Hortihood/ culticave/blowaways

[More basil]

Hello,

Has anyone tried either hortihood or culticave pop up greenhouses. If so, what did you make of them? Are they tall enough for tomatoes? And are they any better than the usual plastic blowaway greenhouses? I can't put up a more permanent structure where I live and am hoping against hope to find something that will last more than a season before the plastic cover deteriorates. It will live on a large sheltered west facing patio and is meant to house the usual suspects- toms, aubs, chillies, cus and basil.

I am trying to make my mind up about whether to go for the cheapest in the knowledge that it won't last more than a season (but hate waste!) or spend a bit more on something that may just last a bit longer.

[Bren In Pots]

MoreBasil I've found an older thread about the Culticave it might be useful to you :-

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ved_64403.html

[WPG]

More basil, I used to have one of these culticaves
CULTI-CAVE

It had enough floor space for 4 large grow bags, and in the first year I grew 12 tomato plants in it, including the tall Gardeners Delight. Have to say, the tomatoes did really well, and when the temperature got too hot there was a zip-on mesh door to cool it down.
But it only lasted two seasons - the wind ripped the seams, and the whole thing more or less disintegrated. To be fair, I had put it on my very exposed plot, so it would've fared better with shelter.

[sparrow100]

I have had a culticave for 2 seasons now, set up in the middle of my plot, so not very sheltered and it has been great. The guy ropes have held up against everything bar foxes (bit through 2 ropes) and while the side struts have gone through the webbing on the side, the plastic has held up very well - no tears or holes.

I have had tomatoes in there, but it's not really tall enough for cordons. I've put in some mini-staging from a small blowaway and use it for my chillies and a couple of tumbling toms, as well as keeping my seedlings safe early in the season.

[More basil]

Thank you all! They do sound better than the standard ones. I will email the manufacturers and ask if they give any kind of warranty on the covers and update this thread. Hmm, yes, I have plenty of staging from blowaways so could easily use that for some shelves and support.

The tent like structure reminds me of camping in the wilds of Sweden as a kid when the conditions were a bit rough- in terms of wind resistance it seems to make much more sense than the traditional boxy blow away design

UPDATE:
For info: had friendly, prompt email from manufacturers of culticave. They give a one year warranty and they say that the pvc is treated with an UV stabilising chemical (didn't ask for details) which they say will make the cover last much longer than the standard blowaway covers.

[Spunky]

More basil have you thought of making a small pollytunnel out of 4x2 and mdpe plastic pipe? The structure would last for years and you only have to replace the plastic

[More basil]

Interesting idea, Spunky. I am not the world's most practical person but the idea does appeal. I just hate wasting poor quality staging, plastic etc every year. It would have to live on the patio though so not sure how well I could secure it. Will have a think. What type of plastic would you use for cover?

[Spunky]

I'm lucky enough to pinch what I use at work lol so I couldn't tell you exactly but I'd imagine any heavy duty clear plastic would work, hopefully someone else can give you advice
Have you heard of hoop cloches? Thats all it is with plastic wrapped round, the pipe costs about a pound a metre from screwfix you're 4x2 which would have to be treated would about 2-3 quid a metre then you're plastic a few screws and some roofing batten or similar which is about 75p per metre
Personally I wouldn't buy that culticave for nearly 50 quid 20 maybe but you could do a lot better if you want to spend 50

[sparrow100]

The DIY option sounds good. You can also get culticaves for half price if you keep an eye out.