Author Topic: Greenhouse Cleaning (Read 10499 times)

grogan197 · « **on:** February 08, 2009, 20:53:13 »

I need some help deciding what best to use to clean out my greenhouse before I start sowing.

It has sat for about 5 years and had brambles and all sorts take over. I have chopped all these back now and will spray them in late spring so they don't come back. Where the brambles were against the windows in the greenhouse it has got some dark spots of moldy looking stuff. I have used diluted bleach to clean a few of the panes.

I'm wondering what the best thing to use to kill off any fungus that might be lurking ready to spread to any new plants. I have heard jeyes fluid does a good job but to be honest I can't stand the smell and would prefer to use something that won't kill off all the spiders residing in there at the moment.

The greenhouse is about 2000ft² so something that isn't going to take an age to clean with or cost the earth would be good.

Thanks

tonybloke · « **Reply #1 on:** February 08, 2009, 21:07:23 »

whatever you use ain't gonna do the wildlife any favours!! to be honest, soft soap (not washing-up liquid) and a soft brush is about as good as it gets, followed with a Sulphur Candle to kill of any fungus. post some photies of progress, you've got me interested in your exploits!! ;) ;D ;D ;D

grannyjanny · « **Reply #2 on:** February 08, 2009, 21:24:11 »

I've got some Growing Success, natures disinfectant. It says effective against a wide range of bacterial & fungal diseases.
Janet

manicscousers · « **Reply #3 on:** February 08, 2009, 21:37:50 »

we use warm water, washing up liquid and vinegar, works a treat ;D

terrier · « **Reply #4 on:** February 08, 2009, 21:38:28 »

For cleaning glass, neat bleach on a sponge/cloth, don't dilute it (make sure you use protective gloves). As for the rest of it if you don't want to use disinfectant or other chemicals, soft soap as tonybloke says and lots of fresh air. You could try a vinegar/garlic spray(spiders are pretty tough) and there's plenty more spiders and bugs where they came from. If you are going to use a sulphur candle, keep well out of the way of the fumes, they are lethal. A lot of people have told me they've tried sulphur candles and they don't have much effect, as I havn't tried them myself I keep an open mind but they're great for storing apples, pears, etc.

Sorry Manic, I think we cross posted there :)

saddad · « **Reply #5 on:** February 08, 2009, 22:09:25 »

Do Sulphur Candles kill goodies like frogs and toads lurking?

tonybloke · « **Reply #6 on:** February 08, 2009, 22:30:35 »

TBH, I don't know david, I'll do some research at college 2morra! ;)

saddad · « **Reply #7 on:** February 08, 2009, 22:48:07 »

rosebud · « **Reply #8 on:** February 08, 2009, 23:01:50 »

I used a sulphur candle last year it worked a treat. ;D

Barnowl · « **Reply #9 on:** February 09, 2009, 11:19:58 »

I've used both Armillatox and Citrox. The former smells nearly as bad as Jeyes but the latter is actually quite pleasant, though possibly not as strong.

tonybloke · « **Reply #10 on:** February 09, 2009, 16:33:42 »

Quote from: saddad on February 08, 2009, 22:09:25

Do Sulphur Candles kill goodies like frogs and toads lurking?

David, couldn't get a definate answer at college, so, have been on to the manufacturer, and am awaiting a response from their technical chappie! will let you know their response to the hibernating / lurking, frog / toad issue.
rgds, Tony ;)

grogan197 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 09, 2009, 21:55:03 »

Quote from: Barnowl on February 09, 2009, 11:19:58

I've used both Armillatox and Citrox. The former smells nearly as bad as Jeyes but the latter is actually quite pleasant, though possibly not as strong.

Just looked up Citrox on google and it sounds good. Will see if i can get some of that. I got some vinegar today to start oon the windows as suggested earlier. Seems to work fairly well, I'm scrubbing the muck off there first with water and a brush then getting the rest with vinegar on a scouring pad.

Quote from: tonybloke on February 08, 2009, 21:07:23

whatever you use ain't gonna do the wildlife any favours!! to be honest, soft soap (not washing-up liquid) and a soft brush is about as good as it gets, followed with a Sulphur Candle to kill of any fungus. post some photies of progress, you've got me interested in your exploits!! ;) ;D ;D ;D

I took my camera with me today to get some new pics went to take some and realised I hadn't got the memory card! ::)
I'll try again at the weekend. :)

saddad · « **Reply #12 on:** February 09, 2009, 22:28:45 »

Thanks Tony... I'll keep my eyes peeled for the reply :)

tonybloke · « **Reply #13 on:** February 10, 2009, 12:32:07 »

Saddad, this is the response from 'growing success' makers of sulphur candles

Thanks for the interest and enquiry.

I wouldn’t use the Sulphur Candle with amphibians present. Sulphur is a particularly unpleasant substance when fumed into an area and I fear would be too much for the Frogs/Toads to be able to handle. You may well be better off speaking to a company called Agropharm. They specialise in all sorts of fumers and will, I feel sure, have a solution to the problem. Their website: http://www.agropharm.co.uk/.

Hopefully this has helped

Kind regards

Steve

saddad · « **Reply #14 on:** February 10, 2009, 22:49:48 »

Thanks Tony... I felt it might be too strong... I'll have alook at the other place...
:)

flowerofshona2007 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 10, 2009, 23:32:28 »

I use a steam cleaner !!! kills all the nastys but uses no chemicals :)

grogan197 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 15, 2009, 22:34:44 »

Got some citrox greenhouse cleaner. Found a place on the net selling it for 99p a bottle instead of the usual £6! They only had 3 bottles left so took the lot. Have been using it a bit this weekend and seems like good stuff. There's a photo below of the greenhouse and you can see the difference in the windows that have been cleaned compared to the others.

Have got a steam cleaner coming to blast out the crap between the panes and see how that fares at the windows too so will let you know how that works. Thanks for the tip on using one flowerofshona.

Barnowl · « **Reply #17 on:** February 16, 2009, 10:19:52 »

Looks good :)

northener · « **Reply #18 on:** February 16, 2009, 20:03:24 »

I'm going to use a pressure washer i'm hoping it will blast the moss out so i don't have to take the glass out. Grogan they look briiliant what are you planning to grow.

Hosta · « **Reply #19 on:** February 28, 2009, 14:49:57 »

WOW !! Thats some greenhouse !! Good luck with the cleaning.

I have cleaned mine today - gave it a good wash with hot soapy water, rinsed it and them the once over with the lovely Jeyes ! Smells.........clean :-\

Washed all pots and trays too - so am all ready for action :)

.

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Author Topic: Greenhouse Cleaning (Read 10499 times)