Raised cold frames… ok for hardy cacti?

[ianstrutt]

Hi all, I’m in a position where I’m struggling for room indoors but there’s realistically no way I can put a greenhouse anywhere. I’ve got a space ~2x1 metres on a patio that I’d like to do something with. Does anyone have any experience with something like this setup?

https://www.robertdyas.co.uk/vegtrug-co ... bnEALw_wcB

A lot of cold frames I’ve found have uv protective glass/plastic and/or wooden sides. Presumably this is a bit of a no-no for cacti?

Thanks for any input, it’s much appreciated!

Ian

[Patrick]

For sure something like that can work, as long as you can prop the lid open securely for ventilation, I started with something even simpler

[el48tel]

That's a really good idea.

[edds]

Two West's do a version too,
https://www.twowests.co.uk/products/the ... wjEALw_wcB

You might also want to consider a mini greenhouse if your space is next to a wall for even more space!
https://www.twowests.co.uk/collections/ ... ic-lean-to

A lot more expensive unfortunately but there are cheaper options than Two West's but they generally have very good quality products that will cope with heavy pots of succulents.

[FredG]

How about acquiring a small second hand greenhouse (often given away free if you dismantle and take away) and cut it down to size?
You'd be paying yourself £484 for doing the work. ( Apologies for using the 4 letter word)

[edds]

How about acquiring a small second hand greenhouse (often given away free if you dismantle and take away) and cut it down to size?
You'd be paying yourself £484 for doing the work. ( Apologies for using the 4 letter word)

That is a brilliant idea Fred. I was contemplating buying a cold frame for this winter (as I need some more space!) but that is a much better idea!

[el48tel]

How about acquiring a small second hand greenhouse (often given away free if you dismantle and take away) and cut it down to size?
You'd be paying yourself £484 for doing the work. ( Apologies for using the 4 letter word)

True.
Neighbour has one for disposal a month or so ago.
Nobody could be bothered to dismantle and take it away. I don't have space otherwise it would have come over the road.

[habanerocat]

I starter out with a discarded canteen cake/food display unit mounted up against the back wall of the house. Electric heater supply came easily through the wall. Turned backwards with the sliding doors to the front. Served me well to start with and I still use it now inside my greenhouse for germinating seeds.

[Paul in Essex]

Def. worth keeping an eye out in places like Gumtree. Currently for sale for just £35 in N Essex a 2.6m 4 bay glass one. If i didn't already have enough cold frame space I'd have been all over this:

https://www.gumtree.com/p/greenhouse/al ... 1434694436

[ianstrutt]

Two West's do a version too,
https://www.twowests.co.uk/products/the ... wjEALw_wcB

You might also want to consider a mini greenhouse if your space is next to a wall for even more space!
https://www.twowests.co.uk/collections/ ... ic-lean-to

A lot more expensive unfortunately but there are cheaper options than Two West's but they generally have very good quality products that will cope with heavy pots of succulents.

These are lovely, nicest ones I’ve seen. Still erring towards a couple of those raised cold frames rather than the taller ‘greenhouse’. Thanks for your post.

I hadn’t even considered buying second hand. As nice as a greenhouse would be, I just don’t have the room for one without some major work in the garden. I’ll keep an eye out on fb marketplace for something that will fit in the space(s) I have available.