Hidden Valley Hibiscus Forum

Hi everyone!  ;D
My name is Aleksandr, I'm from Ukraine (Kiev). My climatic zone is 6b.
This year I've decided to build greenhouse for my hibiscus. We have very cold winters, so I made a half of my greenhouse under ground. Hope it will help me to spend less money for heating.
Here are some photo

PS Sorry for my English, it's not my native language  ;)

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That is very interesting Alexandr. I always thought it would be a good idea to dig into the ground when building a greenhouse. You will have to tell us how it works out for you - thanks for showing!

What is the size of it - how many meters x how many meters?

Charlie

Wow!

Aleksandr, that is some project you have there. I'm sure we'll all look forward to seeing it evolve. So be sure to post lots of pictures as it progresses.
And your command of the English language is better than half of the high school graduates in this country.

Erny

Very impressive Aleksandr!  Using the surrounding earth as insulation is a smart idea.  Please do keep us posted on your progress.

Do you know of other exotic hibiscus lovers in Kiev aside from yourself?  This is very pleasing to see.

Farmer D

Charlie - of course I will post new photo and tell you how it works. Inside size is 7.5m x 4.5m,total 34m2.

Ernest - thanks  :)

farmer d - I'm here not alone in my hobby. There are a lot of people, sick in hibiscus  ;D

Here is photo as it is today. Made water proofing (not finished) and covered with slate to protect it.

How exciting!  Good luck with it!  I live in the same climate zone.  My new greenhouse is the complete opposite.  We built it suspended in the air.  We will have to compare notes :) Great Idea!

Kristen, thanks.

I had 2 weeks of pause in my building and finally continued to work.
Nights are already cold, so I have to build very fast. Hope to make roof within one month.

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 ;D

Fascinating! I see you will have a LOT of insulation. Is it concrete? What is the white material? It looks like the roof will be 2 sides, one very large side and one smaller side. Is the larger side facing the south? Sorry for all the questions, but it is very interesting to see how you are constructing the greenhouse.

Charlie

Charlie, thank you!  ;D

As I told, we have very cold winters, so I do all possible to keep my greenhouse warm in winter! Yes, I paid big attention to insulation!

About white material... I don't know how is it called in english. Google translate: styrofoam, foam plastic, foamed plastics. In our area we use it as insulation. Usually it is used from one side (inside or outside), but I decided to put on both sides. It is also used in packaging. If you don't understand, I will try to explain with other words.

Really roof will be 2 sides. Bigger side of roof (2/3) facing to south, it will be covered with plastic, from this part of roof I suspect to receive light and heat from the sun in winter. Smaller side (1/3) facing to north. As there is no sun from north, only cold wind, I'm planning to insulate this part of roof.

I understand that my greenhouse is unusual, and there will be a lot of questions... All questions are appreciated,I will try to answer all of them. It's great pleasure for me, that you're interested in my building.

Now we are starting to prepare roof. Here is the element of future roof.

Best..

Started to make a roof. Still have a lot to do, but the appearance has changed a lot.  :)

Alexandr, thank you for the explanation. Some big greenhouses use styrofoam here, too. I have seen very large blocks of styrofoam placed inside the walls of the greenhouse. Your roof looks very strong. I guess you must calculate snow load and build strong enough for that. No snow in southern California.

Charlie

Charlie, I have nothing to add. All you write, is always in goal. So I will just post new photo  ;D

I look forward to seeing the hibiscus inside the greenhouse! Good luck completing the construction.

Charlie

I hope soon all my hibiscus will be inside, meanwhile new photo

My building is almost finished for this year, I don't have new photo, but can tell some facts.

17/12/2012 (without heating)
Night outside minimum was 6.8F (-14'C), in greenhouse 33F (+0.5'C)
Day (at 11.00 am, it was a sunny morning) outside 8.6F (-13'C), in greenhouse 42.8F (+6'C)

PS I have temporary window and door, they almost don't keep warm.

Spring (second photo)...

A few weeks ago Cindy and I drove for an hour up onto a mountain to see 2 inches of snow on the ground. Nothing like the snow at your house - that is real snow!

Charlie

You're welcome in my house to see real snow!  ;D

PS This photo was made in Kiev 23.03.2013  :o

Finally started to continue...
I will post some photo later

floor

heating

view of GH

Very nice Alexandr. Looks like you have a very efficient in-the-floor heating system this winter. The plants look very healthy and I see flowers, too.

Charlie

Aleksandr your greenhouse is most impressive!  I would also say the number of plants you already have in there is very impressive as well with lots more room for more.  Congratulations on a job very well done!

Farmer D