Photonbucket Blog
Photonbucket Blog
I have been busy of late, despite my quietness here. So with work progressing nicely, I thought I'd start a blog. I will certainly be looking for planting advice along the way.
I have been watching my Bougainvillea decline steadily over the last 6 months. I think that despite getting a reasonable amount of sunlight, it needs the summer and direct sunlight under glass (as opposed to polycarbonate). I have other plants laying around rotting and generally dying. So converting the greenhouse to a mini arid biome seemed like a good idea. I had the eureka moment the night before last and got up early in the morning and unscrewed all the wooden shelving, which is now strewn on the lawn.
The end result is here: just using existing plants that needed some love. PS - I did have a Medio-Picta, but I snapped it in two at the base when removing the pot.
This should fill out quite nicely, but I have a few more plants to go in.
I have been watching my Bougainvillea decline steadily over the last 6 months. I think that despite getting a reasonable amount of sunlight, it needs the summer and direct sunlight under glass (as opposed to polycarbonate). I have other plants laying around rotting and generally dying. So converting the greenhouse to a mini arid biome seemed like a good idea. I had the eureka moment the night before last and got up early in the morning and unscrewed all the wooden shelving, which is now strewn on the lawn.
The end result is here: just using existing plants that needed some love. PS - I did have a Medio-Picta, but I snapped it in two at the base when removing the pot.
This should fill out quite nicely, but I have a few more plants to go in.
Re: Photonbucket Blog
Just a single day Cordyman. This slotted in nicely because I had a load of hardcore to get rid of. I ended up loosing half of it under the arid bed.
Here is where I am up to with the bottomless conservatory. It's been hard work but I have really enjoyed doing it. I am pretty much a novice at DIY, but I have learned as I have gone on.
I budgeted about £1000 for the whole project and I reckon it's going to fall around that figure. The most expensive part is the Palram Sunlite Polycarbonate roof.
My favourite part is the cut out washing machine back I used to make a register plate around the flue. Getting the huge flag stones up (some of which ended up in the greenhouse), has been hard work. I used a Milwaukee PH26X and an HD18PD for general drilling.
Here is where I am up to with the bottomless conservatory. It's been hard work but I have really enjoyed doing it. I am pretty much a novice at DIY, but I have learned as I have gone on.
I budgeted about £1000 for the whole project and I reckon it's going to fall around that figure. The most expensive part is the Palram Sunlite Polycarbonate roof.
My favourite part is the cut out washing machine back I used to make a register plate around the flue. Getting the huge flag stones up (some of which ended up in the greenhouse), has been hard work. I used a Milwaukee PH26X and an HD18PD for general drilling.
- Dave Brown
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Re: Photonbucket Blog
That is some conservatory Tom With it's own woodburner
What dimentions is it ?
What dimentions is it ?
Best regards
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Re: Photonbucket Blog
Looks great for a days graft!photonbucket wrote:Just a single day Cordyman. This slotted in nicely because I had a load of hardcore to get rid of. I ended up loosing half of it under the arid bed.
Here is where I am up to with the bottomless conservatory. It's been hard work but I have really enjoyed doing it. I am pretty much a novice at DIY, but I have learned as I have gone on.
I budgeted about £1000 for the whole project and I reckon it's going to fall around that figure. The most expensive part is the Palram Sunlite Polycarbonate roof.
My favourite part is the cut out washing machine back I used to make a register plate around the flue. Getting the huge flag stones up (some of which ended up in the greenhouse), has been hard work. I used a Milwaukee PH26X and an HD18PD for general drilling.
The outdoor/indoor conservatory is fantastic too
Re: Photonbucket Blog
The dimensions are 4.8 meters by 3.85 meters approx. It's not quite as large as I'd like, but I doubt I could have taken on much more myself. I love coming across problems with the build. Somehow the solution always came to me. It's a great confidence booster.
One benefit is that it is extended from (but not physically attached to), the existing conservatory. So on those hot evenings, we can sit with the double doors open.
I used Bayliss Mk3 autovents (x2) as they are able to lift 6kg. They work really well. This is the smaller of the two vents along with the bodged register plate.
Dave, that isn't a wood burner, it's my exterior Grant Oil Boiler. So heating the house, heats the "biome" with the waste gases in the flue.
One benefit is that it is extended from (but not physically attached to), the existing conservatory. So on those hot evenings, we can sit with the double doors open.
I used Bayliss Mk3 autovents (x2) as they are able to lift 6kg. They work really well. This is the smaller of the two vents along with the bodged register plate.
Dave, that isn't a wood burner, it's my exterior Grant Oil Boiler. So heating the house, heats the "biome" with the waste gases in the flue.
Re: Photonbucket Blog
Another hard day outside cutting and drilling. I have now tanked the back wall to prevent damp, started the sleeper borders and put up the living wall.
I will post another topic in the main forum because I am stuck for plant species and soil and that is my next job.
I will post another topic in the main forum because I am stuck for plant species and soil and that is my next job.
Re: Photonbucket Blog
Randomly placed plants still in their pots, just to give an idea.
Re: Photonbucket Blog
News flash: The misting system is in. After just a few minutes, the humidity was up to 95% in the biome, even without the door on. (Not fitted yet). There are four of these even spread using 25mm PVC pipe. They spread a nice cloud of vapour.....
I am amazed how many plants pack into such a small area. Already packed out the back corner with Monstera Delicosa, Musa Basjoo, Rhapis Excelsa, hedychium greenii, various dieffenbachia, Anthurium, Zingiber 'Dancing Crane', Brugmansia, alocasia sanderiana, various Bromeliads and some "clingers on" in the form of Tradescantia.
I am amazed how many plants pack into such a small area. Already packed out the back corner with Monstera Delicosa, Musa Basjoo, Rhapis Excelsa, hedychium greenii, various dieffenbachia, Anthurium, Zingiber 'Dancing Crane', Brugmansia, alocasia sanderiana, various Bromeliads and some "clingers on" in the form of Tradescantia.
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Re: Photonbucket Blog
Really interesting project. Did you line the inside of the sleepers?
Re: Photonbucket Blog
Ah! I lined the house, but not the sleepers. I guess that is ominous!
I plan to be in this house about 5 years, so I hope they outlast that. Hanging the door today, but with zero expertise.
I plan to be in this house about 5 years, so I hope they outlast that. Hanging the door today, but with zero expertise.
- Dave Brown
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- Posts: 19742
- Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 10:17 am
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Re: Photonbucket Blog
did you connect the misting system to the rain water?
I damp the floor down and shut the doors to raise the humidity in my Lunar Module. I'd like to be able to mist the plants, but my water comes from bore holes and is so chalky, deposits on the leaves build up in no time It is the mist always evaporates rather than dripping off.
Best of luck hanging a door, it's not the easiest task
I damp the floor down and shut the doors to raise the humidity in my Lunar Module. I'd like to be able to mist the plants, but my water comes from bore holes and is so chalky, deposits on the leaves build up in no time It is the mist always evaporates rather than dripping off.
Best of luck hanging a door, it's not the easiest task
Best regards
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Re: Photonbucket Blog
What Make / Brand are the misters? They look like fancy rotating jobbies, rather than just nozzles?photonbucket wrote:The misting system is in.