Greenhouses were invented to create a vegetable garden or plant garden in extreme temperature conditions.Inside the greenhouse, plants receive an appropriate amount of humidity and warm temperatures needed to grow as healthy as possible. Initially, during the 17th century, greenhouses were made of wood or bricks.The roof panels were mostly comprised of bricks. The room had a window that created a warmer air flow inside. Eventually, during the 18th century, prices of glass became cheaper. So instead of wood or brick, glass was used to make a greenhouse. Due to this reason, greenhouses are also known as glasshouses. Even though greenhouses were available from the 18th century, the emergence of the growing environment was noticed in the 19th century.England saw a rush in the increase of greenhouse structures among its people due to extreme temperature conditions outside. Greenhouses provided proper ventilation by generating warm temperatures for tropical plants in extremely colder and hotter climatic zones. Greenhouses could be of different kinds. Therefore, the shapes and sizes of greenhouses may differ.The different sizes include a span-type structure, a doubled sloped greenhouse, or a greenhouse with an A-shaped roof. Span-type structures could be of both even and uneven structures. Ridge, furrow, and saw-type structures are also common in western countries. Quonset, interlocking ridges, and furrow-type Quonset greenhouse are a few of the recent shapes of these greenhouses. Few greenhouses can be seen having a single roof and leaning. The difference in sizes is responsible for the differences in the temperatures in different greenhouses.What is a greenhouse?Greenhouses, which are alternatively known as glasshouses, are made to preserve plants within them. The major motive for building a greenhouse is to protect a certain category of plants from the extreme temperature conditions outside. Greenhouses help humans to grow and nurture plants in warm conditions when the outside temperature does not permit that.Greenhouses are made to provide specific environmental conditions for a few special plants. These plants are called greenhouse plants. There are different temperatures that could be suitable for a variety of plants. The night temperature inside of greenhouses is considered to be very crucial for the survival of plants. Cool greenhouses have an average temperature of about 45–50°F (7–10°C).For the warm greenhouses, temperatures may be around 50–55°F (10–13°C). The temperature of most greenhouses in tropical areas may rise to 60–70°F (16–21°C). Maintaining a suitable temperature is necessary for providing a suitable life for plants in the greenhouse. Plants that grow in a cool greenhouse include carnations, fuchsias, geraniums, snapdragons, sweet peas, azaleas, and cyclamens.Flowers like tulips, daffodils, hyacinth, and narcissi are also grown in traditionally cool greenhouses. Plants suitable for growing in a warm greenhouse include begonias, gloxinias, African violets, chrysanthemums, roses, orchids, and coleuses. A few varieties of ferns and cacti can also be nurtured and grown in these warm climatic conditions. Tropical greenhouses, also known as hothouses, may grow plants and flowers like philodendrons, poinsettias, bougainvillea, passionflowers, and gardenias. Orchids are also able to be grown in these tropical houses.How does a greenhouse work?The idea of a house made of wood or glass that can nurture plants is certainly fascinating. The science behind making a greenhouse work is unique and is adapted by millions of people to grow greenhouse plants conveniently.Greenhouses were made to provide suitable conditions for plants to grow inside the house when the temperatures outside could be challenging for plants. In colder places, few plants can thrive properly in normal climatic conditions. Greenhouses were made to provide a comparatively warmer temperature for convenient plant growth. When the sun shines during the day, the sunlight reaches plants through the cold frames of the greenhouse. This sunlight provides a warmer greenhouse environment to the growing plants in the greenhouse.During the nighttime, even though the atmosphere outside the greenhouse could be challenging for most plants to grow and survive, the temperature inside the greenhouse is not. At night, the greenhouse remains warm. This is due to the trapping of sunlight. During the day, when the sun comes out and provides sunlight to the greenhouse, the house traps this heat. The heat gets trapped inside the house and cannot escape back out again. At night, even when the temperature falls outside, it remains comparatively warmer inside the greenhouse. Following this simple method, good ventilation and supplemental lighting are provided to the growing plants and crops inside the house.The Benefits Of GreenhousesGreenhouses were made to grow plants inside the house that cannot be grown outdoors due to extreme temperatures. So, we can say that these houses help extend the growing season of many crops and greenhouse plants. Apart from this, houses have multiple benefits to plants and the environment in general.A greenhouse gardener can plant, grow and enjoy fresh vegetables throughout the year. These vegetables will be fresh and organic without any added chemicals. This gardening is not only good for the mind but the body as well. Another benefit is the success rate of planting a plant in the greenhouse garden. Due to easy transplant availability, plants that are planted in the garden have the highest rate of surviving. As we can regulate the heat inside the house and provide them with proper nutrition, most of the plants are known to have survived in the greenhouse.Due to the expansion of the growing season, fresh flowers and vegetables can be found during off-seasons as well. Apart from plants, the greenhouse also provides a warm place for people amidst the cold weather outside, which is a great way for people to connect. The greenhouse ensures the safety of the plants from animals like squirrels and insects. Most importantly, the humidity inside the garden allows people to grow plants that would not be possible for them to grow outside.The Disadvantages Of GreenhousesGardening within the greenhouse can be an extraordinary way to enjoy the smell of early summer or early spring. But we must keep in mind that greenhouses have their advantages and disadvantages. On one hand, this method provides fresh fruits and vegetables, while on the other hand, it carries a few disadvantages as well.One of the main disadvantages of gardening in a greenhouse is the trapped gas. As we know, the system of the greenhouse works with trapped gases as it provides warmth to plants when the outside weather cannot. The sun provides the light in the morning, which enters the house. We know that plants release carbon dioxide. The heat and the gas combine to keep the room warm even during the absence of the sun. So, the major component of this gas is carbon dioxide.The gas that keeps the temperature warm inside, on the other hand, hampers the environment. These gases are trapped inside the house by the glass to keep these houses warm. Similarly, when the carbon dioxide is released from the greenhouse, it cannot escape from the surface of the earth, which in return increases the temperature of the planet. Larger greenhouses will release a larger amount of gas. This effect occurs even with the best greenhouses as well. This effect is known as the ‘greenhouse effect,’ which leads to global warming. Apart from this, building a greenhouse and maintaining the greenhouse kit could be really expensive. Whether one chooses to heat or cool the greenhouse, the expenses behind that could be huge. Also, keeping the greenhouse in check and nurturing all of the plants require constant attention and monitoring.Although warmth is required for plants, excessive heating or cooling could be worse for these plants. Constant monitoring is expected in order to keep the heat and the plants in check. Due to the close ambiance of the greenhouse, plants are deprived of the facility of pollination. The closed walls of the house do not allow any insect or pollinating agent to enter the house. Unfortunately, due to this reason, plants can never multiply on their own. They would have to be planted manually by us. Apart from that, the entire process is considered to be expensive. Along with the expenses of a greenhouse, the entire process can also add to your water and electricity bill.
Greenhouses were invented to create a vegetable garden or plant garden in extreme temperature conditions.
