New Low E thermal pain greenhouse

[pipefitter508]

I have 2 greenhouses older one is covered with greenhouse plastic the other is built with low e glass
Tomato plants seam to be struggling in the low e house
They have been in the low e house for 12 days and only
2 days full sun total
It's been cloudy and rainy the rest of the time
here are some pics below to compare the growth of each greenhouses
All winter I was growing Brugmansia (trumpet flowers) in the low e greenhouse with no issues they did very well in there
My question is should I be concerned at this point or wait for more sun both sets of plants are at the same age
Bob

[berryman]

Ive grown skeptical of low-e glass for solar uses. I haven't done research yet, but I am pretty sure that the chemicals they put in there interfere with the light that comes in.

[bower]

Both sets of seedlings look fine to me, all the same.

I'm not familiar with the low e glass. But have certainly found huge differences between glass vs plastic, in general, plastic is a way better light situation because of diffusing it, while under glass my plants get a real scorching when the sun comes out.

[pipefitter508]

Thank you both they seem fine just a little slower
They will catch up we really need some sunny days here
Bob

[PhilaGardener]

Is that a self-designed greenhouse? Looks nice! I hope we hear more about how it works for you, and what is costs to heat. (I hope to have one someday!)

[cwavec]

Does anyone have an opinion on polycarbonate panels. Plastic but
rigid and an airspace provides some insulation. ALso less expensive than glass.

[pipefitter508]

I designed it my self I got the low e glass from a construction job
They were for a glass connector between 2 buildings they changed the ceiling hight and were putting them in the dumpster
So I took them home and stored them till this past fall there 17 years old and in perfect shape
Bob

[MissS]

What a great job you have done on the greenhouse. You were lucky to find so many windows that were not so very mismatched. That was a great find for sure.

Your plants look fine. Those in the second photo are not as stocky, but look to be very healthy. I am just wondering to myself if this is due to the temperature inside or the light. I would not be changing anything at this point. All of them look very good.

[pipefitter508]

I called a low e greenhouse manufacture in Florida and I was told that when the leaves are smaller and dark green it's because they are getting plenty of sun it's when there large and liter in color there trying to compensate for a lack of natural sun
So a bit smaller is a bit better
I had 11' Brugmansia trees packed in this greenhouse all winter and they flourished in there fully leaves out and loaded with blooms
Bob