The Spring Season in the Hobby Greenhouse

The Spring Season in the Hobby Greenhouse

Spring is an exciting and busy season in the hobby greenhouse. Sowing seeds, transplanting and creating hanging baskets are the main activities in the spring greenhouse.

Seed Propagation:
If you are planting several varieties of annual seeds a prepared starter mix is recommended. There is always a problem handling very fine seeds, but one solution is to mix the seeds with some dry sand. Once the seeds are planted in moist soil, cover with dark plastic. Light is not necessary at this stage, unless specified on the seed package. Check daily for visible signs of plant growth and then remove the plastic cover. Seedlings require bottom heat to germinate and flats are placed on a soil cable propagation bed or box.

Transplanting:
Transplanting should be undertaken when the second set of leaves, the true leaves have developed. Seedlings are gently lifted out by the leaves and transplanted into a sterilized potting mix with 6-8-6 as a nutrient. Depending on the variety four to six plants are transplanted into a plastic seedling insert. The cuttings that were taken last summer and wintered over may now need to be transplanted in to larger pots.

Hanging Baskets:
There are many plants in hanging baskets and they require room to grow. The best location in the greenhouse for hanging baskets suspended from roof bars.

Lighting:

Additional light hours give a boost to cutting and seedlings. A 4’ light fixture with reflectors and one cool white and one warm white florescent tubes is a very efficient grow light. The height of the fixture is 15cm (6”) above the seedlings.

Watering:
Watering needs for plants will differ; some require a daily watering while others retain moisture for several days. Seedlings prefer a misting using a watering can with a rose type nozzle. I use a coil watering hose with a long-handled sprayer or wand attached. The nozzles can be misting, low or high volume watering.

General Plant Care:
Bedding plants and cuttings can have new branches encouraged by nipping off the growing tip and early buds. This procedure is called “pinching back” so the plants do not become leggy. Three weeks before the plants are moved outdoors a period of acclimatizing or “hardening off” needs to take place. During this time no night heating is required and vents are open to keep the greenhouse cool.

The Spring Greenhouse Environment:
Provide some shading for protecting the young seedlings. Ventilation and air circulation will maintain an even or optimum environment for the plants.

Spring Greenhouse Tips:

• Carefully follow seed package instructions.
• Be sure to label seed flats according to variety, color and sun/shade conditions.
• By thinning out the weaker seedlings, the remaining ones have room to develop stronger roots.
• Another nutrient for seedlings is the water soluble 5-15-5 plus.
• Seedlings need as much light as possible; the shelving close to the greenhouse walls is an ideal location.
• Over watering the seedlings can cause “damping off”.
• Check plants daily.
• Prepare and plant your hanging baskets in April.
• Exterior shade cloth is the most effective method of preventing heat build-up.
• Automatic vent openers will prevent sudden temperature fluctuations.
• Keep a Journal of your greenhouse activities and record temperatures.

 

 

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