Using A Translucent Plastic Greenhouse?

Clear plastic is a suitable covering material for greenhouses, providing a clear and transparent view of the interior. It allows easy observation and monitoring of plants without compromising structural integrity. To install plastic on a greenhouse, follow these steps: measure your greenhouse, attach the plastic, and choose the right type of plastic.

Greenhouse plastics come in various transparency levels, including clear, opaque, and white. Clear plastic allows the most light, making it suitable for most gardeners. Opaque plastic filters light, while white plastic diffuses light and reduces the risk of sun damage to plants.

To extend the growing season, use two layers of tough plastic with a blower creating an air space between them. Clear plastic is beneficial for growing areas that need more sunlight, as it diffuses light and reduces the risk of sun damage. The first step in selecting the right plastic sheeting for your greenhouse is determining the type of resin used in its production.

Clear plastic allows the maximum amount of sunlight to penetrate the greenhouse, promoting faster growth and higher yields. DIY greenhouse builders often use clear plastic and polyethylene film sheeting material, but some argue that clear plastic has no advantage beyond being able to see through it. Clear greenhouse plastic sheeting allows for maximum light transmission but also retains high heat. White greenhouse plastic sheeting diffuses light and is less effective.

Can plants grow under clear plastic?

Clear plastic greenhouse covers provide maximum light, warmth, and versatility for various plants. They allow maximum sunlight penetration, promoting faster growth and higher yields. However, they can cause sunburn on sensitive plants without proper shading or ventilation. Additionally, clear plastic can result in temperature extremes, with high daytime temperatures and cooler nights. Therefore, proper shading and ventilation are crucial for a safe and effective greenhouse environment.

Which is better, a green or a clear greenhouse?

Direct sunlight is ideal for seeds during germination, as seeds require warm soil for sprouting. Clear greenhouse plastic sheeting is the best choice for crops needing direct sunlight. White greenhouse plastic sheeting is suitable for diffused sunlight, which spreads sunlight more evenly throughout the greenhouse. Translucent or white greenhouse covers ensure light spreads evenly from the top to the bottom. Opt for the opaque cover if possible, as it ensures the plants’ light is evenly distributed. Diffused sunlight is best for plants that live their entire life within the greenhouse.

How to use greenhouse plastic?

1. Secure the frame with UV-resistant plastic sheeting. Drape the sheeting over the entire structure, using zip ties or clips to secure it. Avoid pulling the plastic too tightly, as it needs flexibility to withstand wind and weather conditions.

2. Create ventilation openings on both sides of the greenhouse. Leave gaps along the bottom edge of the plastic sheeting or install vents or windows that can be opened and closed as needed. Ventilation allows fresh air to circulate, prevents overheating, and controls humidity levels.

3. Seal and Insulate any gaps or openings where heat may escape. Use duct tape or adhesive to seal the edges of the plastic sheeting to the frame and close any small holes or gaps. Proper insulation helps maintain a stable temperature inside the greenhouse and protects plants from sudden temperature fluctuations.

Can I use a clear plastic tub as a greenhouse?

The mini greenhouse idea is effective for over-wintering potted plants. To ensure proper moisture, place the pots in a plastic container with a lid that vents hot air on warmer days. The lid can be propped up or slid off to allow easy movement of the plants. Ensure the soil is moist but not wet before placing the plants in the container to prevent root rot and reduce water requirements. Water the soil early in the day to absorb water before the temperature drops and prevent drying off the leaves. Avoid letting water collect in the bottom of the container and consider adding drain holes for better drainage.

Can I use clear plastic for a greenhouse?

Modern greenhouses have improved by using transparent materials, with clearer plastics being preferred for better photosynthesis. The goal is not to maximize sunlight, but to find the right balance between thickness and transparency. Some plants need enough sunlight to survive, while others need as much as possible, depending on the type of vegetation.

Weight is another important factor to consider when choosing a greenhouse covering. Thin plastic sheets are strong but can become heavier with added thickness, affecting the greenhouse’s frame. While heavy plastic is not bad, it’s crucial to ensure the frame is sturdy enough to support it. The right balance between thickness and transparency is essential for a greenhouse’s optimal performance.

What are the disadvantages of plastic greenhouses?

Plastic greenhouses offer an affordable and flexible alternative to glass greenhouses, but they are known for collapsing and not keeping out frost at night. Despite this, they are cost-effective and flexible, suitable for almost all surfaces, easy to transport, and quick to disassemble and rebuild. They are a great option for renters and beginners. This article reviews the experience with plastic greenhouses, highlighting the positives and negatives, and outlines key upgrades to improve the experience. It draws on comments from hundreds of viewers on a review video made last year.

Do plastic greenhouses need ventilation?

Plants grown in glasshouses, conservatories, plastic greenhouses, polytunnels, and garden frames require proper shading and ventilation, especially during summer. Leaf temperature is controlled by transpiration, which cools the leaves. Dry plants at the roots are more susceptible to drying out. Air movement over leaf surfaces also has a cooling effect. Therefore, plants grown in these environments require adequate shading and ventilation.

Do plastic greenhouses keep plants warm?

Plastic sheeting is effective in blocking wind and snow but doesn’t provide enough insulation to prevent plants from freezing in an unheated greenhouse. To maintain a suitable temperature, additional heating solutions are needed. A double layer inflation system, which uses two sheets of greenhouse covers instead of one, can be created to create a double wall system that blows heat in between the layers, effectively trapping and retaining heat. This technique creates a stable environment for plants without significantly increasing the cost of additional heating solutions.

Does sunlight go through greenhouse plastic?

A greenhouse is a trap for the sun’s radiation energy, which penetrates through transparent walls. As sunlight reaches darker surfaces of plant leaves or soil, it is partially absorbed and converted into heat and partially reflected. The heat builds up inside the greenhouse, causing temperatures to rise. To prevent overheating, selective ventilation or cooling systems can be used. Glass or transparent plastic film walls are not necessary, but plastic films are easier and more flexible.

Mulch films, used on about 4, 000 hectares of arable land in Germany, are black films that cover the soil around field-grown crops like vegetables, strawberries, or sweet corn. Under these conditions, no weeds grow, moisture is retained more effectively, and fertilizer is not leached out quickly. In the cool spring season, they raise the soil temperature by at least two degrees Celsius and function as a mini greenhouse for the roots, allowing earlier planting in vegetable plots.

Light stabilizers are used in various industries, including the coating industry, adhesives and sealants, and photovoltaic cell production. They retard the degradation of materials and their embrittlement, providing a longer life time for these products.

Can I use clear plastic in my garden?

Clear plastic sheeting is ideal for greenhouses requiring direct sunlight and soil solarization, as it traps heat from the sun, promoting water conservation and growth. White plastic sheeting, either translucent or opaque, can diffuse or block light depending on its thickness. For evenly distributed light or soft light, white plastic sheeting is a great greenhouse cover, weather protective covering for barns, and silage. It helps reduce hot temperatures, making it an effective tool for conserving water and encouraging growth. The thickness of the sheeting also affects the light distribution.

Are plastic greenhouses as good as glass?

Toughened safety glass or tempered glass are safer options for greenhouses due to their ability to break into smaller pieces and reduced clarity. However, they do not provide as much insulation as polycarbonate, leading to higher heating costs in cold weather. Polycarbonate greenhouses offer superior durability and insulation, as they are virtually unbreakable and can diffuse light to prevent plant scorching and promote even growth.

Plastic greenhouses, often made from polyethylene, are the cheapest option available and are lightweight and easy to set up. However, they do not offer the same level of durability or insulation as polycarbonate material. The plastic can tear easily and may need to be replaced every few years. Overall, the choice between polycarbonate and glass greenhouses depends on the specific needs and preferences of the buyer.