Is a Small Greenhouse Your Answer

A small greenhouse may be the answer for storing your tropical bonsai trees during winter ... especially if you've gone beyond your alloted window space.

Greenhouses come in many forms. You've probably been to bonsai nurseries where the greenhouse is huge. You don't need anything that big!

There are kits for freestanding backyard types and some you can add on to your home.

Many of them are do-it-yourself and come with instructions.

Gardening catalogues often have small greenhouse supplies such as vents, windows and watering systems too.

As your tropical bonsai selections become larger (and larger); you will eventually need more space, more light and lots more maintenance. When this happens, “room to grow” takes on a whole new meaning (unless you live in the tropics).

There are many reasons not to have a special room in your home for indoor plants in your home. Peeling paint and wallpaper, water on the floor and mildew are just a few of the potential problems! (Before you experiment, call on experts for advice.)

The following are some not so typical ways bonsai growers have managed to have a "small greenhouse".

Dustin Mann - Ann Arbor, Michigan

"I am the proud owner of a greenhouse purchased through Four Seasons Construction (supplier for many fast food facilities.) I now look from my living room, through the glass door wall to view my bonsai collection. State of the art glass, heat reduction, motorized vents, screens, reverse osmosis water, hot water heat etc. ... it's like a Burger King but with bonsai!"

When I visited him and his wife Bobbie, we walked from the living room through glass doors into a different world.

I was amazed at his beautiful bonsai trees. At that time, he was still doing the dance of the tropicals – in and out according to season.

Over time, Dustin discovered that the year round low light of Ann Arbor was just not sufficient. Today his tropical bonsai are in the small greenhouse under metal halide lights year round! The results compete with anything in a Florida nursery!

Dustin is the go-to-guy when it comes to metal halide lights! If he doesn't convince you, no one will. Read his article “How I Grow Bonsai Indoors”.

Jerry Meislik - Whitefish, Montana

For me the most interesting part, in addition to his trees, is what I read about the floor and drainage system. Can't wait to see it.

Jerry has greater detail on his set-up and those of several other small greenhouse arrangements on his web site. If you are seriously considering expanding your indoor growing space, take a look at these must-read articles on Jerry’s site.

Not everyone will be in a position to take Jerry's phenomenal example. However, many other unique techniques are being used.

Carl Rosner took advantage of an existing space and turned it into his small greenhouse.

Carl Rosner - Margate City, New Jersey

When winter hits the mid-Atlantic states, the southern storms coming up the coast pick up a lot of moisture and dump heavy snows upon the south Jersey area.

(Especially this past winter of 2010).

That is the time I enjoy opening the door between our living room and my ‘Tree House' (given that name by my wife).

While the snow is piling up outside, the sight of Bougainvillea in bloom, the tiny white flowers or the hanging green and red fruit on the Fukien tea, as well as the jasmine aroma of drooping flowers on my Wrightia religiosa just delight the senses.

I would never give up the tropical trees, which can be enjoyed year round. It is my tropical paradise

In addition to his bonsai passion, Carl is a fine artist. See Carl’s impressive oil paintings here.

A Not So Small Greenhouse

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