Tropical Greenhouse
Tropical Greenhouse at Kew Garden.
Inside the tropical Biome at Eden Project: The covered biomes are constructed from a steel frame and cladding panels made of several layers of thin UV-transparent ETFE film. The resulting cushion acts as a thermal blanket to the structure.
It is entirely possible (though not neccessarily profitable) to grow tropical plants in cold climates using greenhouses. The high temperatures will require good insulation (double/triple glazing or barrier, night-time blanket) as well as some heating. When planning your greenhouse, keep in mind that the tropical atmosphere implies a high moisture environment, and that wood may therefore not be a good building material. The high moisture has other implications, such as for hygiene and potential insect infestations.
What to grow
Tropical fruit trees (e.g. citrus), ylang ylang, jackfruit, mangos, bananas, avocados?
Related Wiki Pages
- Greenhouses and Chinese Greenhouse
- Forest Garden Greenhouse
- Greenhouse Cultivation of Staple Crops
- Eden Project and Pillow Dome
- Kon-Tiki Kiln as possible heat source
Bolivian solar greenhouse ("Walipini"): example of a greenhouse in a very cold climate, although this one is not growing tropical plants.
