3 Easy How To Grow In A Greenhouse
How To Grow In A Greenhouse - Growing in a greenhouse is a great way to control your gardening climate and grow plants you may not have otherwise been able to. Once you've chosen the right plants, the best way to keep them healthy is to adjust the temperature, humidity, shade, and air circulation as needed. And, if you're growing flowering or fruit-bearing plants, you may need to self-pollinate them as well for a better harvest. With regular care and the right adjustments, your plants will not only survive but thrive in your greenhouse!
Choosing Plants for Your Greenhouse
Choose small, adaptable plants for small greenhouses. Basic, small greenhouses will not be able to support temperamental or larger plants. Pick basic plants that adapt well to a variety of environments for smaller greenhouses, particularly if you haven't grown plants in greenhouses before.
Herbs, strawberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, and leafy greens all grow well in small greenhouses.
Plant large, more temperamental plants in larger greenhouses. Large greenhouses with more sensitive climate controls are better equipped for larger plants or plants that need more routine care. If you've planted in greenhouses before or have a sophisticated greenhouse with plenty of space, try growing more complicated plants in your greenhouse.
Citrus trees and orchids, for example, grow better in big greenhouses because they are larger and prefer a warm, humid climate.
Choose plants based on your greenhouse's insulation. Some greenhouses are equipped with temperature controls and some use a basic insulation system. Monitor your greenhouse's temperature range and choose plants with a similar temperature range if you have basic insulation instead of temperature controls.
If you have basic temperature controls and your greenhouse's range is between 60–80 °F (16–27 °C), for example, you could plant jasmine flowers (which grow well in that temperature range).
Plant what you couldn't otherwise grow in your outdoor climate. To save space, grow plants that adapt well to your outdoor climate outside. Save space in your greenhouse for plants that would thrive better or couldn't otherwise grow outdoors in your area.
If you live in a cold climate, for example, you could grow plants that prefer warm weather like okra or sweet potatoes.
A greenhouse can also be used to start seeds before the spring or summer planting seasons. This is a great alternative to starting seeds indoors on a window sill or a supplemental light source. When the weather is ideal you can plant them outdoors when they are large enough.
Maintaining the Right Climate
Monitor the greenhouse temperature with a weather thermometer. Maintaining a steady temperature is important, especially if you're growing plants that only grow in certain climates. Hang a weather thermometer in your greenhouse so you can monitor the temperature at all times and adjust it if needed.
Adjust the temperature using a heater or fan. Adding a heater (or fan) in your greenhouse is one of the simplest ways to control the temperature. Depending on the product's complexity, you can either install it yourself or hire an electrician to install it for you.
You can buy greenhouse heaters or fans online or at some plant nurseries.
Water your plants regularly based on the greenhouse temperature. Your plants' watering needs may vary based on the temperature. Research how often your plant needs watering based on the greenhouse climate and set up a watering schedule to keep your plants healthy.
Roses, for example, need to be watered every 2-3 days in hot weather and once every 5-6 days in cooler weather.
Provide natural shade for your plants in warmer climates. To shade your plants from too much warmth or direct sunlight, put up shade cloth over the greenhouse's windows. For a more permanent fix, you can also put up vinyl plastic shading or tint the windows a darker color.
You can find shade cloth or vinyl plastic shading from some plant nurseries.
Use a fan for better air circulation. Add a small fan to your greenhouse to keep air circulating between plants and lower the overall temperature. You can also open the windows or doors in your greenhouse for natural air ventilation.
Use wire mesh to keep out pests. Cover open windows or doors with wire mesh, securing it in place with glue or nails. Wire mesh can keep out pests and prevent them from damaging plants or spreading diseases.
You can also use a non-toxic pest repellent or insecticides to deter insects and animals from your greenhouse.
Mist your plants or install a pebble tray near plants that need humidity. To mimic humid climates, fill a spray bottle with water and mist the leaves of plants that thrive in humid climates. You can also fill a pebble tray with water and place it near the plant to remove the need to mist it every day.
Use a humidifier to boost the overall humidity levels in your greenhouse if you're only growing plants made for humid climates.
You can buy pebble trays online or from most plant nurseries.
Pollinating Greenhouse Plants
Research whether your plant is a self-pollinator or open pollinator. Some plants ("self-pollinators") pollinate themselves, while others ("open pollinators") may need help pollinating while in a greenhouse environment. Search your plant online to check whether it is an open or self-pollinator and adjust your habits during its blooming season.
Write whether your plant is an open or self-pollinator on its pot or tag to help you remember.
Use a paintbrush to transfer pollen from the male to female flower. If your plant is an open pollinator, it will have male and female flowers. Dip your paintbrush into the center of the male flower to coat it in pollen, then brush the female flower's center opening (pistil) until you transfer as much of the pollen over as possible.
Research what the male and female flowers for the plant look like first to avoid any mistakes.
Snip the male flower and shake it into the female flower for a faster method. Use a pair of pruning scissors to cut the male flower at the stem. Hold it directly into the female flower and shake it until the male's pollen falls into the female's opening (pistil).
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