Bonsai Greenhouse: Growing Trees Inside Enclosed Spaces

If you are thinking of getting a bonsai, then the thought of nurturing it may also come to your mind. A greenhouse is an excellent way to do that. If the idea of growing bonsai trees inside enclosed spaces is new to you, you’ve come to the right place! 

Greenhouses are structured rooms that have transparent glass surrounding them. They have an abundance of carbon dioxide inside them, which leads to the growth of plants all year round. Even in the winter, bonsais can easily grow inside them.

There are many useful hacks that can help your bonsai plants grow to their fullest potential. If you want to know how to take care of your bonsai in a greenhouse throughout the year, stick around till the end!

Is It Possible To Grow Bonsai In A Greenhouse? 

Yes, it is possible to grow bonsai in a greenhouse. It will protect your bonsai from extreme sunlight and excessive wind during winter. Greenhouses also provide a safe place for your bonsai from squirrels and small insects.

Not only that, but they also add beauty and visual effects to your greenhouses. You won’t have to rush to your garden during rainy days as greenhouses will also shield your bonsai from storms. 

So yes, it is possible to grow your bonsai in a greenhouse, but you have to remember that, like all plants, your bonsai will wither and eventually die despite putting them in the best environment. It is important to remember this before you begin growing your bonsai in a greenhouse.

How Can You Build A Bonsai Greenhouse?

Bonsai can be grown in a greenhouse in a variety of methods. However, it is important to use the most effective methods. I’ve listed the most essential stages for growing your bonsai in a greenhouse below.

Spot Selection

It is very important to choose the appropriate location before building your greenhouse. This is necessary especially if you are building it from scratch. You should select a place that gets the perfect amount of sunshine.

You also have to make sure that the place has a good drainage system so that the water can pass through when you are watering your plants. 

Check if your greenhouse is in a location where it faces south as it is considered the best spot for growing plants. Also, make sure to pick a spot where there is the presence of an open sky so that your bonsai can conduct photosynthesis.

You will also need to ensure that your area has access to water and electricity. However, make sure that the water is not seeping into the electrical outlets or gadgets. Otherwise, you can end up getting an electric shock, which can lead to serious health risks.

Good Foundation

If the foundation on which you are building your greenhouse is not strong enough, your greenhouse may become weak with time. You can start by leveling the site of your greenhouse. This will help ensure that the foundation is stable.

If the area you live in is cold most of the time, then you should place your foundations at the bottom of the greenhouse. It would be even better if you could insulate them.

The proper material is a must-have for the foundation of your greenhouse. You can choose poured concrete and ground contact-rated wood for the best placement of your foundation.

Frame Placement 

A frame is extremely important for your greenhouse because it gives it the balance needed for a cover. You can use lumber, aluminum, or PVC pipes for building a frame for your bonsai greenhouse. 

If you use a wooden greenhouse, it will look nice, but water and humidity can cause the wood to decay. Thus, you should use rot-resistant wood for the frame. You can use cedar for this purpose.

The Perfect Covering

A good covering for your bonsai greenhouse is essential because it will help your greenhouse fight against harsh weather conditions. You can use many different materials for this purpose. I’d recommend you use a UV-resistant polycarbonate sheet in this regard.

It lasts a long time and is not as heavy as glass. It is also relatively inexpensive. On top of it, it can trap heat inside the house, which is ideal for your bonsai during rainy weather conditions. 

The perfect covering will allow your greenhouse to protect the plants from scorching sunlight. If you want you can also build the greenhouse out of glass which is one of the most common ways to build a greenhouse these days.

Taking Care Of Your Bonsai During Different Seasons In A Greenhouse

There are many ways to look after your bonsai plants in a greenhouse. But the correct temperature during different seasons is absolutely essential when securing the health of your bonsai.

This is important even if your greenhouse is transparent and gives enough natural light. You still need to adjust the setting of your greenhouse so that your bonsai does not develop diseases during harsh weather conditions.

The perfect temperature for your greenhouse depends on whether or not the weather is cool or hot.

If the weather is on the warmer side then you need to cool down the temperature in your greenhouse a bit. I would suggest using roof vents for this purpose. They are cheap and easily available. 

You will notice that roof vents provide easy airflow, which will give your bonsai plenty of breathing capacity. Usually, many roof vents are built into the greenhouse. If you are building your greenhouse from scratch, then check if you can have a roof vent installed.

If you do not already have one in your greenhouse then you can put a hole in the door to let the cold air in. But you should always remember to put a lid on your door hole to stop the harsh wind during the wintertime.

You can even use a cooling fan if you do not have an already fitted vent in our greenhouse. Nowadays many portable cooling fans are available to ensure that your plants have the most convenient atmosphere during the summer months.

If you do not want a high electric bill due to the portable cooling fans then, go for shade cloth. This is a cloth that you can put over your greenhouse windows to cool down the temperature. 

As for the winter months, you have to ensure that your bonsai gets enough heat. If you live in a place where it snows a lot, then invest in an electric heater. This will ensure your bonsai stays warm throughout the cold weather with the wind, snow, or even rain. 

If you think that your heater is giving too much warmth then you can easily adjust the settings to choose the new temperature. Many heaters these days even allow you to choose a fixed temperature where it will automatically turn off once it reaches the temperature.

This is a great idea not just for growing your bonsai but for many off-season plants in your greenhouse.

Conclusion

By now, you should know how to look after your bonsai in a greenhouse. I hope this article helped you learn that even if a greenhouse is an enclosed space, bonsai can still thrive inside it. 

Growing a bonsai in a greenhouse will not only help you develop bonsai gardening skills, but will also allow you to get closer to nature. Thank you for taking the time to read this!