Zath
Enthusiastic Enthusiast
I know there are a hundred threads about all the different setups and terrariums, a lot of which have a lot of great ideas and potential. Yet not every set-up is going to work under every condition.
Here's the issue I'm going to run into this winter, whether I like it or not, and it may become a limiting factor on the plants I can grow unless I can figure out a reliable way of circumventing it.
Problem: I live in a rural area in a house which experiences frequent power outages in cold weather, ranging anywhere from a few hours to a few days. I'm far enough away from a highway (and on a hilly and twisting road with a cliff on one side) that if there's more than a few inches of snow, I could be unable to leave the house for days.
(part 2 of problem): Even when the power is on, our heating unit simply cannot keep up with the house on extremely cold days, and the upstairs can drop drastically.
The solution I need is something enclosed, with an efficient heating system, and it needs to be somewhat mobile, in case the power DOES go off for a few days, and I need to huddle my tropicals near a fireplace or propane heater to keep the room temp. above 45.
My house is wonderful...for the view...not so much for growing awesome carnivorous plants. At any rate, I'm not looking for a step-by-step guide, but more just ideas thrown out that I can further look into. I already have some things in mind, but I'd like to get some different opinions, and I might ultimately come up with something better, or something I wouldn't have thought of by myself.
If it makes any difference, I can't spend too too much money on any one piece of equipment (other than planning to buy a small gas-generator before Fall). That's why I'm trying to come up with something now, so that I can piecemeal the final cost over a few months.
The plants I will need to be keeping warm and on a photoperiod will be a couple intermediate Neps, sundews, utrics, and some seedlings that won't be needing a dormancy yet.
Thanks to anyone who responds for their consideration.
Here's the issue I'm going to run into this winter, whether I like it or not, and it may become a limiting factor on the plants I can grow unless I can figure out a reliable way of circumventing it.
Problem: I live in a rural area in a house which experiences frequent power outages in cold weather, ranging anywhere from a few hours to a few days. I'm far enough away from a highway (and on a hilly and twisting road with a cliff on one side) that if there's more than a few inches of snow, I could be unable to leave the house for days.
(part 2 of problem): Even when the power is on, our heating unit simply cannot keep up with the house on extremely cold days, and the upstairs can drop drastically.
The solution I need is something enclosed, with an efficient heating system, and it needs to be somewhat mobile, in case the power DOES go off for a few days, and I need to huddle my tropicals near a fireplace or propane heater to keep the room temp. above 45.
My house is wonderful...for the view...not so much for growing awesome carnivorous plants. At any rate, I'm not looking for a step-by-step guide, but more just ideas thrown out that I can further look into. I already have some things in mind, but I'd like to get some different opinions, and I might ultimately come up with something better, or something I wouldn't have thought of by myself.
If it makes any difference, I can't spend too too much money on any one piece of equipment (other than planning to buy a small gas-generator before Fall). That's why I'm trying to come up with something now, so that I can piecemeal the final cost over a few months.
The plants I will need to be keeping warm and on a photoperiod will be a couple intermediate Neps, sundews, utrics, and some seedlings that won't be needing a dormancy yet.
Thanks to anyone who responds for their consideration.