Frequently asked questions...

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It's so difficult to control the temperature in a mini greenhouse — isn't a GrowMate likely to scorch my plants?
No. Pyramids are highly effective at generating a chimney draft in hot weather - and the hotter it gets, the more vigorous the up-draft. Added to this, there is constant evaporation of moisture from the integral "raised bed".
When you put these two things together, you have an environment that is "passively self-regulating" to a useful degree. In other words there is generally no need for a thermostatic or other control system.

What about shading. Is it still necessary?
That depends. Some plants can't stand direct sunlight and will require to be shaded in any structure. You may also have a sun-trap in which extreme conditions develop. If shading is indicated for either of these reasons, you can make a simple cover from 8 triangles of netting material sewn together. Cut out the triangles using the door-panel as a template. When fitted, the shade is effective and can look most elegant.

How practical is this product? I can't see how to get in!
Access is a major design feature. One panel is removable and made of clear plastic (polycarbonate) for lightness and safety. When you take it out you can reach in and release a catch that allows the entire canopy to rotate. Simply turn the aperture to where you want to work!

I live in a very exposed site. Can a GrowMate resist high winds?
Here again, the pyramid shape offers great advantages over conventional box-structures since there is very little for the wind to "grab". Modules in use throughout the Western Isles have survived everything thrown at them, as have our own test-modules in a variety of exposed West Highland sites.

Is it possible to raise the level of the unit?
Yes - this question crops up regularly! Sandstone and Fyfestone are popular. You can also use ordinary concrete blocks and face them with quarry tiles. A plinth made from exterior-grade ply with a door-panel can also double as a garden "tidy" in which to keep your trowels, forks and other loose tools.To see illustrations of the possibilities look under "plinths" in the photo gallery.

How easy is the kit to assemble?
If you check the diy assembly section, you'll see a sample of the instructions we provide. They are clear and comprehensive and have been refined over a period of years to take into account all levels of competence. Typically you should be able to erect a GrowMate, fill it with compost and plant it up fully all in an afternoon. (Note; the Micro is factory assembled and ready for use).

What are pyramids most used for?
Almost everything! Many gardeners consider our Standard 5'0" module a viable alternative to a conventional 8'0" x 6'0" 'walk-in' greenhouse. We routinely produce up to 2,000 seedlings or cuttings in a spring season. Later in the year you can switch to fruiting-crops. In colder weather you can clear the clutter from your window-sills and winter your geraniums & fuchsias in perfect safety.
Then there are the many other "alternative" uses. For instance a great many gardeners buy a GrowMate as a major garden feature in its own right. (Take a look in the photo gallery). Other use it as a perfect place in which to grow and display special collections of plants such as alpines and cacti etc.

Isn't a GrowMate too small for fruiting crops like tomatoes?
Not at all.Our largest (5'0") model has yielded up to 700 individual tomato fruits! Details of the techniques used and varieties grown are included in the Manual packed with each module. The exceptional light pick-up within a pyramid promotes rapid ripening of all fruiting crops including strawberries, melons, cucumbers and courgettes etc.

Is it essential to heat a pyramid in cold weather?
Many users winter geraniums and fuchsias using only a simple insulating cover made from bubble plastic. This is highly practical in areas where winter frosts are mild. In colder parts of the country some form of heating should always be considered, otherwise you could be "caught out" and lose valuable plants. Remember too, that heating is essential if you are to propagate early in the season, and running costs are so low that it's nearly always worth having this option available.

What's the best way to heat?
You can use electricity or oil and an output of around 150 watts is adequate for most purposes using our 5'0" dia (Standard) module. A lower output can be used with the Mini & Micro modules.
The advantage with electricity is you can "fit & forget" since the system takes care of itself. Soil warming cables and tube heaters both work well.
If a power supply is unavailable oil is the only practical alternative. Parasene manufactures a small oil heater that is widely used in pyramids and gives excellent results. Reg White of Blackpool uses this method and he raises 1,000 top-quality pelargonium cuttings every year! Remember that you have to ventilate a bit more with oil heaters to compensate for the extra humidity they produce.

I don't want to fill the base with compost. Is there an alternative?
There are several compost substitutes now on the market including materials derived from coconut fibre, and tree bark - and of course you can also use sand or gravel.
Our first choice though is for a good general-purpose compost, watered at regular intervals. Moisture evaporation accounts for up to two-thirds of the cooling load in hot weather and if you use other materials you may find that over-heating is a problem - which in turn will necessitate your adding a shaded cover (see above).

What about watering while I'm on holiday?
Many users have found that that if they water heavily a day or two before leaving, and fit a shade, the GrowMate will remain cool and protective for several days without attention. For longer periods away you should consider fitting an automated system. Battery-operated timer-switches are available to switch a garden hose off and on. Used in conjunction with a suitable delivery-system (leaky-hose, atomising spray-heads or capillary mats) you can leave a pyramid unattended for quite lengthy periods.

If I break a glass pane in my GrowMate, how do I obtain a replacement?
We have designed our largest (5'0") model such that two triangles can be cut from a single Dutchlight with little waste. Dutchlight is an "industry-standard" stocked by virtually all glaziers. It is 1,422mm x 730mm x 3mm and costs typically £10/sheet, so if you buy your triangles in pairs the cost is about £5/triangle.

What are the advantages of toughened glass?
It has 6 - 8 times the impact resistance of ordinary glass and shatters into harmless blunt particles. Often specified by schools and by institutions catering for the disabled, since it virtually eliminates all danger of injury. However the considerable extra cost can seldom be justified in ordinary domestic use.

How is a GrowMate delivered, and what guarantee do you give?
Within the UK and most parts of Europe we deliver by road-carrier direct to your home-address and the goods arrive with an unconditional 5 year warranty (excludes glass).
Outside the UK enquiries are dealt with on an individual basis. We are always happy to obtain a competative quotation for shipping to any part of the world and can forward our findings by e-mail, or by telephone/fax/mail.

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