will an unheated glasshouse help with tropicals since the internal temperature will be very close to external temperature.

Time: 24th September 2008 11:04am

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About the Author Damian
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Hassan says...
HI Damian
Basically lower temperatures damage plants in two different categories:
1. 'Chilling': this usually happens in lower tempratures but above "0" and severely affects on sensitive parts of the plant ( flowers, developing fruits,leaves and young shoots) but it can not kill the plant unless it is influcing continuesly for a long time!
2. 'Frost': this is a developed stage of chilling which can be either the result of a severe chilling or it happens independently. temperature will drop to "0" or lower which could kill young plants and its severity degree depends on centigrade degrees and duration.

Establishing a plastic tunnel or igloo helps a lot to control lower temprature damages. Regardless of your plant habit ( Tropical or temperate, the cover save daylight temperature and doesnt allow it to drop suddenly during cold hours of night time. I think it is more effective if you make a plastic tunnel rather than plastic shade or greenhouse because tunnel's size is much smaller and can keep daytime temperature more efficiently.

Time: 1st October 2008 8:41am

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About the Author Hassan
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van says...
Where would one be able to find a plastic tunnel? Would covering with shadecloth at night be suitable?

Time: 3rd June 2009 11:55pm

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