I have just moved to the country and I want to build a greenhouse to grow tropical fruits like bannanas and oranges. Any suggestions? I was thinking about a building 10 X 20 ft, and 15ft high at center. I was hoping to do 2x4 construction with poly and some glass panels that I have saved from old construction. Cost is a factor as I am retired and have a small fixed income. Where do I purchase these plants? How do I cultivate them? I know that this is a very general bunch of questions, but I don't know if it is possible to grow bannanas and such here. As I am starign from scratch, I could "build to suit"! What preparation for them inside? Elevated beds? What heat source? I live on Van. Isle, south central ( upper Cowichan valley). Thanks for any help. Cherie
Sounds like fun, you will need to find banana plants that won't exceed the hieght of your greenhouse, as some of these perennials can grow fairly tall. Your local nursery will probably have both plants that you want. If not Salt Spring isn't far away, they sell them at Foxglove nursery. (Phone first for stock). Also, Nanaimo isn't far away they have a couple of big nurseries, call and see what they have. Also, www.rarepalmseeds.com sells banana seeds, they also will let you know what variety will work best for you. I'm not so sure about oranges, but, I have seen them in nurseries. Carol Ja
Thanks- I will contact those nurserys. Are there any books or places to check out how to build a greenhouse? Or any tips before we start? With most things that I've done without knowledge, I learned what not to do, too late! cherie
I think one of Elliot Colemans books has some building tips, (Four season Gardener?) but I'll have to double check Carol Ja
Okay, I just checked on Amazon.ca there is a book by Mark Freeman called Building Your Own Greenhouse, by Stackpole books fairly inexpensive. They might have it at your local book shop bring this number ispn # 0811727750 Carol Ja
Hi Cherie A couple of suggestions If you are going to recyle 2X4 ( and kudos to any one that does) After the Greenhouse is framed and before You glass it spray the wood with a 2to4 mix of bleach and water to kill anything that maybe hanging around on the old wood. If you are looking for cheap glass check with your local reno contractors and see if you can get the old windows. Also it would not hurt to check with local glass shops. ( The old double glazed windows that have lost their seal are sometimes replaced and the originals trashed ) Conider getting gas pistons for the ventillation windows this way you can set them to open at certain temps automatically. Up here I recomend a "mud room" on the entry way so that in cool (dang cold here) weather you do not chill the plants Good Luck Regards Doug
You can also find some good information at this website (URL removed - see reason for editing). They've got a pretty good list of free greenhouse plans listed.
