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Make small spaces an oasis of colour - Grow the brightest of flowers in the smallest of Greenhouses
• Hartley Botanic's Patio Glasshouse with geraniums a mini growing space for the space conscious
In the summer months, a small Greenhouse can be used to grow any of the traditional Greenhouse plants, such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, or herbs and start off seedlings which you can later transfer outdoors. During colder months, a mini-Greenhouse can also be used to plant more temperature-sensitive crops. Growing cut flowers in a small Greenhouse can also provide a concentrated pop of colour to brighten up a small garden, patio or even balcony. Greenhouse manufacturer Hartley Botanic provides some Greenhouse growing insight for some of the brightest of flowers.
1. Time for blooms
Pick your plants with their flowering schedule in mind to keep blooms coming month after
month. To get spring flowers as early as February and March, just pot up a few primulas and put them in your Greenhouse. And while you're planning a flowering sched- ule, don't forget about bulbs, such as amaryl- lis and paperwhites. Simply plant the bulbs in pots about 6 to 8 weeks before you want the blooms. Also, for those in-between times, African violets (Saintpaulia) and cape prim- roses (Streptocarpus) can be in bloom in a Greenhouse virtually all winter long.
2. Orchids
Orchids are extremely popular Greenhouse flowers. Among the easiest to grow are phalaenopsis (or moth) orchids, which are sold virtually everywhere in a wide variety of colours. When the blooms eventually fade, just snip off the flower stem and let the plant
rest for a few months while keeping the soil moist. As soon as a new flower stalk emerges, fertilize the plant and put it in a warm place until it flowers again.
3. Dahlias
There are Dahlias in almost every colour save blue with an almost extravagant series of sizes and sorts such as Cactus, Pompon, Peony and Ball flowered. Not particular as to soil or compost as long as this is moist, but well drained, then they will flower quite prolifi- cally. Grown under cover a variety will start flowering earlier, to be followed later by plants moved or planted outdoors. Left on the plants any fading blooms need dead- heading if you wish new flowers to keep coming but otherwise they require no special treatment. Dahlias like most plants will respond to regular watering and feeding though they also cope with neglect quite well. You can grow Dahlias from seed though not of the very choicest varieties which can be cultivated by planting 'tubers' out. Of course, for very choice varieties you can also buy an initial plant and then from then on you can keep the strain going for decades - each plant multiplies every year.
4. Geraniums (Pelargoniums)
You can grow many sorts of Pelargoniums from seed with little difficulty and almost all can be propagated by cuttings.
Contrary to common belief most pelargoniums don't need poor soil but reasonably rich ones, and to be lightly fed as well. However too much feed, especially Nitrogen, causes lusher growth and loses the desired colouring and patterning.Watering is another misconception, although pelargoniums can endure drought for long, they flower and look better with an adequate regular supply. Naturally this is
reduced to minimum from autumn through winter as growth slows and slowly increasing again in spring.
Pelargoniums generally prefer warmth and light but do not need to be baked and parched as if in their native desert. Such severe conditions may encourage red spider mite. It's better to keep them well ventilated even a tad humid during the summer. In winter aridity is safer as its mould not cold that kills. Scrupulous tidying of dead leaves etc. helps keep them safe. Otherwise they're seldom any trouble, indeed just too easy.
For more tips and insight, Hartley Botanic's online magazine provides a wealth of knowl- edge and inspiration. Visit: www.hartley-
botanic.co.uk/magazine.
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