Plants That Should Be Keep In Your Greenhouse

Home Greenhouse in January

This month the daylight is theoretically on the increase, but it is surely slow. Stormy weather obscures the sun so that the actual total of light is still low. However, snow and January thaws produce some beautiful days under the greenhouse roof. The standard roof slope of one in two is such that it sheds freely.

The quiet blanketed feeling of a sunny morning with 6 or 12 inches of snow on the roof is likely to be interrupted by a “whoosh” as the snow unloads in a junior avalanche. Afterwards the bright sunshine and reflected light from the outside snow make a fine spring-like world indoors, and a beautiful sight altogether.

The dumped load of snow from a sizable roof should be considered in planting close to the foundation outside. Brittle shrubs should not be used here unless they are carefully protected.

In full bloom now or beginning to bud are most of the late-sown annual seeds. Many of these are cool loving plants, which do well in a 50-degree greenhouse. Among these are alyssum, lobelia, calendula, wax begonia, impatiens, pansy and the greenhouse strains of snapdragon, stock, didiscus and carnation. From sowings the previous spring, flowers will be appearing on cyclamen, streptocarpus and Primula.

For putting on a great display, one can always rely upon orchids and camellias. An orchid collection which includes cattleya hybrids, epidendrum, cypripedium and phalaenopsis will provide interest over a long period.

The blazing poinsettia, now past its prime as a livingroom showpiece, should be brought back to the greenhouse and stored under the bench until spring.

Bulbous plants contributing to the fireworks include many natives of South Africa. These are usually brought into the greenhouse in late fall from the shaded coldframe where they have spent the summer. Very worthwhile are veltheimia, ornithogaulm, freesia and lachenalia. Try to find space for bougainvillea, amaryllis, and the favorite scarlet Kalanchoe hybrids.

If your Christmas cactus has not flowered, long light days or high temperature may be to blame. You must remember that it is a jungle cactus and unlike the desert types, must be potted in a porous, rich mixture. The oft recommended withholding of water after October 1 is useless; cool temperatures and short days bring bloom.

However, this is a variable species and different specimens flower from October to April. At least three distinct sets of characters are seen in different plants. For bloom always keep in mind light, temperature and humidity.

Outdoor and home weeds can be kept out of the greenhouse by exercising reasonable care. Sterilization of potting soil is perhaps the easiest or buying in clean sterilized soil in bags, but hand weeding will eventually succeed. An occasional crabgrass tuft or the tiny daisy-like Galinsoga parviflora, brought from Europe a century ago, will appear in spite of your care. The most tenacious is a pretty little trailing oxalis with purplish foliage and yellow flower.

This forms tiny shaped seed pods before you know it and shoots its seed far and wide.

Cultivated plant pests include some of the tender Kalanchoes. They drop their plantlets into everything. Another migrant is the decorative artillery plant – Pilea microphylla. This shoots its seeds everywhere and grows luxuriantly. even in orchid pots. So also do two ferns, the pteris and the giant polypodium aureum. A weed specialty in my greenhouse is a plant described as a choice exotic, Chamaeranthemum Gaudichandi.

From a couple of small, dark-green, handsomely barred leaves it sends up a slender 4-inch scape which bears plenty if seed. This seed germinates in orchid pots, fern fibre and other unlikely places.

An expert of my acquaintance tolerates no weeds except the line lacy selaginella and a delicate leaved calceolaria. This latter has tiny lemon-yellow flowers. Seed is scattered throughout his greenhouse, to his annoyance and to the delight of visitors. Know a gardener by his weeds. One mans weed is anothers specimen plant. What is your pet weed?