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Advice on conservatory gardening [PICS]

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09:12 / 26.09.05

One of the 'Constance Elliott' passifloras has bloomed! About three inches in diameter, pure white, with a surprisingly lemony fragrance.

I can't quite believe how excited I am by this.

09:32 / 26.09.05

I can. Big nelly.

09:36 / 26.09.05

Teh Elephant.

20:45 / 26.09.05

Oh, congratulations! 3 inches seems like a healthy size, although I'm not that familiar with Constance Elliot. The invasive ones I've been beating back unsuccessfully from my live oaks (I'm a terribly messy gardener, hate weeding and prune only when necessary) started blooming last week, just to make me feel guilty. This variety has the weirdest fruits (inedible, dry red pulp) and comparitively tiny flowers -- standard purple blooms, but only around an inch or so across.

You know the semiotics of the flower? Why it's the Passion flower?

daynah: I'm surprised, and dissapointed, no one's menchioned carnivorous plants.

I was really tempted to mention them, but I've never really grown them, and I know they need lots of humidity. There are some Sarracenias (pitchers) that grow wild in wetlands around Tallahassee, and I've seen them there, but they're endangered and I wasn't about to start messing with them.

I *have* seen some Dutchman's Pipe vines that seem like they do well in the same kind of environment as an orchid (humid air, dunno about the soil). They might make an interesting counterpoint to the passion vines, but this is just me a-guessing.

Ganesh: Lemme know what palm you wind up getting. Keep your orchid well-drained (remember, they live on trees in swamps -- no soil, wet air).

Oh, and (shit, do I have to keep adding to *every* post I make in this topic?) if you're into it, there *is* a fern, a really large fern, that'd do well in the environment you've described. It's called a Macho fern (no lie), it's a Cuban native, thrives in full sun, grows about two feet tall or more and I've got a bunch of 'em in my backyard. Great foliage, but might not be showy enough for a conservatory, depending on your taste.

21:05 / 26.09.05

Our Venus Fly Trap was fun for a while. It sat on a sunny window ledge at the end of the bath in another flat and there was a canal below, so lots of beasties would fly in. It was an efficient killing machine although sometimes the insects would not be entirely engulfed in the jaws of the plants and that was less attarctive, with bits of fly or moth still poking out as the remainder was dissolved by the plant's little chemical factory.

I was still a vegetarian at the time and the disconnect was fierce as I lay relaxing in the bath, watching the insect slaughter slowly unfold. I think Ganesh just wanted it to catch wasps but it never did.

21:11 / 26.09.05

Surely it was the ultimate vegetarian revenge?

00:50 / 30.10.05

It's been a long, drawn-out, humid couple of months here in Ol' Blighty, and both conservatory and roof terrace have benefited from the Indian summeriness of it all. The blue passifloras are still flowering, and continue to drape themselves attractively over the network of support strings I've attached across the conservatory ceiling. The white ones have stopped flowering and have become sticky at their tips, with little beads of glutinous sap coating leaves and stems.

I'm assuming this is normal, some sort of seasonal thing? Presumably if they'd been pollinated, they'd be growing fruit by now. They're 'semi-evergreen' depending on climate, so it'll be interesting to see whether they're able to maintain their leaves over winter, what with the conservatory door being opened fairly frequently.

Generally, though, I'm very happy with the passifloras, and am thinking of getting more, maybe a red passiflora coccinea or a pink passiflora mollissima...

00:57 / 30.10.05

I've never noticed sticky sap on mine, but they've always been outdoor plants, so rain might wash it away (they also seem to flower whenever they feel like it, not just in season).

Oh, and I found what the bush was I've been calling star-of-bethlehem. It's a lakeview jasmine.

01:03 / 30.10.05

Well, I found quite a useful UK passiflora site which seems to be suggesting that having columns of ants traversing one's passifloras is a good sign, because they enjoy the sweet nectar/sap, so I'm assuming it's not a sign of anything bad.

Speaking of jasmine, I'd very much like to get a winter-flowering one to give the conservatory a nice scent over November and December...

00:58 / 06.11.05

Yesterday, I bought a plant for the corner of the conservatory, the high-up bit above the radiator which is partly shaded from sunlight. I decided on a nepenthes pitcher plant, a variety with bright scarlet pitchers. It's the first time I've tried to grow one, and I'm determined to do my best to keep it alive. I've been misting it regularly (it likes humidity, apparently) and watering with rainwater. I'm told it likes distilled water: does that mean I can water it with Evian, or what?

19:42 / 06.11.05

Ganesh, I haven't read every comment, so I may be repeating things here. You have a different problem from growing plants in the hot outdoors. A hot greenhouse is closer to a sunlit oven, and the only plants that do well are those whose *roots* can stand the heat. There's also the problem you noticed with wilting in the middle of the day, even with watering. That happens when a plant is not adapted to the rate of transpiration involved, i.e. it loses more water through its leaves than it can draw in through its roots. As a matter of fact, you can kill the roots through over-watering, and never get enough water to the leaves.

So what will grow? As you've noticed: some passifloras. You can't kill them. They'll survive anything, even ovens. Also desert--not alpine--succulents. Cactus, aloes, yuccas, etc., not echeverias, sedums, etc. Forget all forms of orchids, including ground orchids. They hate having hot soil.

A solution that should enable you to grow more different kinds of plants is to do what Kew does: paint the outside of the conservatory glass with whitewash. Cuts down the light levels to something manageable, and makes it more livable for you too. If that's not aesthetically pleasing enough, parachute cloth can be used instead. Make a billowy "ceiling" out of it that can be pulled back when you want it open, and you have the best of all worlds.

Keep us posted on how your greenhouse grows!

20:14 / 06.11.05

The whitewash idea would negate the other uses of the conservatory ie. somewhere to sit on good days and enjoy the sunshine. Considered some sort of cloth blinds, but decided instead to try creating a natural sunshade by training the passifloras up over the ceiling.

I take what you're saying, Quixote, but there are several factors which, I think, make this conservatory more bearable for plants that can't handle strong sunlight. Firstoff, the passiflora ceiling cover is having some effect. Secondly, its positioning means it gets sun until around 3pm, so it's not oven-like for the whole day. Third, the glass isn't floor-to-ceiling; there's a two-foot shelf on the south/east facing sides, so plants on the floor can be shielded from direct sunlight. The wooden bench provides a similar patch of shade.

This may be why the cymbidium I bought a couple of months ago is thriving. It's looking extremely happy in its semi-shielded position, and has grown a new flower-spike. Encouraged by this, I've positioned an old fishtank in an equally protected spot, have put a layer of pebbles on the bottom for humidity, and am using this as a sort of 'time out space' for orchids from elsewhere in the house, that have finished flowering. There are two in there at the moment, a phaelenopsis and a vanda, still in their pots, and they seem to be flourishing. No new flower-stalks yet, but several new leaves and pseudobulbs.

I guess it remains to be seen whether clever positioning will enable the pitcher-plant to survive. There's also an echeverium from the roof terrace that I'm going to have to take inside soon, when it starts to get frosty, for over-wintering. I'm hopeful that I can find it a comfortable spot too.

21:17 / 06.11.05

Nepenthes is beautiful, perfect in a conservatory, and would look great amongst palms, but is too expensive of a first time carnivorous plant.

I picked up a reasonably big one (maybe a dozen large pitchers, and more baby ones) at New Covent Garden flower market for £7.50. Had to get up early on a Saturday morning, but worth it.

15:49 / 07.11.05

Training passifloras to create shade is a great idea. Sounds like you have a lot of the problems worked out.

Nepenthes like it REALLY humid (they come from Borneo rainforests and the like). Maybe set up a mister on a timer that goes off every 15 minutes, and put it right next to the Nepenthes and near any other pitcher plants. Then the less humid-loving plants won't be overwhelmed.

Cymbidiums are cool weather orchids (which in England shouldn't be too difficult to arrange, even in a greenhouse!). Keeping the roots in very freely draining media (bark, coconut husks) and reasonably cool is the most important thing for them, so a place where the pots are in the shade is a good idea.

Have you been to Kew? If not, by all means, go. A) It's beautiful. B) They grow many (all?) of the plants you're talking about and you can see what ideal conditions for them look like (especially in that one conservatory (the Princess of Wales conservatory?))

Sounds like you have a really nice set up. Next time I'm in London, I'm going to want to come visit! :-)

16:32 / 07.11.05

Cheers! I was actually considering training a grape vine up over the roof, but the passifloras seemed a prettier option. I need more, though: ultimately, I want stalks to dangle down, so the blooms can be best displayed. Even into November, the blue-purple ones are still flowering, and seem to have a lot of buds left. The white ones seem to be 'resting', though.

Now beginning to wonder if I've bitten off more than I can chew with the ol' pitcher plant. I've been settling for spraying it a few times each day, with my ancient brass plant mister...

The orchids are all in free-draining pots inside larger planters to which I've added a layer of pebbles, so they've got humidity but their roots aren't sitting in water. Seems to be suiting the cymbidium and the two in the glass tank.

Yeah, I've been to Kew. Didn't have a lot of time to see around it, though, so only really got a chance to see the Palm House and the Orchid House. Put off by potential mawkishness of the Princess Diana Enclosure (or whatever) but will give it a go next time.

17:39 / 07.11.05

I'm totally inexperienced with hothouses (living in one notwithstanding), but I really do think if you're making orchids happy with that fishtank, it'll work for pitchers. Anything that gets humidity in the air!

21:04 / 25.01.06

(Mordant's herb-growing question reminded me of this.)

Wellll, winter's been... instructive. Couldn't organise ourselves sufficiently to get someone out to fix the radiator, so the temperature in the conservatory has plummeted during the cold snap. Sadly, this seems to be the last straw for the poor, ailing pitcher plant, which isn't really hardy enough for such weather.

Passifloras doing better: they've got a bit leafy because the stems aren't growing as fast - and they've gradually lost their lower leaves - but they've kept growing, and they really seem to love being trained on wires/strings across the roof. Letting strands dangle down seems to encourage flowering; even in crappy ol' January, there're new blooms opening daily. Come spring, I'm supposed to prune them back.

Orchids doing well too. Recently bought a new, winter-flowering pink cymbidium, which is brightening things up.

Less searchable M0rd4nt

21:11 / 25.01.06

Ohh, fine! I discreetly reveal my modest balcony, so you have to come along and whip out your conservatory. Very mature.

21:25 / 25.01.06

I am jealous of your Orchid.

My Orchids are sad since I moved from Somerset and haven't flowered again. Prior to the move they lived in the bathroom which was South facing and had huge windows. They flowered pretty consistently.

I haven't had a flower in months here. They might be a tiny bit colder, but they're under skylights in the kitchen here, so the light is the same. I miss them.

21:39 / 25.01.06

I discreetly reveal my modest balcony, so you have to come along and whip out your conservatory.

Hehehehh, "conservatory" embiggens it somewhat. It's kind of a souped-up lean-to. And the climate's not quite as conducive as yours.

Orchids: I've only ever managed to get cymbidiums to reflower. They're quite hardy, apparently, and like plenty of light plus cooler temperatures at night... so I'm hoping the London nippiness will suit them without being too icy. The 'convalescing' ones in the old fishtank will, I hope, survive long enough to bloom again - but I can only hope.

21:42 / 25.01.06

I never had a problem before. I just mostly ignored them and watered them occasionally.

Post some pictures of the glorified lean-to!

21:45 / 25.01.06

If they're in the right position, orchids seem to thrive on neglect. I have to take care not to overwater mine...

Recently found the digital camera, so may well take photos this coming weekend, if it's nice and sunny. It looks a bit miserable in the rain.

22:06 / 14.02.06

Welllll, since 'tis the day for hearts, flowers and general lovelyniceness, I've finally got around to uploading some pics of teh conservatory. This winter's been something of a learning process, in that some plants have thrived in the space and some really haven't. Have to say, I'm really looking forward to spring/summer and a burst of new growth.

Xoc's just pointed out that I don't have anything that clearly shows the whole conservatory, looking back into the house. Hm. Anyway, here's the view from the bench looking across at the window. The tanks and tubs below window level house post-flowering orchids (which seem, on the whole, to be doing quite well) and the pots on the windowsill contain passifloras I've trained up and over the ceiling. Still quite sparse, but they've stayed flowering all winter and I've noticed the fronds which hang down seem to grow more buds. Leaves are rather spindly so, come warmer weather, I'll prune quite vigorously.

Here's the bench itself, the rather nice pink cymbidium at the far end, the smaller red cymbidium (on its last flowering for this season, I think) and a succulent I've taken inside for the winter.

Agh. And the sad-looking almost-dead pitcher plant, which just didn't survive the cold. Will put something hardier in that spot. The big brass thing's an Egyptian palm pot. Guess what's going in there?

And the view outside. Nicer in summer.

22:09 / 14.02.06

Wow.

22:18 / 14.02.06

The broken pot thing in the corner is the urn I bought from The Pier which arrived smashed. It needs something a bit... beefier in it, I reckon. More jungle. Or maybe the palm pot should go there.

Psi-L is working in hell

22:42 / 14.02.06

That looks beautiful 'Nesh. The pink cymbidium is like some sort of triffid! I've never been able to grow orchids like that....I think I get to worried about them and drown them in too much water with my over-bearing green fingers.

I love that big brass Egyptian pot, where'd you get it?

22:49 / 14.02.06

I love that big brass Egyptian pot, where'd you get it?

EBay, my favourite hardy perennial.

01:06 / 15.02.06

That broken urn is a great thing. Your cymbidiums look much nicer than my orchids in general, actually (as outside plants, they only rarely get dead leaves removed or any general tidying).
I bet if you pinch the ends of the passiflora vines, you'll get some nice bushing out this spring.

01:41 / 15.02.06

The broken urn is indeed a great thing, but the Pier are not to know that. I hope you made a fuss and got some vouchers or something.

09:54 / 15.02.06

Hah, yes! Thought of your previous sterling advice on complaining, Lula, and constructed my letter accordingly. It worked! I am in awe of your complaint-fu.

15:39 / 27.04.06

Seth's thread made me think of this one, and I realised how much has changed since those pics were taken. The palm pot is finally in use

(I suspect it'll outgrow that space rather quickly). The conservatory itself is looking generally greener, with some nice old brass/copper planters (that I'm hoping won't actually overheat to the extent that they burn the plants come summer):

The passifloras have just kept on flowering. Can't find a perfect purple one today, but here's one of the newly-opened white varieties:

Found a smaller, hardier nepenthes and put it in an easier-to-water position. It seems to be flourishing. I've not actually seen it digest anything, but the bees and flies which get trapped in the conservatory must go somewhere...

Annnd I've started to experiment with some cute little succulents.

At the moment, though, it's the outer part of the terrace that's really giving value for money. All the tulips I planted in autumn are up now, and mixing with some potted white narcissi (is that the plural?) which were something of an impulse-purchase. The long-term plan is for the railings to become covered in a mixture of ivy, clematis, wisteria and jasmine, thus screening off the not-terribly-pleasant view.

Favourite of the moment is the tall, black Queen of the Night tulip, which always reminds me of Amsterdam...

One thing that is bothering me slightly is a small, localised (to one big pot) aphid infestation. Despite my pulling off all the affected pansy heads, it's spread to the leaves, and the poor plants are looking very unhappy. I don't want to start using pesticides, but it's apparently too early in the season to buy the eco-friendly alternative, ladybird larvae. Anyone got any good tips for getting rid of the little bastards?

11:40 / 28.04.06

tea made from cigarettes + dish soap. + squish them when you see them.

11:49 / 28.04.06

No tips, no stories of my own, I just wanted to say how fantastic your conservatory and terrace look, Ganesh.

11:51 / 28.04.06

And yes, narcissi, same as homunculi, which I imagine should be popping out of those bizarre looking pods anytime soon.

12:26 / 28.04.06

Just want to follow Bill Sack’s lead and say nothing more than how fantastic that looks. I am succulent-like with envy (and slight arousal).

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