Greenhouse Growing Tips
February and March by David Whitehead, Garden Manager HDRA Ryton Organic Gardens
February
• Water plants more freely now the days are lengthening.
• Ventilate in the middle of any warm, sunny days.
• Prune fuschsias at start of the month and re-pot at the end.
• Any pot plants, such as ferns, pelargoniums and foliage plants, showing signs of growth can also be repotted.
• Seeds of half hardy annuals and bedding plants can be sown near the end of the month.
• Sow sweat peas and edible peas for early crops.
• Potted strawberries, once they have received enough cold outside, can be brought in for the forcing
Plants in flower: Abutilon, Freesias, Calceolaria, Lachenalia, Perpetual carnation, Daphne odora, Cineraria, Acacia dealbata, Narcissus (F), Lily of valley (F), Magnolia stellata (F), Dicentra (F).
March
• Ventilate freely when temperature reaches 18C (64F). Hygiene within the glasshouse is very important so remove empty seed packets and decaying plant material.
• Mist or spray plants morning and evening as temperatures rise through the month.
• Increase watering, but do not over water especially newly potted plants.
• Continue sowing bedding and perennial plants.
• Re-pot orchids as they come into growth.
• Keep a sharp eye open for aphids and whitefly, early action, by squashing or spraying with natural fatty acids, will help stop major problems later.
• Cacti and succulents that require re-potting can be done now.
• By the end of the month shading against strong sunlight will be needed
Plants in flower: Narcissi, Schizanthus, Freesia, Lilium longifolium (F), Lilac (F), Forsythia (F)
April and May by Nick Morgan, Glasshouse Superintendent RHS Garden Wisley
April
Lots to do in the propagating greenhouse:
• Sow tomatoes for outdoor production.
• Continue to sow half-hardy annuals for summer bedding displays
It’s not too late to sow FI Hybrid Cyclamen for flowering in December.
• To keep a good display of flowering pot plants throughout the summer, sow Dianthus, Schizanthus and many more easily raised plants.
• Keep watching out for pests, particularly aphids and whitefly – their numbers will increase rapidly unless you take action now. Knock down sprays based on fatty acids work well if used frequently.
• Take care not to over-water newly planted plants.
• Consider installing automatic watering systems to help you through the summer months.
May
• Plants will be growing quickly, make sure you keep them fed and watered.
• Don’t ignore plants which need support. Staking and tying should be done as plants grow.
• Sunny days will really heat up the greenhouse, and may stress young plants, make sure your ventilators are set to open fully.
• If you have screens or blinds you are in a better position to control the sun over-heating your greenhouse.
• Pot-on established pot plants, cuttings can be taken from most pot plants now and will root quickly, a propagator is best, make sure the area is shaded from direct sunlight.
• Be vigilant – keep pest levels down.
• If you made sowings of early salad crops and vegetables in January, enjoy!
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