September is a big month for the greenhouse gardener who is economy minded. It offers no end of opportunity for flowers galore from a small investment in seed and bulbs.
Time is of the essence, however, since conditions favorable to germination and good growth of young plants have again returned. Temperatures are lower and the air is dense with humidity. The sunshine is still sufficiently strong to be stimulating but those dull short cloudy days are on the way and any delay in getting started may mean four to six weeks longer to maturity next winter and spring. For example, seed of stocks sown now will start to flower by November, but a November sowing may not come into bloom until February or March, depending upon the amount of sunshine. Similarly, anemones potted up now will flower by January, but a delay of four or five weeks will mean no bloom until April.
Interesting Blooms From Bulbs, Corms And Tubers
There are ever so many interesting blooms to be had from bulbs, corms and tubers – not just the ordinary things usually found in flower shops, but a wide variety that are especially desirable for their unfamiliar form of growth and coloring.
It is fun to grow them even though some are not so -showy or good keepers when cut. Those included here are not difficult and give your planting individuality: amaryllis, anemone, babiana, bessera, hrodinea, calla lilly, crocus, freesia, gloriosa, iris (Wedgwood and Spanish), ixia. Lachenalia, leucocoryne, Millia biflora, ornithogalum, oxalis, ranunculus, Scilla peruyiana, tecophilaea.
There is something about multiplying plants from cuttings that appeals to a streak of economy inherent in most gardeners. Just for the growing of them, you can have dozens of young plants.
The big difficulty is to hold the supply down to a few. As with everything in a small greenhouse, the inclination is to grow too much in too small a space. One or two well grown specimens are worth a dozen of the spindly kind which result from overcrowding.
The Wise Greenhouse Grower Transfers
The wise gardener will also transfer plants from the propagating medium as soon as they have formed good roots, for when left too long without means of nourishment, stunted growth develops.
Don’t forget that you will need a good supply of soil for next spring and summer planting. This is the best season of the year to prepare for it. Compost sod or soil with manure in alternate layers using about 4 inches of manure with 8 inches of soil. If you do not wish to take the trouble to go into such composting, work liberal quantities of manure into the top soil of a section of your garden especially for the greenhouse.
Shrubby plants like fuchsias that have been blooming all summer long should be cut back and repotted in fresh soil. Large potted plants that are in good condition may be topdressed but take care in removing the old soil so as not to disturb roots growing near the surface. Other plants that will need shifting to larger pots include such things as begonias, Boston yellow daisies, and poinsettias.
Azaleas that have been plunged out of doors should be brought in before cold nights set in. They form their flower buds at temperatures above 65 degrees and these buds develop after the temperature falls below 60 degrees.
by C Ernest – 61222
