What’s In The Greenhouse?

Inside my greenhouse I am finding that the cooler night temperature and less daylight is optimum for some of the plants I am growing there. The Coleus plants are positioned in a semi-shady spot in the greenhouse, receiving the cooler temperature now, and they are all doing well.

Two large pots of geraniums (Pelargoniums) have been moved into the greenhouse. They are situated in a sunny spot where they receive the mid-to-late afternoon sun. They are adapting to the cooler temperature in the greenhouse now, but in about a month, after some fish fertilizer is added on a regular basis, these plants will bloom themselves silly.

The cooler greenhouse temperature does inhibit growth of my seedlings and newly divided plants. I’ve not been using a seeding mat to add bottom heat on my seedlings, so everything is in slow-grow mode.

The three tip-cuts of a scented Geranium have rooted now, but they are not putting on new growth yet. These are a lemon-scented Geranium and the leaves have a wonderful smell, so I wanted a few more of these useful plants for next year.

The greenhouse has been sporting one of the shade cloth wrappings on the roof, but with the decrease in the sun’s strength, I will remove the shade cloth now.  I set the stat for the greenhouse furnace unit at 55-degrees, so my greenhouse is staying cool at night, but not dipping too low or freezing.

During the days with sun, though, the greenhouse temperature climbs up into the mid 80s without a problem.  I have the exhaust fan stat set for 85-degrees and it regularly kicks on by 11am if we have a sunny day. Of course, even with a strong sun, the days are shorter and without the long stretch of daylight or the full summer-strength of sunlight now, the plants pull back on growth, no matter what, unless you trick the plants with additional lighting.

This Chrysanthemum was brought into my greenhouse so I could enjoy it a few months longer than those growing outdoors. Most of my other mums are growing in the gardens, with a few in large pots.

I am also growing some herbs in the greenhouse. I have 3 pots of Italian Parsley which can be harvested for soups or salads.

Seven or eight pots of Chives were started in September. They are small divisions from the garden clumps of Chives that I grow. Once I am unable to pick Chives from the garden, I will begin using the newly potted Chives.

And I’ve started a few cuttings of Pineapple Sage, Snapdragons, and even some Basil started from seed.

From my large pot of Thyme, I took a small division cut and now that small clump is setting its own roots in its own pot. I can always use more Thyme!

And, yes, Nasturtiums!! My greenhouse also has pots and pots of Nasturtiums growing, too.

The Nasturtiums are thriving on the conditions in the greenhouse and frankly, I’m surprised they’re doing so well. I thought they would have enjoyed warmer conditions. Each of the plants was dug from the garden and potted up for the greenhouse.

Nasturtiums are a garden-must for me, and if you’ve not tried this annual flower, please consider doing so next year. Nasturtiums make an excellent companion plant as a catch-crop. Nasturtiums are pest-attractors, with many bugs preferring the nasturtiums over the vegetables growing in the garden. I am involved in covert garden-pest operatives….

The added benefit with Nasturtiums is that they are completely edible. The leaves and flowers are used in salads, offering a wonderful peppery flavor and festive color.

Now who wouldn’t want to strategize covert operations and declare garden-pest-war with such beautiful flowers?