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 allotted window space.

Greenhouses come in many forms. 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 catalogs often have small greenhouse supplies such as vents, windows and watering systems.

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).

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

Dustin Mann - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Dustin is the first person I knew with an exotic small greenhouse attached to his home. Before we met, he told me:

"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 Dustin 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 Dustin's article “How I Grow Bonsai Indoors”.

Jerry Meislik - Whitefish, Montana

When Jerry retired and moved to Montana, he took what he had learned, researched some more and went all the way with an unbelievable facility for his tropical bonsai!

For me the most interesting part, in addition to his trees, is what I read about the floor and drainage system.

If you are seriously considering expanding your indoor growing space, take a look at this must-read lighting article on Jerry’s site.

Carl Rosner - New Jersey

Carl, like many hobbyists, began with a few indoor plants placed by the windows of his home. Also, like most of us, a few bonsai trees became many. This is what Carl had to say about his porch turned ‘Tree House.’

“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 Suth Jersey area.

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!”

Where to Go From Here

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Be sure to also see this truly unique, not so small greenhouse. It is far from a small greenhouse, but you will enjoy it! This page adds new meaning to the words "pool house".

Or you may want to see more about growing bonsai trees indoors.