Why Are The Desert Plants On The West Side Of The Greenhouse

Last Updated on February 4, 2022 by Griselda M.

So why are the desert plants on the west side of the greenhouse? Can you put them on the south or north? If you are running a greenhouse, you should know the best location for your desert plants like succulents.

While deciding on a greenhouse is very simple, it comes with many considerations. Among these are the location of your plants, varieties of plants, and where you should place your greenhouse. Proper greenhouse placement is likely your most important in growing healthy plants. Read on to find out how to site your greenhouse and arrange your plants correctly.

The Best Location For Greenhouse

Before deciding where to put your greenhouse, finalize the list of plants that you are going to put inside your greenhouse. If you are a home grower, you might want to try on decorative plants for amusement or you can plant some vegetables or herbs. However, if you wish to start a business, you need to have a larger greenhouse to accommodate everything.  

The size of your greenhouse basically dictates its location and the type of plants you want to plant. A smaller greenhouse doesn’t require too much space, which means you can simply place it in your backyard garden. A larger greenhouse may need to be placed on an extra lot dedicated solely to growing plants. If you are planting sun-loving plants, it is important for your greenhouse to be located in a sun-exposed area for good lighting.

West Side Greenhouse Orientation To Sun

Sun exposure is crucial for almost all types of plants. The light coming from the sun helps the plants photosynthesize and get some chlorophyll. This is why your plants will appear green and colorful. For best results, do not put your greenhouse directly under trees.

The trees will cast shade and block the sun. When your greenhouse is shaded, it will encourage algae to build up. Falling branches and leaves can cause damage and block guttering.  

Site your greenhouse where there is enough sun exposure. Succulents need to be exposed to at least 4-6 hours of sunlight. That means, building a greenhouse on the west-facing location will save you from buying some grow lights. As you’ll visit your nursery routinely, especially throughout the mid-year, ensure it’s not difficult to get to and as close to the house as could really be expected. 

Regardless of whether your visits are for damping down, every day watering, opening and closing entryways and vents, or simply nipping in to pick a couple of tomatoes for your lunch, you’ll need it to be not far off.

Why Are The Desert Plants On The West Side Of The Greenhouse: Truth Be Told?

As you may know, succulents are sun-loving plants. Most of the succulent varieties come from the South African desert. So, if you are growing them in another location, you need to mimic their natural habitat to get the best plants.

The following are some tips from Pat Rorabaugh, a professor in the School of Plant Sciences/Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (CEAC), to ensure you get the most out of your Greenhouse. 

Read more about: When Succulents Get Too Tall?

Solar Radiation

Since plants require light for photosynthesis, it’s basic to decide how the daylight will reach them. Low light diminishes photosynthesis and causes slow development and products of the soil’s early termination. The outcome is a low yield and poor monetary return. The area of your nursery and the season have a major effect on photosynthesis; areas that don’t get sufficient sunlight-based radiation in the colder time of year will require supplemental lighting.

Pest Pressure

Make sure to either pick a site that is far away from other agrarian creation regions or make a cushion zone between your activity and other creation regions to forestall bother invasion.

Level and Stable Ground

Ensure a sturdy foundation for your greenhouse. Everything should be leveled out correctly. For your plants, it is necessary to have well-draining soil as you are planting succulents.

Of course, every succulent variety may have specific requirements as to the soil. Study how you can grow various succulent varieties in a greenhouse, especially those that are not native to your region. Moreover, the ground should be compacted so it won’t start to settle after the nursery is built.

West Facing Plants

 When it comes to planting succulents, you need to be mindful about where you are going to place them. Ideally, succulents need to be placed on the west-facing side of the greenhouse to give them enough exposure to the light. The following are certain succulents that need to be this way. 

• Phlox
• Tulips
• Roses
• Daffodils
• Campanulas
• Jasmine
• Elderflower

Read more about Why Is My Desert Rose Plant Care For Yellow Leaves?

Should A Greenhouse Be In Full Sun?

So should a greenhouse be in full sun? There are a lot of benefits in establishing your greenhouse in a space where there is direct exposure to sunlight. Moreover, you also need to take note of the following consideration. 

Ventilation

Provider proper air circulation to prevent plants from dying. If your greenhouse has no vents, your plants can suffer in the heat during summer days or cold during the winter. 

Heating

You may need to install a heater to prevent your greenhouse from becoming too cold during the winter season. Without a heater, your plants may freeze. 

Soil

For a greenhouse, fill containers with the right blend of soil. Using ordinary common garden soil would be a disaster for your plants. Make sure the soil is compact and well-draining. This helps preserve roots and prevent root rot. 

Fertilizers

The best fertilizers for succulents are organic ones. Some other succulents may not need fertilizers at all. If you a great soil, you can still grow beautiful succulents. Again, the main key is to control your watering frequency to ensure they don’t rot. 

Again, if you want to ask why are the desert plants on the west side of the greenhouse? The best answer is that succulents need a lot of sunlight. But if you want your plants to last long, you also need to have the proper combination of all the elements needed to run your greenhouse – soil, temperature, and proper greenhouse location. 

Read more about: How Big Do Succulents Grow?