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I need an advice as to what to look for when purchasing a portable greenhouse for the balcony. I am planning to move some of my Hoyas outside for the summer. My balcony is facing east and I have a full sun there from sunrise until around 1-2 pm. I looked online and there are many choices to pick from but which one is the best for Hoyas? (Light green covering, dark green, clear….). I guess, I need one with a high sun protection so it won’t burn the leaves?!
I would appreciate any advice.
Thank you in advance!
Olesya, I have a lot of experience with using small greenhouses, and while it can be done, it is not that easy. Unless you are at home 24/7 to open one of those greenhouses up, you could cook your plants in less than an hour. I have two greenhouses in my yard and they are in the shade most of the time, and even with those conditions I need a lot of controls to kick on misters and exhaust fans to make them function well. You might do better at least where you live to look into setting up greenhouse shade netting and put your plants under that for the few months when you can count on temps to stay above 50°F at night.
Name: Carol Noel Hawaii (near Hilo) It's all about choices.
Is there a reason why you can't just put the hoyas outside during the summer? Your summers are nice and warm...the nights cool off a bit, right? Most hoyas can take full sun except for the very strong light between about 11 - 2 when they will start to look really raggy. If you rigged a shade cloth at that time, it would be fine. NO air circulation will harm them... Check the Temperature Tolerance chart which might help with your nighttime temps....but as I remember from living on the eastern seaboard, the nights don't get that cool.
Doug and I posted at the same time.... What he says!!!!
Doug and Carol Thank you very much for your advice. I see what you mean and totally understand now. The sun is very strong on my balcony side...very strong during the day in the summer time, so I need some kind of coverage. So, the best way to get my plants outside is to create some kind of shade for them...So, let me check into this now. Maybe I can come up with some sun protection....without shade coverage the plants will burn in 5 minutes. Thank you! Thank you to both of you!!!
Olesya if you live near a lowes,you can buy shade cloth by the foot or by a package.I have gotten a few packages myself over the last couple years.It comes in different colors so you may be able to get a color that goes with your home.
Name: Carol Noel Hawaii (near Hilo) It's all about choices.
Your hoyas can all take direct sun (unless it is also reflected from a background intensifying it's punch/heat) until about 1100 when the direct rays will burn. Airflow is important...they shouldn't be in a sun 'trap'. So a shade that can knock that direct hit down a notch, say to 60% or 70% is preferable. You should get great coloration in the leaves!!!! You might enjoy spraying them down after that hottest blast of sun time....automatic misting/spraying shouldn't be hard...enough to cool the plant down but recover before the cooler night....IF it gets coolish at night.
Cindy, do you know what it's called, so I can look it up online first? I have actually a few of Lowe's and HomeDepot's in my area. Thank you!
Carol, the direct sun is from sunrise until probably 2pm in the summer on my balcony side....it's crazy hot. Believe me...it's hot. I need to create some kind of 'roof' and 1 side to protect the plants - not all around, just the beaming scorching heat side. I am at work all day long...so, if anything, I won't be able to come home and get them inside, plus, I commute to work (near NYC) and it will take me some time to get home too. So, I understand that they plants could probably take the heat....but I would sit at work and worry about them... I rather 'build' them a shade on my side.
Also, I was thinking to buy natural bamboo fence (from Lowe's or Homedepot, I forgot where I saw it) and attach it on my side of my balcony and then maybe a porch umbrella for the top... it will have some sun coming in, plus, air flow, and the porch umbrella will protect from strong storms, because my plants are still babies...
Name: Carol Noel Hawaii (near Hilo) It's all about choices.
Great sounding idea!!! Yes, that bamboo slatting that is sold in rolls, I believe is great! But be sure the shade isn't too dense. They really light the high indirect light!!! and airflow. You can use any kind of 'meshed' material for the top to provide shade during the hottest direct sun: even window screens or the bags that onions come in.....
Sounds like your plants are going to have a wonderful summer Olesya! A perfect little shade area for them
I, on the other hand, suffered a power outage last night Temps below zero and no heat in my greenhouse
I checked the heater was back on at 6 this morning...and it's now a case of wait and see. It usually takes a few days before you see any damage.
My indoor plants ahould be fine - so should the ones in the porch, even without the heater on (hopefully)
fingers are crossed...
Exactly Carol, the ones in rolls (bamboo fence). I looked at them online yesterday. They are not too expensive and will give a natural look to my little 'habitat'. I am still not 100% sure what I am going to do for the top....I will look into this "meshed" material that you mentioned. Thank you for the advice as always!!
Julie, I feel bad for you. I know how it feels. I was out of power for 6 days when Sandy hit NJ. Even thought, it was in October, it was VERY cold. I lost only 1 plant in that cold. So, let me know how your plants are....
All of us cold climate gardeners are just one good power outage away from disaster. Hopefully your plants will be fine Julie! Positive thoughts and fingers crossed for you.
ogolland wrote: I was out of power for 6 days when Sandy hit NJ. Even thought, it was in October, it was VERY cold. I lost only 1 plant in that cold. So, let me know how your plants are....
Wow - that fills me with optimism
I've been too afraid to venture out to the GH tonight, as its very frosty, and I don't want to open the door!
I know Doug...in cold climate you have to be prepared for everything. We've been having storms every October for the past 6 years now where we lost power for 3+ days...So, I have to be prepared for this October.
Yes, hopefully your plants are fine Julie.
AlohaHoya wrote:Even if the leaves look like toast, do you check the roots? Can you put them in a warm place (extra warm).?
unfortunately, no where is extra-warm at the moment
My greenhouse also houses my very large propagator that I use for over wintering warm growers and babies that aren't well established, as it has a heat mat too.
A few weeks ago, one of the lacunosas on a window sill inside the house got 'frosted' on two branches. I think a cold draught winging up the stairs did it. And that was in my house!!!
Temps are barely due above freezing for the rest of the week, which isn't so bad. It when it gets VERY cold that I struggle to keep them all warm!
I will check the roots on any that look frost-damaged tho. Theres always hope!
Temps below zero and no heat in my greenhouse 
