Exotic Plants
One of I he advantages of having a greenhouse is that it enables you to grow any plant which appeals to you, regardless of its cultural requirements, and in the course of trying out different plants over the years for their suitability as house plants, I have occasionally come across a plant which has given me considerable pleasure.
The four plants included in this section are worth a place in the greenhouse, and, as they are perennials, once they have been acquired they become a permanent pan of the collection.
One would not wish to grow more than two or three plants of each, but I would always wish to grow at least one because they all have their own special appeal for me and give me great pleasure each year as they bloom.
AGAPANTHUS (FAMILY LILIACEAE)
Agapunthus afrtcatms, sometimes known as the African lily, is a cool greenhouse perennial with a fleshy tuberous root It was introduced from Cape Province, South Africa, to Europe in the seventeenth century. It is of compact habit, with graceful strap-shaped leaves similar to a hippeastrum. From these a stem grows to a height of some 18-30 in (4575 cm), bearing a large round flower head or umbel made up of pale blue tubular florets. There is also a white variety.
Pot the tuberous root about 6 in (15 cm) deep in a 7-in (17.5-cm) pot in compost E6 or JI No.2 in early spring. Water the pot and until growth appears water sparingly, after which put the pot on the automatic watering bench until the end of spring, then put the plant outside in a sunny position. If the plant is left in the greenhouse during the summer it is likely that the flowering stem will become elongated. Although these plants will stand full sunshine, they do not require a hot atmosphere. The blooming period is usually during summer. Cease watering at the end of the summer and keep the compost completely dry from autumn until the following spring when the plant can be started into growth merely by watering it. No artificial heat is required as the normal unhealed greenhouse temperatures at this time of the year are quite high enough during the day to bring the plant into growth. Agapanthus are quite hardy and only require a frost-proof storage in the winter months when dormant. Repot plants every three or four years, at which time you can increase your stock by root division,
BRUNFELS1A (FAMILY SOLANACEAS)
In California where it grows outdoors, Brunfdtta cafycina is called 'Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow', due to the changing colour of its flower. It opens purple, becomes lavender and gradually fades to almost white. In a hot climate this colour change can take place in three days, but in the greenhouse in cooler parts it takes much longer.
It is a small evergreen shrub native to the West Indies and Brazil, very slow-growing, and it is difficult eo get it to bush as it does not readily produce side shoots. Plants should be repotted in the spring when necessary about every two or three years using compost E6.
Remove all the compost from the roots and repot in the same pot unless the plant obviously requires a larger size. Even after seven or eight years it is not likely to require larger than a 5-in (12.5-cm) pot.
Brunfelsias like a warm moist atmosphere and bright light. Given idea) conditions they will (lower continuously from early summer to late autumn, but as they are not likely to get ideal conditions when growing in a greenhouse with many other plants they usually have a burst of flowering in early summer and then flower spasmodically throughout the rest of the season.
During the growing season ample water should be provided, but by mid-autumn watering should cease until the compost is fairly dry, and only sufficient water should be given in the winter months to prevent the compost from drying out completely. If
Brunfelsk tatydua has unusual lluwert w hich change colnin from purple to pale lavender.
the plant is treated in this manner it will stand night temperatures as low as 40°F (4°C). Ideally a minimum winter temperature of 50°F (10CC) is recommended, and in a severe winter when day and night temperatures are very low for prolonged periods it might cause the brunfelsia to lose one or two leaves; but if the compost is dry it will not suffer any ill effects at a minimum temperature of 40°F (4QC).
Propagation is carried out in the spring, selecting a half-ripened shoot 2-3 in (5-7.5 cm) and using a soilless rooting compost. When the cutting is about 6 in (15 cm) tall, it should be pinched out. Mature plants should also have their growing tips pinched out in the spring every year, otherwise the plant will tend to grow straggly.
C LI VIA (FAMILY AMARYLLIDACEAE)
Cltvia m i mat a is a greenhouse evergreen which was first introduced to Great Britain in 1823 from South Africa. Formerly it was called ImanwphyUum, but in around 1866, when a new classification was introduced, it was re-named Clb'ia, after Charlotte, Duchess of Northumberland, née Clive, who is said to have been the first to flower the plant in England. It has the common names Kaffir or CafTre lily and
Natal lily, which no doubt were used when it bore its former name, but the use of these has died out now that it has such a simple generic name.
It has very fleshy roots and strap-like leaves of which when it is growing well, it will produce four to six new ones during the growing season. Il flowers in the spring.
Clivias are not difficult to raise from seed, and once you have a plant propagation of further plants can be carrried out by means of offshoots, which frequently form on (lowering size plants. The only drawback to raising your plants from seed is that you will have to wait three or four years before you see it flower. On the other hand flowering-size plants are expensive. In my ignorance of the length of time it lakes the plant to flower, I bought a packet of seeds in 1956 for three shillings. It contained three seeds which I sowed on 9 April 1956, and ail three germinated. It was four years before the first plant flowered, but the tremendous pleasure it gave me was worth all the time I had waited. I still have three clivias which have been propagated from time to time from these original plants. It is necessary to discard plants after a number of years, because they would require very-large pots or tubs and take up too much room in the greenhouse.
Clivias are not demanding plants and require very little attention. Having raised a young plant from seed it should be kept growing steadily throughout the year. A minimum temperature of 45°F (7°C) in the winter will suffice.
During the winter months growth will be very slow and little watering will be required. As the plant grows in size, it should be repotted only when the fleshy roots fill the pot using compost E6or JI No.3. A 6 or 7-in (15 or 17,5-cm) pot will be required by ihe time the plant has reached flowering size, but do not overpot because plants are most likely to bloom when they are pot-bound.
The treatment of mature plants is quite different in so far as ihe plant is rested from mid-autumn until late winter by withholding water. Commence watering again in late winter, and if it is possible to give the plant warmer conditions, say 50-55°F (10- 12°C), at this time it is beneficial, and flowering is more likely to occur. During the resting period clivias only need to be kept frost-free, but when started into growth they need a minimum night temperature of 45°F (7°C) if they are to make any growth.
When the clivia has flowered in spring it should begin to make new leaf growth. It is at this stage that feeding should take place, as well as potting on into a larger pot if required. Clivias which have reached
(lowering size do not necessarily tlower every year because it is not always possible to provide the ideal conditions.
If weather conditions during the winter are abnormally cold during the day as well as at night it is naturally impossible for the amateur grower to provide sufficient heat to meet the plant's minimum growth requirements. When temperatures are too low during the bud formation period it can result in a short flower stem with the flower remaining down in the leaves.
The plants grown today are not the species Clivia miniaia, but varieties or hybrids which have been raised from the species. They are superior to the parent species, and although there are numerous varieties the most common is an orange-coloured flower.
HIBISCUS (FAMILY MALVACEAE)
The evergreen shrub Hibiscus rosa-sinensis has become one of the most popular plants for the house, which is not surprising because it produces most attractive flowers over a long period. It is said to have been discovered in southern China early in the eighteenth century, and it was introduced to Europe m 1731.
In warm climates where it is grown as an outdoor shrub it grows some 10- 15 ft (3-4.5 m), but when pot-grown in the greenhouse young plants are usually about 1-2 ft (30-60 cm).
It will grow bushy naiurally, but should you obtain a plant which is not it will soon respond to pruning of the upper shoots. Older plants should be cut back quite severely in late winter to encourage new growth. The plants have shiny green leaves, and although it is an evergreen it is liable to shed one or two leaves during the winter, particularly if the temperature falls much below 50°F (10°C) (which is the minimum winter temperature recommended).
Actually they will survive when kept in a greenhouse with a minimum temperature of 45°F (7°C) falling to 40°F (4°C) during very cold nights, but they will lose all their leaves and take many months to recover.
Compost E6 or JI No.2 is suitable for hibiscus plants as they arc quite vigorous growers, when enjoying favourable conditions. They need good light, but should be lightly shaded from direct sunlight, and a warm temperature. Care should be
Cltvm mmmla is an elegant plant which flowers in the spring.
Cltvm mmmla is an elegant plant which flowers in the spring.
Hibiiau rem itwniit, Rom of China A ihrohby plant with very »uracil vt flowery
taken not to overwater as this could cause root rot. Hibiscus can be grown very satisfactorily on self-watering trays.
Propagation is by cuttings off the shoots, in autumn or spring, and whether you select cuttings of ripe wood or young green growth you will have to be patient as they take quite some time to root, and you may experience some failures. The plants offered for sale are all varieties or hybrids raised from the species. There are many named varieties, but usually tthe plants are just offered un-named in different colours, ranging from red, pinks and orange shades to bright yellow, in single, semi-double and double flowers.
Hibiiau rem itwniit, Rom of China A ihrohby plant with very »uracil vt flowery
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Laila Leskinen1 year ago
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