Even in larger greenhouses, choosing the right plants can be difficult. I once decided to grow a banana plant to harvest my own bananas. It keeps growing through the skylight until it is about 4 feet taller than the 12-foot greenhouse. Every summer, the sea breeze blows the leaves. Every time I fell, I had to bend the top back to close the sunroof. Four years later, the plant decided to bear fruit, and a long shovel appeared.
With the best small greenhouse, only the first two hands are mature enough to be harvested. Considering all the money it took to keep this plant in a reasonably heated environment for four winters in a row, I’d guess the cost of a banana would be around $200. I could have bought the same hands at the grocery store for about $3! This example shows how easy it is to choose the wrong plants for a greenhouse.
Easy To Grow Greenhouse Plants For Beginners
Succulents
If your greenhouse is small, say only 8 x 6 feet, choosing the right plants can be more difficult because the size of the plants is more important. One possible option is succulents. I have a friend who is packing nearly 400 succulents and cacti into her greenhouse. But it’s not for everyone, and not all chances are small. For example, a cactus is a tree-like species that can grow up to 40 feet tall, and even a sage cactus with beautiful flowers can reach 4 or 5 feet long.
A good idea for a small greenhouse is to choose plants that are comfortable in pots. Dwarfing vegetables is one possibility. Dwarf tomatoes, for example, can last all summer in a pot and still provide plenty of fresh fruit. You can also grow peppers, eggplants, lettuce and many other small vegetables in pots in small greenhouses.
Fruit vines
Fruit vines are another option for small greenhouses, but be careful as they tend to take over. I once had a passion fruit vine that grew out of the greenhouse window and filled the entire top of the greenhouse with flowers. In late summer, the vines had to be cut back to close the windows. I also tried kiwi vine (you need a male and a female fruit). Growing at a rate of about a foot per week, they quickly take up all available space, but the fruit is delicious. Sweet potato vines are another plant to consider. They are mostly grown for leaf color and not for potatoes.
Even in a small greenhouse, you can grow a lot of flowers. African violets, chain fruit, begonias, and Kalanchoe are all flowering greenhouse plants that don’t take up much space.
Bulbs
Many flower bulbs, from amaryllis to Paperwhite, can also be grown in pots with no problem and don’t take up much space. If you have a small trellis, you can plant some creepers like mandevillea or morning glory. But be careful with morning glory lest the plant get out of control.
Orchids
Orchids are particularly popular flowers in small greenhouses. The most hardy orchids are Cymbidium, while Phalaenopsis requires greenhouse heating in winter. However, since phalaenopsis prefer temperatures similar to humans, you can bring them indoors during the coldest months. Dendrobium orchid is another beautiful orchid that grows well in a small greenhouse, and the widely distributed Cattleya genus produces beautiful flowers as well.
Cattleya
Cattleya prefers similar conditions to phalaenopsis and is more colorful and prolific than most other orchids. In addition, there are many crosses with other orchid varieties, such as with the Laelia genus. No matter which orchid you choose, after the plants bloom, you can usually place them under a greenhouse bench until they start blooming again. Just remember to water them.
Why do plants grow better in a greenhouse?
Greenhouses can actually be used for many yards. Many people prefer these indoor environments to control the environment. For example an automatic timer connected to an irrigation system. It allows you to save time and control the environment based on the season or time of day.
Automatic ventilation regulates the air flow in the room. It provides a constant supply of carbon dioxide to your greenhouse plants. They need this to produce sugar and oxygen. The concentrated carbon dioxide results in larger leaves and stronger plant stems. It also increases its early flowering and fruiting potential.
Greenhouses with humidity control keep the air moist for optimal crop growth. In a humid atmosphere, each plant can focus on flowering and fruiting. Also, moist soil is less likely to breed pests and diseases.
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The Basics That Can Still Influence Greenhouse Plant Growth
There are a few things to know that can still affect plant growth. You probably already know some of these from gardening.
Seed
Can be sown from old seeds. Though you might wonder how likely they are to sprout. Let’s take a look at these three important factors that can affect seed vigor.
Age
All seeds germinate for at least a year, and some even for two years. However, the germination rate of older seeds begins to decline after the first year.
Type
Seed variety affects how long the seed will live. Seeds like corn and peppers struggle to survive past the two-year mark. Seeds like carrots and tomatoes can live for up to four years. And seeds like cucumbers and lettuce can keep for up to six years.
Storage
Older packaging is more likely to keep seeds viable if stored properly. Seeds survive longer when stored in a cool, dark room. A refrigerator’s vegetable drawer is a smart storage option.
Water
Overwatering or underwatering is a common cause of stunted growth in seedlings. Drooping or wilting usually ensues. Some plants naturally absorb more than others. An adequate amount of water for one plant may be too generous for another. If the seedlings are developing slowly, pay close attention to watering.
For those new to the greenhouse, finding the right watering frequency can be difficult at first. It’s wetter than the garden, but you can’t expect rain either. You can also organize greenhouse plants based on water needs to keep things organized.
pH value
Soil pH levels that are too high or too low are the most basic reasons gardeners can ignore. It will slow down germination even if you don’t see any visible signs. If you haven’t already monitored pH, do so as soon as possible to see if this is a possible cause of your problem! The pH of the roots may not be suitable for some of your plants. This can happen even if they are in the same environment.