Tuesday, October 08, 2013

Greenhouse Update

It's that time of the year again when we have to start thinking about where to put plants away for the cold months ahead. The greenhouse at the bottom of our new garden (past the koi pond) will be the main home for those that will need some extra protection for it will be gently heated to keep it above freezing for the entire duration of winter. 

Nearly all have gained size and done well since the start of the summer
But before you gain entry you'll have to feed these fellas first...
We've got loads of plants and space is a premium so we better start thinking about how to position all of its winter residents to maximise use of its limited space. Which means lots of planning...

But before that I better take a look at what's there already.

It's pushed out some new growth so I'm hoping that this Yucca thompsoniana is re-rooting nicely
The photo betrays how blue the Nolina nelsonii at the front is.
Clockwise from lower left - Beccariophoenix alfredii, Chamaerops humilis var. cerifera, Chamaerops humilis, and a Cycas revoluta
Another one that is very blue in the greenhouse - Yucca schottii
and its neighbour Solanum pyracanthum
Whilst not looking one of our Agave montana has thrown out some variegation. To core it or not to encourage variegated offsets, that is the question... (sorry for the weeds!)
New growth that gladdens my heart - from a previously flowered and rootless Yucca rostrata
The current residents have pretty much stayed as they were since we've put them there at the start of the summer. We've barely had time to do any gardening recently and the most I've done here before was to give everyone a quick check that they are fine and watered as and when necessary. So far so good and a majority have done well despite the minimal attention we've given them. There were a few casualties and there are some weeding to do now but overall the residents are in a good state.

We lost nearly all of our power tools during the fire hence we weren't able to build any greenhouse staging in the past months. To be honest, lost tools or not I doubt we would have been able to build those stages anyway with our spare time severely preoccupied by the house renovation. So I'm pondering on just buying off the rack ones which I'm currently looking in to, seeing what's available out there that's sturdy but won't cost the earth either.

The vignette just outside the greenhouse - how many can you identify?
And speaking of lost tools, they have all been found again as replacements have been sent (and premium ones too, yay!) which means that once the house is done garden DIY can recommence.

And back to the greenhouse, apart from the staging we'll have to put some insulation in too, to keep the warmth inside and consequently reduce heating costs. Then once that's done we can start putting more plants in, all part of the big ritual of tucking the garden to bed for winter.

Mark :-)

38 comments :

  1. Your fish look quite intelligent, and I love your greenhouse! I think you must have some sturdy, long sleeve garden gloves to work around all those spiky plants. Yet they are all so beautiful. Personally, I like the variegation on your Agave montana and would encourage it.

    Because our winters are so short and mild, a greenhouse has never been on my priority list, but now that I am growing more tropicals during the summer, I wish I had one. Lou's office serves as our winter home for tender plants, and before long he will be working in a jungle!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lou's office is potentially going to be very lush in the winter Debs :) Funny enough I rarely wear gloves now even when working with spiky plants, I just learnt to be extra careful and avoid getting into bad angles but a little scratch here and there still happens. Grasping them directly still warrants wearing tough gloves (or lots of newspaper).

      Delete
  2. Guard carp! And a dinosaur inside - Solanum pyracanthum - that does look fierce. Wish I could impress you by listing all the plants in your collation but . . .

    Is that fish really transparent?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Guard carp, I like the sound of that Lucy! Not sure about the transparent but the black markings does blend in well with the colour of the pond fibreglass.

      Delete
  3. I'm really curious how you go about insulating a greenhouse without blocking the sunlight.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nothing sophisticated Alison, just good old bubble wrap does the trick nicely :)

      Delete
  4. Your plants are as pampered as any baby, and they aren't even acting spoiled. The leaves in that vignette outside the greenhouse create a wonderful tapestry. I won't even try to identify them...just enjoy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Indeed Ricki, sometimes it's just nice to look at them together :)

      Delete
  5. I admire the energy that goes into securing frost-sensitive plants for winter. I can only imagine what would happen if I had to add that to my garden chores.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Count yourself lucky Kris, living in that lovely mild area of yours :)

      Delete
  6. I want to know what every plant is in that vignette so I can duplicate it. What a gorgeous combo!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The three main plants there are, left to right - Broussonetia papyrifera, Magnolia maudiae, and Schefflera rhododendrifolia :)

      Delete
  7. Oh my yes, it too soon is time for the autumn migration once again. My thoughts always turn to living in a warmer climate this time of year! I'm very curious about the rear center plant in your picture. Looks a little like a cotton plant but not quite. Still looking forward to the grand pond project unveiling!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Could it be the Magnolia maudiae Peter? I really ought to post pics of the pond soon. So many photos to go through, will need to select a few. Might be able to do that over the weekend especially now that the main computer is more accessible.

      Delete
    2. Not the magnolia as I recognized that as such but the plant with palmate leaves. The spaces between the leaves look like two bunnies facing each other.

      Delete
  8. Is it really time to start stashing everything away already? How did that happen? Solanum pyracanthum looks like something you'd find in a medieval dungeon. Remarkable. Dave

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, time certainly does fly so quick doesn't it Dave? This solanum is apparently very easy from seed. Will try for the first time to overwinter one, we'll see how it goes...

      Delete
  9. Yay for new tools! So many plant treasures, so little greenhouse space. Good luck in your hunt for staging. I still haven't made it past the concrete blocks and wooden planks style...so college dorm room! (i.e. not classy!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Concrete blocks and wooden planks, you've just given us a Eureka moment there Loree! Especially as we have loads of that lying around at the moment.

      Delete
  10. Well, you two are never bored or idle, are you! I'mimpressed at how well you have managed to keep your plants given all the drama - planned and unplanned - this year. I love the blue of the Yucca schottii - and the Solanum pyracanthum, though as others have commented, it does look slightly scary too! Great to see a shot of the koi too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Janet! It has been a dramatic year for us indeed, whew what a year! Ultimately it was the 'planned' one that took most of our time thankfully, the 'unplanned' turned out to be just a big nuisance (which still needs sorting out). There were a few neglect casualties but on the whole most just got on with their usual business :)

      Delete
  11. Well not sure if my post is sitting there or not. Google seems to have had problems again while trying to post here. But you are worth rewriting a post. :) Like the gravel in your greenhouse. It helps retain heat in there also from the sun. A couple of those plants have wicked thorns. Would hate to be the one that had to repot them at some point.
    Cher Sunray Gardens

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yikes, google having trouble again eh! How annoying when that happens but glad that you comment still went through :)

      Delete
  12. Haha, Loree beat me too it...cinder blocks aren't especially pretty...but they have so many uses!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great minds think alike :) and yes they do have so many uses!

      Delete
  13. Looks like your plants are getting along very well. Solanum pyracanthum is scary!!! Those thorns really don't want anyone to chew on those leaves! I was glad you got some new tools. Tools are really invaluable. When I divorced my first husband, I said take the desk - but leave me the saw! ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hehe, that made me smile Holley :) and yes those thorns do look really vicious!

      Delete
  14. Beccariophoenix alfredii - yet another plant I had never heard of before, and what an exciting one!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hope that you are able to find some suitable off the peg staging - it will save you from a job that you could no doubt do without. Unable to identify any of the plants in the attractive vignette. Would love to know the name of the one with the dark foliage :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The dark one is Schefflera rhododendrifolia Anna :)

      Delete
  16. You are so lucky to have a wonderful greenhouse. And I sure hope that your insurance is paying for your lost tools. Can't wait to see have more of the renovation is gong. Take care!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Candice! The insurance did replace everything we lost thankfully :)

      Delete
  17. Your plants are more lucky than mine! My tender plants go to the unheated garage. The main problem is very low light. Not all the plants make it. I wish you a mild winter!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Tatyana! The greenhouse will only have minimal heating, mainly just to keep it frost free :)

      Delete
  18. I admire how you dug your heels in after the fire and just got on with it. I guess we are talking pollybubble, must have got the spelling wrong as a google search says its a tea maker! Hope all your plants in the greenhouse come through the coming Winter, do keep an eye on those heating bills.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Alistair! Yes it will be pollybubble (bubblewrap) indeed. And yes, we're keeping an eye on the heating bill especially as we got stung a few winters ago so now we're more cautious :)

      Delete
  19. Hi Mark, i am already familiar on yours and Gaz's style of writing,i can already guess at the beginning who is currently writing. I am also glad that i am not living in the temperate clime as it is too difficult to put them in and out depending on the season. And they are so heavy, not to mention that Solanum which is full of thorns! Oh how very difficult.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to reply to our post, we love reading comments and hearing your views.

Due to the increased level of spam, please note comments on older posts are moderated and only published after approval. All new comments are read and any spam is deleted.