Winter Garden in the apartment with his hands

   In the winter garden is very old story: in Russia, he appeared in the 18th century, and the first ever winter garden created in Italy in the 14th century. Historians claim that the first similar structure created by ancient Egyptians, they grew a variety of exotic plants in special rooms with elementary system of irrigation, so the nobles could admire the blooming all year round. In the 16th century in Europe, the so-called built of orange houses, designed for growing citrus trees. Now from a luxury conservatories have become a necessity - because everyone wants to have in his apartment piece of summer.


   How to create a cozy winter garden in the apartment with his hands and we will talk in this article. For this fit gazebo or room that is most illuminated.

Winter garden - not just a decoration, but also tangible health benefits. Plants reduce the amount of airborne bacteria and harmful microorganisms due allocated phytoncids. It is a natural green filter to purify the air of dust, carcinogenic and toxic substances. In addition, the process of photosynthesis release oxygen greenery and light ions, which have a beneficial effect on people.

Before you make a winter garden, you need to consider which side it will come out. If the room is oriented to the north, it would be worse to store solar energy, it will be possible to impose only shade-tolerant plants (Aspidistra, Monstera, philodendron and others). In the southern room and plants, and relax in the winter garden of the people will be simply uncomfortable. Under direct sunlight warms the air sometimes up to 70-80 degrees, will have to look for additional air-conditioning system and installing blinds.

Eastern orientation favorable to the winter garden plants, there is no danger of overheating the room, but the sun peeps here in the first half of the day. Western orientation garden is most preferred, in which the garden is pleasant to rest throughout the day. If the balcony to the sunny side, for the protection of plants from direct sun will blind.

Frame construction, heating and ventilation for the winter garden

If the winter garden will be located in the annex building (and it is important for owners of apartments on the first floor), you should think about its design. The main requirement for such gardens - 20% of the floor area shall be opened. Carcass of a winter garden should be strong to support the weight of the glazing, it should have good thermal insulation properties, it can be aluminum or laminated board. The glazing is to choose windows with a mirror-coated and low-E glass. The roof should have an angle of inclination of about 45 degrees. It is desirable, in addition to the main ventilation on the balcony often open a window or climatic hatches.


   Before you settle green plants on the balcony, you need to take care of heating. Heating in the winter garden can be done in different ways: by means of steam, water, or electricity. If was large, it is recommended to use a combination of two types of heating systems, such as water and electric.

Water heating, which consists of the registers, set the perimeter wall and connected to a common heating system. As an additional source of heating system can be used "warm floor", variations of which there are many.


   Equally important is the ventilation in the winter garden, because even in a room that is well-heated, often condensation. To avoid this, you need to consider for effective ventilation.

Natural ventilation can be achieved by horizontal holes to feed cold air at the bottom of the balcony and small windows to display the hot humid air, which is located on the slope of the roof. If the room has a large area, in addition to natural ventilation can be set compulsory system, which will be responsible for the circulation of air throughout the year. The optimum temperature for plant growth - 20 degrees, the humidity - 40-60%.

Coverage of the winter garden

At the design stage of the winter garden owner should at least be thought about what plants he wants to put out there. Often herbs and flowers do not have enough daylight, so there is a need or an artificial light source. Plants need all three components of the radiation: the daily duration, intensity and spectral composition of the radiation. For conservatories do not fit conventional bulbs, they are not the best spectral composition and the large amounts of heat, which can cause burns sensitive plant leaves.

    
 
   The second option - is fluorescent lighting: the owner and energy saving, and the plants will have enough heat and powerful light output. However, when using such lamps gradually lose brightness, flicker, which can not annoy people who have decided to have a rest in a green area. For some time to illuminate conservatories began to use LED lamps, metal halide lamps, they are harmless to plants, stimulate growth and flowering, so is quite a good choice for a home-made conservatory.

Irrigation system in the winter garden

Plants can be watered in different ways: from a watering can or hose connecting thin directly to the water supply. But there are some unspoken rules: first - To defend the water, it is the safest for reforestation, the second - a certain temperature, not all plants can easily withstand temperature changes, and if you water them with cold water that flows from our taps in winter , it is likely they will get sick and wither.

To combine these processes can install a small drip irrigation system, which will monitor the condition of the plant. Such systems have sensors that monitor the moisture level of the soil and air, automation itself determines the amount of water and frequency of watering for a particular plant.

Plant selection and design of the winter garden

Of varieties of plants for the winter garden of special restrictions. In their selection must take into account the climatic preferences, the need for light and moisture. In one garden can coexist quite successfully dracaena, Monstera, coffee and citrus trees, ferns, agapanthus, oleander, fig trees, cacti, mosses, arborvitae, cryptomerias. Also popular abutilony, Gloriosa, hibiscus, begonias, passion fruit, rhododendrons, begonias, birds of paradise, Columna.

It is advisable to place flowers and plants zonal - in one zone put plants close in terms of content in order to ease the task of caring for them. Winter garden - it is a miracle, because you can grow plants from around the world: so in your home can stay original pairs that can not be found in nature - for example, bonsai and orchids.

   The next stage - the grouping of plants, it must comply with the surrounding environment. Large specimens are beautiful look one by one, they are suitable for spacious rooms. Small plants should be located on a decorative shelf or window sill. Trees with beautiful leaves always look better alone, but the little flowers can be grouped.

Winter Garden - a place not only for the growth of all kinds of trees, but also the rest of the family. Only depends on you what elements of decor will be there. For example, a small pond, aquarium or a mini-waterfall. This background will complement the exquisite conservatory. To create the decor is better to use artificial stone - it is very similar to the natural, but it weighs much less, and in fact need to take into account the additional load on the balcony slab. Also worth in advance to take care of waterproofing elements of the decor and floor. If you want to put on the balcony garden furniture, choose the materials resistant to moisture, though most plants like high humidity, which can affect the appearance of wicker or soft furnishings.

That's how you can create with his hands in his apartment winter garden - a real green oasis that will delight you all year round.